Cheese Corn Balls (Less Oil) | Appetizers

All of a sudden the temperatures have dropped over the weekends and we were under freeze watch.I wasn't prepared to accept winter so fast as winter makes a gloomy feel.Do you like winters?? I definitely don't except I love watching snow flurries through the window and its a pleasure to see the lawn dressed in white.Snow days are still far but getting prepared is something crucial both mentally and physically.The temperatures dropping down is definitely not meant for people who don't like to be tied up at home esp kids.Fried foods esp the snacks are in demand at home or a bowl of soup atleast to warm up.However,clicking pics takes a back seat as there are more of cloudy or 'no sun' days.Appetizers or starters are an important part of menu for pot lucks,birthday parties or get togethers.I think all age groups love appetizers may that be kids or adults.At home,we all love too and sometimes these can be served as just snacks too.However all Indian appetizers are mostly deep fried in oil and so we tend to avoid appetizers in the menu.For this recipe,I made use of my paniyaram non stick pan that hardly takes up any oil.They turned out to be crispy and delicious.You can always deep fry if you are running out of time as paniyaram pan takes time to cook and then flip.Try these out and enjoy !!


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Preparation time~20 mins
Cooking time~25 mins
Serves~ 20-22 balls

Ingredients
sweet corn 1 cup
grated mozarella cheese 1/2 cup
potato 1 medium sized
bread crumbs 1/4 cup
corn starch 1tbsp
oregano 1/2 tsp
pepper powder 1tsp
cilantro chopped 2tbsp
salt to taste

to coat
bread crumbs 1/2 cup
maida/all purpose flour 1/2 cup
water to make thick paste

oil to fry

Method

• Wash and boil the potatoes in a pressure cooker for three whistles or until cooked with a little salt and a pinch of turmeric powder.Peel off skin and mash the potatoes very well until the mixture looks soft.
• I used frozen corn and so didn't cook the corn,thawed and used.If using fresh corn,then steam cook for 5 mins until its soft.Reserve 1/3 cup of corn and add the remaining 2/3 in the blender,pulse twice just to get a coarse paste(helps to bind).Add to a bowl with the reserved corn(make sure the corn has very less moisture in it,drain any water present).
• In the same bowl,add the cheese,oregano,pepper powder,salt and bread crumbs(1/4 cup or more if you have more moisture left).Finally add softly mashed potatoes and corn starch.Mix well and form soft balls of gooseberry size.
• In another bowl,mix the maida and water to make a thick paste to coat the balls.Now,dip each ball in this paste and roll them in bread crumbs.Repeat the same step till you finish all balls.

• Heat the paniyaram pan and add half a tsp of oil in each hole.When it is hot,add the balls.Roll the balls in the oil immediately  so that the round surfaces are coated with oil and then cook on medium flame until each side is crisp(keep rotating the balls so that all surfaces look evenly browned.Also,be careful when turning all sides as the cheese is melted and is gooey.So any extra pressure on the balls will break the cheese balls and will not hold shape).
• Repeat the same step until all cheese balls are fried.Drain on paper towels and serve warm with ketchup.

NOTES
* Adding a few corn kernels adds a nice crunch in between but if you don't wish that way,you can always make coarse paste of the whole mixture.
* Adding bread crumbs to the filling is optional,I had used frozen corn so the moisture was present.But if you use fresh corn,you can leave out the bread crumbs.
*If you don't have a paniyaram pan,then shallow fry using less oil or deep fry as per preference.Deep frying requires less time but uses more oil.
* I have used mozarella cheese but you can use any processed cheese or mix two cheese and use.You can even reduce the cheese to 1/3rd cup.
* Alternatively,you can use green peas to make the similar balls instead of using corn too.

A few more veg appetizer recipes that are a  hit at home-
* Hot Chilli Gobi
* Veg Puffs
* Stuffed Mushroom
* Baked Vegetable Cutlets
* Goat Cheese Tartlette
* Italian Bruschetta
* Pizza Pin wheels