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Mung bean pakora with green chutney

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I've been cooking lots of Indian food lately for friends, especially Northern styles, and thought I'd share recipes I've come up with from lots of experimentation, online searches and this friendly auntie's website.  This is an absolutely delicious snack and can be made in advance and fried and put together when company comes over or if you just want something wonderful.

mung bean pakora

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you'll need

1 cup whole mung beans, soaked overnight

medium onion, diced

teaspoon ground coriander seed

3-4 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

teaspoon salt

pinch of whole cilantro leaves

teaspoon chaat masala*

1/2 teaspoon asafetida*

oil for frying
 

In food processor or blender, coarsely grind mung beans until most, but not all beans, are pulverized.  Scoop mixture into bowl.  Add flour a tablespoon at a time or until batter is stiff enough to form.  Add all remaining ingredients and mix together well.  Heat a few inches worth of oil in a saucepan on medium.  While oil is reaching temperature, roll 1 inch sized balls and pat into fat disks (see above picture)  Fry 5 or 6 at a time until outside is deep golden colored, around 3-4 minutes.  Set aside on paper towels.  (Batter keeps for a couple of days.)

perfect green chutney

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you'll need

chopped cilantro leaves and stems, around 3 loose cups

3-4 chopped small green chili

juice of one whole lemon

tablespoon diced ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon whole cumin seed

1 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon asafetida*

Heat oil in pan and gently fry asafetida and cumin seed.  Once the cumin is toasted, remove from heat and allow to cool in pan.  Add all ingredients to blender and top with cooled oil and cumin seed mixture.  Blend well.  Add more cilantro, if needed, to achieve a chunky and less liquid texture.  Serve with above pakoras.

* chaat masala can be bought or made from scratch and asafetida can be found in Indian markets.  There is no specific substitute, so you can leave them out if you cannot find them.