Title: Bhaja
Categories: Appetizer Ethnic
Yield: 5 Servings

BATTER
1	c	Chickpea flour
1/4	ts	Baking soda
1	ts	Turmeric
1/2	ts	Cayenne
2	ts	Coriander, ground
3	ts	Cumin, ground
1	ts	Salt
1 1/2	tb	White or blue poppy seeds
		Oil for deep frying
VEGETABLES
		Choose any or combinations:
		Potatoes, sweet potatoes,
		Cut into 1/4" rounds,
		Eggplant, cut into 1/3" rds

Combine flour, soda, spices in a bowl & slowly add about 1 c water. The batter should be thin. Add poppy seeds to batter just before you are ready to use it & mix in.

Pour enough oil in a wok to come to 2" depth. Heat over a lowish heat.

dip vegetables into batter & fry in single layer in the wok. Fry, stiring occasionally, for about 7 minutes or so. They should be golden on both sides & cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon & drain well on paper towels. Do all vegetables this way. Serve with beer. :)

Adapted from Madhur Jaffrey, "A Taste of India"

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