Crispy fried Aubergine & Okra Bhajis

Onx's Crispy Fried Aubergine and Okra Bhajis

I made this recipe up really quickly when I had some visitors from Somerset and it came out really nice. I served it with a tamarind chutney. You can serve it with ketchup or my raita if you like. nice

Ingredients

3 small thin aubergines, thinly sliced
250g okra, cut into 1/2cm pieces
1 cup of gram flour ( chick pea flour)
1 tblsp cayenne pepper
1.5 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tblsp rice flour
1 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp ajwain seeds (available in most shops)
2 tblsp ground nut oil
oil for deep frying
3/4 cup of water

Method

wash the aubergine and okra and put aside.
sift the gram flour, rice flour, turmeric and cayenne into a bowl.
add the salt, pepper and oil.
mix the ingredients together, then rub it using your hands until it looks like fine breadcrumbs.
add water and mix into a runny batter consistency (a little thicker than double cream).
add the aubergines and okra and mix throughly.
heat the oil in a wok ready for deep frying.
chuck a 1/2 inch piece of bread into the oil and if the bread sizzles and becomes golden brown the oil is ready.
now put a tablespoon of the mixture into the oil and fry for about 5 minutes turning a few times.

remove the bhaji and place on kitchen paper to remove the excess oil. taste. check the seasoning and adjust if required.

if you are happy, cook the rest of the bhajis in batches of 4-5.

eat while hot and enjoy.

wicked.