Peyaji (Pyaj ke pakode/ Onion Fritters)
11:32 AM
As much as I love Monsoon I hate to admit that am not that fond of fried stuffs that’s generally served during the season. I have always averted these as a weight watcher and now that I have grown double in size I still cant make myself love it. Its never regular on our plate rather we indulge in it very occasionally.
But Monsoon definitely calls for something warm and crisp so when last weekend my
Cusin brother came to visit us with his family I decided to show some deep fried love as snack, which translated into Bengali’s most favourite piyanji or onion fritter. Ask my Dad, who even after his angioplasty loves to bring home a greasy packet full of telebhaja (deep fried fritters) from his way back from office. Its another matter that now a days he gets a good bashing from all of us and most often than not that packet finds it’s place in the bin. But then we have to indulge him with some shallow fried or baked stuff like this.
Though am not very fond of these but this monsoon am going to share some of my favourite deep fries that I like to snack on sometimes. Telebhaja for Bengalis generally refers to any savory item which has been deep fried. It could be batter fried vegetables like beguni (batter fried slices brinjal), kumro fuler bora (pumpkin flower fritter), stuffed fries like samosa or savory cakes like vegetable chop, fish chops and cutlets. Telebhaja plays a very important role in begali cuisine. Not only is a very significant evening snack but it also is served as an accompaniment for dal-chawal (rice and lentil) during a proper meal.
Telebhaja or deep fried savory fritter is the most popular snacking item for Bengalis. The matter that it pairs well with our most favourite snack muri (puffed rice), gives it a huge fan following. Go to any place big or small, posh or poor you will definitely see many telebhaja dokan. They operate from various levels. The street side vendors mostly sell their stuff from a thatched roofed pavement shop or a handheld cart. In posh localities the same fritters are sold on fine china with a hefty proice tag. But at the end of the day its all the same. Personally I belive mineral water in the batter does not give it a better taste ;-)
Today ams haring the easiest of all the telebhaja and the one and only piyanji. This is very popular all over the world. Some call it piyanji, some call it pyaj ke pakode and even some call it pyaj ke kebab, but at the end of the day its onion fritters. The best part of this fritter is if you are not too much worried about the presentation read the look of it you can actually cook it in lesser oil. In that case fry them in a non-stick pan on very low heat. It would be little charred on the outside but will still taste good.
Piyaji/ piyanji/ peyanji
(makes 7-8)
Ingredients:
Onion: 1 big or 2 small
Green chillies: 2-3; totally depends on your preference and tolerence of heat.
Nigella seeds: 1/3 tsp
Chick pea flour / besan: 3 tbsp (more or less, adjust the thickness of the batter)
Bi card of soda: 1/8 tsp
Salt
Oil
Method:
Wash, peel and very finely chop the onion in half moon shape. Place these in a big bowl and salt. Mash with your hands so that juices start to come out form the onion. Chop the green chillies very finely and add.
Rub the nigella seeds in your palm and add to the onions. Add all the other ingredients except the oil. Mix well and start adding water 1 tsp at a time. The batter would be thick and should coat the chopped onions well.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a non-stick pan and place a table spoonful of the mixture. Keep the flame to medium.
After a minute or so turn the fritters and press gently with your spatula to flatten them. Fry till crisp on both sides.
After a minute or so turn the fritters and press gently with your spatula to flatten them. Fry till crisp on both sides.
Serve out of the pan with ketchup or the way Bengalis love ti with puffed rice and sautéed green chilies.
Enjoy with a hot cup of masala tea while the rain entertains you with her beautiful tap dance.
A homemaker’s note:
Do not make the batter and fry it later. The onions will release lots of water and will make the batter watery. Make it fresh, fry and enjoy.
If kids are involved then give the green chilies a miss.
Events:
Definitely goes to Jagruti's JCO, Celebrate-Monsoon of India, hosted this month at A homemaker's Diary.
Also to Kid's delight; snacks. Srivallis monthly event this month being hosted at Cook's joy.
Also to Kid's delight; snacks. Srivallis monthly event this month being hosted at Cook's joy.
tags:
fritter. fritters recipe, savory fritter recipes, onion fritters, how to make onion fritters, onion fritters recipe, indian style onion fritters, fritters with chickpea flour, besan ke pakode, pyaj ke pakode recipe, pyaj pakoda, payaj wale pakode, peanji, pianji, piyaji, piyanji, peyanji, peyaji, banagli piyaji recipe, crispy fried onion fritters, apple fritters recipe, pyaj ke kebab, payj ke kabab.
