When you can’t get to Kebabeesh, or you forget to order one of our take home meals, you can still experience a little bit of your favourite Indian restaurant in Bradford with this special onion bhagi recipe.

The bhagi – sometimes spelt bhaji or bajji – is a spicy fried vegetable dish from India. The word itself is

simply Hindi for fried vegetables. In some Indian states, bhagis are known as pakora, which means vegetables in flour.

Originally served as an accompaniment to a main dish, bhagis are also served as entrees or snacks. If you go to West Bengal, for example, you’ll be able to buy them from the street stalls and roadside vendors. Bhagis are also popular festival foods and comfort snacks – perfect with a hot cup of tea!

You can make bhagis – or pakora – with any vegetable. Right now, we’re going to show you how to make your own authentic onion bhagis, Kebabeesh-style.

Ingredients
2 medium-sized onions, chopped
7g root ginger, chopped or grated
2 curry leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1-2 whole green chilli, chopped
8 tablespoon gram flour
¼ bunch fresh coriander, chopped
¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon ground tumeric
1 tablespoon butter

Method

1. Heat either a wok or deep fat frier to around 180°C
2. Melt the butter and mix together with the onions, garlic, green chilli(s), curry leaves and ginger
3. Add the gram flour, chilli powder, coriander and fennel seeds, with salt to taste, and mix until nice and thick and capable of holding the shape of small, rounded, bhagi-sized balls
4. Check the temperature of the oil by dropping a small spoon of mixture in – when ready it will sizzle and float to the top
5. Using moistened hands, drop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture into the oil four at a time and fry until golden brown
6. Drain the bhagi on a sheet of kitchen towel and serve, preferably with our mint raita.

That’s all there is to it!

Remember, if you have any questions about this or any other Kebabeesh recipe, we’ll be happy to answer them next time you call in for a meal. It’s our mission to help you experience the true taste of India and Pakistan.