Pakoras with Pineapple Chutney, Yogurt Sauce, and Spicy Sauce
Pakoras are a popular Indian appetizer typically made with chickpea flour and deep-fried in oil. In this recipe, we will bake them in the oven for a healthier twist, served with three delicious sauces: a well-spiced pineapple chutney, a spicy tomato sauce, and a refreshing yogurt and mint sauce to cool the heat! You can prepare pakoras with various vegetables such as potatoes, onions, eggplant, and bell peppers.
Ingredients
For the Pakoras:
- 1 eggplant
- 2 green bell peppers
- 1 onion
- 3 tablespoons chickpea flour
- 1 natural yogurt (optional, can be replaced with water)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
- 1 crushed clove
- 5-6 sprigs of fresh cilantro
- Salt
For the Sauces
- 1 Greek yogurt (or soy yogurt)
- 1 bunch of mint
- 1/2 lemon
- Salt
- 150 ml of fried tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
- A few drops of balsamic vinegar
For the Chutney
- 100 g fresh pineapple
- 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: Mix the chickpea flour with the spices and herbs. Add the yogurt (or about 150 ml of water) and stir until it reaches a thick batter consistency. Dice the vegetables into small pieces and fold them into the batter. Use two spoons to form small balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, flatten slightly, drizzle with olive oil, and bake at 220°C (428°F) for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare the Sauces:
- Yogurt Sauce: Mix the yogurt with finely chopped mint, salt, and the juice of half a lemon. Chill in the refrigerator.
- Spicy Sauce: Heat the tomato puree, add the chili powder, 3-4 drops of Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of vinegar, then simmer for 30 seconds. Set aside.
- Pineapple Chutney: Chop the pineapple into very small pieces and cook it with the sugar in a saucepan. Once caramelized, add the vinegar, Sichuan pepper, a splash of water, and let simmer on low heat until the pineapple softens (about 10-15 minutes).
- Serve: Enjoy the pakoras hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with the three sauces.
Veggie+
Chickpea flour is not only rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber but also gluten-free. Additionally, it has a low glycemic index, making it ideal for diabetics.