Bhajias two-ways with applebutter chutney

I keep thinking I'm going to have an epiphany of an awesome intro to these amazing bhajias (chickpea flour fritters), but I never come up with anything better than, these are delicious and next time you break out the home deep fryer, put these on the list (as evidenced terrible writer's block). On a recent visit back to NC (which geographically falls in the southeast, ahem, Sara) my friend, Nick (who is basically the best cook ever - you too Nico), made sweet potato fries spiced with brown sugar, garlic, and a pleasant dusting of cinnamon, half a dozen pizzas, and amazing sweet potato latkes (it should be noted that the fries were the only thing that went into the fryer). Since getting back to Belgium I've been in a rare no writing funk. I honestly think I'm reverse homesick.

These bhajias are filled with minced onion and chilies (chili's, chile's, sp?). My mom swears by using wheat germ in the batter because they soak up less oil and produce a crispy batter with bite. Sara are you still reading? Because you have to make these and bring the deep fryer back. Then as if those spiced ones weren't good enough, we went and made another batter for banana bhajias. Oh hell yes we did. Served with some apple butter chutney these are best served immediately. Random side note, go and listen to the new Drake album (solid throughout), and then when you are done, go listen to Yelawolf (I'm a big fan of the tracks in the middle of the album).


Bhajias two ways with applebutter chutney
(chickpea flour fritters)
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup diced onion, fine dice

1-2 jalapenos, sliced very fine

3/4 cup chickpea, or besan, flour

1/2 cup wheat germ, fine ground

1/2 tsp sanchar (contains black salt, pepper, and citric acid), optional

1/8 tsp citric acid powder 

1/2 - 1 tsp garam masala 

1/4 tsp or more red chili powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp yogurt

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tbsp brown sugar

oil, such as peanut oil, enough to fry

Directions:

Mix everything (onion through brown sugar) together and add enough water to make it pasty. Heat up oil in a fryer. Once hot drop heaping teaspoonfuls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. 

Apple butter chutney

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp coriander

1 tsp fresh lime or lemon juice

water to thin

1/2 cup apple butter

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients. Taste to adjust for seasonings. 

Banana Bhajias

(Chickpea fritters with bananas)

Ingredients:

1-2 firm bananas, sliced into wide coins

1/4 tsp turmeric

water to make pasty

1/2 cup chickpea flour (preferably black chickpea flour because it is finer)

1/2 - 1 cup wheat germ, fine ground

water to make it pasty

1-2 tbsp yogurt

oil, such as peanut oil, enough to fry. 

Directions:

Mix everything together and add enough water to make it pasty. Heat up oil in a fryer. Drop the banana coins into the batter and carefully drop them into the hot oil; fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to a glass dish lined with paper towels.