Posts
31 comments
Crispy and delicious pakode...Love the feel of eating hot pakode with a steaming hot cup of tea and pouring rain outside...
ReplyDeleteThe fritters look too good. The presentation is fabulous :)
ReplyDeletewhen can I visit you ? droolworthy and yummy pakora..:-)perfect for your event !!
ReplyDeleteJagruti's Cooking Odyssey
Know Your Flours-Whole Wheat Flours
Grind your cooking Masala
eta ki holo? ta bole piyaji!!! ekhon amar jive jol aasche.. pet sur sur korche.. uff!!! ki korbo? jaak chai khai.. kintu setao to nijeke banate hobe.. :(..
ReplyDeleteOnion pakoda fried with 2 tablespoon oil. I am in. Love to have it with my tea.Delicious.
ReplyDeleteNice love the texture !!
ReplyDeletelovly evening snake. Shallow frying sounds good :)
ReplyDeletehaa haa haa ei to sei jinish..ja jug jug dhore rosod jugiyechhe koto addar..khide mitiyechhe koto coaching class ferot chhattrer..shakkhi thekechhe koto misti premer..songi hoyechhe koto nisshongo sondher...momer aloy besto hate porikkhar khata dekhte dekhte koto sikkhok paper er bodole khujechhe piyaji..sofay bose cinema dekhar moja bariyechhe piyaji..kagojer thongay nun chhetay ghor borshay probol grisshe kalche korar lalchhe tele jonmo niyechhe PIYAJI..tomare selam!!
ReplyDeleteThats a beautiful comment Bhakt. sudhu jantam ne je Peyanji khete khete prem o kora jay. duto kaji ato involving...ami generally coffee khete khtei oi kajta korechi :-)
ReplyDeleteJust the right ( lets overlook the unhealthy part!! :-) snack for a rainy day. Mouthwatering.
ReplyDeleteGive me that whole plate, drooling here.
ReplyDeletewow!! looks so crispy...
ReplyDeleteplz will u give onion fritters with your tea?
if u have time plz visit my space n join with me
VIRUNTHU UNNA VAANGA
I love these yummy pakodas with curd rice. Nicely presented
ReplyDeleteohh can there be anything more soulfull than this and some gorom gorom chaa...and a good golpor boyi :)
ReplyDeleteLooks so crispy..nice one..
ReplyDeleteLooks very tempting, cant hold myself to eat them....wonderful
ReplyDeleteKindly visit my blog @ Manidipa's Kitchen for more recipes
crispy n yummy snack
ReplyDeletewow fried onion fritters with a cup of masala chai is a devine combination on a rainy day...Cannot resist the pics,they are so tempting....
ReplyDeletethats very healthier than deep fried one.. looks very good
ReplyDeleteSo happy to discover your space. Thanks for hopping over to my blog and leaving your kind words for me. That Peyaji with kashondi is making me drool! It's raining heavily but already past midnight here. The photos make me hungry!:-)
ReplyDeleteYummy and crispy fitters,perfect tea time snack.
ReplyDeleteThis fritters reminded me of the pouring rainy days...eating this on a rainy day would be heavenly for me :)
ReplyDeleteSayantani I loved the new header so Bengali! About the Peyaji I make a version with onion and tomato just like this. Makes good for additions to Kadhi too.
ReplyDeleteLooks so crispy and yummy.
ReplyDeleteWow...Peyajita dekhei jibe jol ese jachhe. Monsoon er bikaler jnyo perfect.
ReplyDeleteCuisine Delights
My Monthly Event - Spotlight:Curries/Gravies".
:) na na..khete khete prem korar kothat bolini..but piyaji kora ar prem kora dutor bhetor ki kothao mil nei??prem korar recipe tao to piyaji korar motoi..tai na..?
ReplyDeletegirish park e niranjan dokan ta cheno? devil ar fish fry ta try koro konodin.
delightful!
ReplyDeleteOH these look so amazing!! Love your recipes!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of fried stuff too, but i cant say no to home made pakoras! These look yum!
ReplyDeletebrishti and peyanji r ek cup cha..r ki chaye mon ..lovely ..hugs
ReplyDeleteHealthy way of making pakodas. Thx for linking.
ReplyDeleteVardhini
Event: Kid's Delight
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