World on a plate: Indian

Bharat Jamnadas hosts a popular cooking segment on the TV show Asia Downunder and is chef for today's World on a Plate event at Auckland Museum. A dish popular in most parts of India and South Asia is pakora, a savoury vegetable fritter containing some of the most frequently used spices in Indian cuisine.

Bharat's pakora recipe

Ingredients

2 cups	Besan (chickpea flour) (Main)
1 tsp	Garam masala
½ tsp	Ground turmeric
½ tsp	Chilli powder
1 tsp	Salt
3 cloves	Garlic
½ cup	Fresh coriander
4 cups	Vegetables
1	Lemon
1 to taste	Vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a bowl mix together the besan, garam masala, turmeric, chilli powder and salt.
2. Add the lemon juice and gradually add enough water to make a thick batter.
3. Add the garlic, chopped coriander leaves and chopped vegetables into the batter and mix thoroughly.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan.
5. Drop teaspoons of the batter in a pan, about 10 at a time, and deep fry until they are brown all over and cooked through.
6. Drain well on paper towels. Serve with chutneys.