Banana Pepper Fritters | Mulakku Bajji

Chilly breezy weathers are the perfect time to enjoy hot crispy snacks especially pakoras/fritters.What more do you wish,a cup of tea too?? Yup..I know,that's true with everyone so is with my family.Though fried snacks adds to your  body fat but at times we just ignore the health aspects for enjoying the crisp fried snacks and to seduce our satisfaction.Mulaku bhajji /banana pepper fritters are just another tempting snack with a cup of tea /coffee.A very simple recipe and can be done without much preparations.Try n enjoy in this weather if you still haven't given this a chance !!

Ingredients
banana pepper /bajji chillies 6
tamarind 1lemon size
oil to deep fry
to make batter
gram flour/ besan (smooth powder) 1 1/2 cup
turmeric powder 1/3 tsp
chilly powder 1/2 tsp
asafoetida/ hing /kayam podi 1/3 tsp
carom seeds/ ajwain 1/2 tsp crushed
water 1/2-3/4 cup
salt 1/2 tsp

banana peppers (left) 

Method
-Wash and cut the pepper/chillies lengthwise keeping the stalks intact. Deseed if desired (I do)and keep aside.
-Soak the tamarind in 1 cup of water and 1 tsp of salt.Squeeze the pulp and pour it in a shallow plate or  pan.Add the chillies to it.Leave for 10 minutes.(refer notes)

Soaked in tamarind water(extreme right top) & batter (lower right)

-In the meantime,heat oil in a wok or pan.Keep on medium flame.
-Also,prepare the batter using the ingredients mentioned above as of dosa batter consistency.
-Drain the peppers/chillies from the tamarind soaked water completely and then dip each pepper in the prepared batter.Cover all sides fully.
-Place it in the hot oil and using a slotted spoon,turn all sides to evenly cook and wait till it turns golden brown.
-Drain on a paper towel and serve hot with ketchup or any other dip !!

Servings ~ 6 bhajji/fritters

NOTES
* The chillies are dipped in tamarind water to remove off the excess spice.
* You may even cut it lenghtwise into two and dip it in batter.