Indian Yam Fritters Classic Crunch Patties Recipes

PAKORA (INDIAN VEGETABLE FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Make batter: Place chickpea flour in a bowl with the spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, chilli). Slow whisk in the water.
• Mix in Vegetables: Add potato, cauliflower, onion, ginger, chilli and coriander. Mix well with a wooden spoon. It should be a thick batter, almost paste-like.
• Preheat oven to 80°C/175°F - to keep cooked pakoras warm. Set a rack over a tray.
• Heat oil: Heat 4cm / 1.5" oil in a large heavy based pot to 180°C/350°F (Note 6).
• Form patties: Drop 2 tbsp of batter roughly formed into a patty shape into the oil. I use my hands (as is typical in India!) but you can also use 2 tablespoons (be careful of splash-age). Don't crowd the pot, it will lower the temperature too much.
• Fry pakoras: Fry 2 - 3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels. Keep cooked pakoras hot in the oven on a rack set over a tray.
• Serve: Serve pakoras with Coriander Mint Sauce or Minted Yogurt Sauce!

YUCCA BLACK BEAN FRITTERS / CRUNCH PATTIES

Steps:

• Peel and wash the yucca. Cut into pieces.
• Boil in salted water for about 15-20 minutes or until tender. (shorter time if you use a pressure cooker; which is just a dream in my current ghetto kitchen that has no $%*#@ space.).
• Plop the tender yucca pieces into the food processor. Add the flour as well. Rinse and drain the black beans and put them in too.
• Continuously pulse until the ingredients have pureed together-- but not entirely pureed, about halfway. There needs to be some whole beans and yucca chunks in there or else there's nothing to chew on.
• Add the spices, and butter or oil and pulse again until melded.
• If your food processor is a pain in the @$$ like mine, chances are some large yucca chunks and whole black beans are in there too. This is fine, I actually found this really added to the texture and flavor.
• With your hands, form patties about the size of yo-yos. There should be about 15-20 of them.
• Let the patties sit for a while (about 10 minutes. In my case, I had to run to class so I put them in a container in the fridge for 2 hours and fried them up when I returned.).
• Pour canola oil in a frying pan and make sure the oil doesn't get too hot.
• Fry the patties in the oil, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
• Blot on paper towels and serve with salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole or your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.

CRISPY YAM FRIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high and season generously with salt.
• Fill a large bowl with water. Working quickly to avoid oxidation, slice off the ends of the yam and peel the brown skin. Cut the yam into 3/4-inch-thick rounds and transfer to the bowl. Once sliced and peeled, cut each piece into 1/2-inch-wide matchsticks, slicing a few rounds at a time and transferring matchsticks back to the water. (You should get about 5 to 8 sticks per piece.)
• Working in batches, drop the matchsticks into the simmering water and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the hot water and transfer to a rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Repeat the blanching and draining process for the remaining matchsticks.
• Fill a large skillet with 1 inch of canola oil. (You'll need about 4 cups for a 10-inch skillet.) Heat the oil over medium-high until it registers 350 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Working in two or three batches to avoid crowding, and replenishing the oil as needed, fry the yam matchsticks, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on a baking sheet set with paper towels or a rack. Season the fries with salt.
• Serve fries warm, with some obe ata or your preferred condiment for dipping.