This is a great party snack for kids and adults alike. Who can resist the golden, crispy goodness of bajjis?!.
The basic recipe for all South Indian bajji is the same - we mix some chillies and spices with besan flour, dip the vegetable of choice, and deep fry them. The consistency of the batter is important, it shouldn't be too watery or the bajji will drink up oil. If it's too thick, the bajji will turn hard. Ok, don't let all of this scare you away because with a little practise, you can make great South Indian style bajji yourself.
Vazhakkai Bajji Recipe
Serves 4
Vazhakka / Raw bananas - 2
Besan / Kadala mavu / Chickpea flour - 2 cups
Whole jeera / jeerakam / cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Hing / Asafoetida / kaayam - 2 pinches
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Water - enough to make a thick batter
Oil - to deep fry
How to Make Vazhakkai Bajji
1. Cut the banana midway and then slice them length-wise. The idea is to get thin (really thin!) slices of them about 4 inches long.
2. Mix the chilli, salt, hing, jeera and besan well in a bowl and make a thick batter with just enough water. Make sure the consistency is a bit thicker than pancake / dosa batter, but not too thick that it doesn't leave your hand when you raise it above the bowl.
3. Heat oil until nice and warm. Dip the banana slices in the batter and make sure its coated on all sides. Drop gently into the hot oil and wait for 2 mins before turning them over.
4. When the bajjis turn golden brown, transfer to a tissue-lined container and serve immediately with some steaming tea.
Vazhakkai Bajji goes well with tomato sauce / ketchup and the monsoon rains. Enjoy hot!
Cynthia
So it is a combination of salt and sweet then? savoury on the outside and the sweet from the banana inside? I love combos like those with textures and flavours.
DEESHA
that makes a perfect tea time snack
Uma
Lovely picture. So mouth-watering.
anudivya
Looks great Nags! Adding baking soda makes it a little less doughy. I love both kinds.
Ramya's Mane Adige
ooooooooooo, the pic is lovely!!!!!! Just perfect for these terrible winter evenings!!
Suganya
My neighbour, back in India, used to add a tbsp of urad flour. Here bhajjis were downright fluffy. She prepares a special bhajji mix, which makes unbelievably puffy, tasty bhajjis. And it didn't even cross me to ask for the recipe when I met her this time. We were so teary-eyed.. sob sob.
RAKS KITCHEN
I too make in similar way,only that we add a tbs of rice flour! looks so tempting!
Tina
Hi Nags..im also from kerela.... this looks soooooo yummy....kothivarunnundu kettooo...
Kitchen Flavours
Wow looks yummy. Perfect snacky with evening tea or coffee.
Happy cook
It looks so yumm, i would love to have few of them now