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Pakoras are a fried snack made with chickpea flour and various fillings such as vegetables, cheese, or poultry. They originated in South Asia but have gained popularity in the US and Europe. Different regions have their own specialty pakoras.
Pakoras are small savory fried snacks that are a central part of South Asian cuisine. They typically consist of chopped or chopped vegetables, cheese, or poultry coated in a chickpea flour-based batter and deep-fried. Beyond this basic definition, there are many varieties of pakoras, and certain regions of India and other South Asian countries have their own specialty pakoras. Although pakoras originated in South Asia, they have also gained some popularity in parts of the United States and Europe.
Perhaps the unifying feature of all pakoras is their deep-fried coating, made from chickpea flour, which is usually referred to in South Asian cuisine as gram flour. This type of flour is made by slowly cooking, cooling and finely grinding the chickpeas. To make pakora batter, gram flour is mixed with water and, in some cases, seasonings like cumin and salt. Often, this batter is mixed rapidly for several minutes, resulting in a light, fluffy coating.
The fillings used in pakoras vary widely. Poultry such as chicken is occasionally used, but as vegetarianism is widespread in South Asia, vegetables and cheese are perhaps the most popular fillings. Commonly used vegetables include potatoes, onions, cauliflower, tomatoes and spinach. In many cases these ingredients are used in combination with each other. When making pakoras, the chosen fillings are finely chopped or minced and then mixed with seasonings or chillies.
Once the filling has been prepared, it is tossed with the gram flour batter mixture and then added in spoonfuls to a preheated air fryer. As each spoonful hits the hot oil, its exterior turns crisp and golden. Depending on the frying time, the inside may remain crispy or soften slightly.
Some regions of India lay claim to their specialties of pakoras. For example, Rajasthan, a state in northwest India, is known for its spicy mirchi bada pakoras, which consist of deep-fried potato-stuffed chillies. Residents of Tamil Nadu on the country’s south coast enjoy pakoras filled with bananas.
The pakora’s popularity extends far beyond South Asia. As South Asian peoples immigrated to countries like England, Scotland, and the United States, they introduced Westerners to the specialties of their local cuisine, and these crunchy snacks are commonly found on Indian and fusion restaurant menus. abroad. In the UK, pakoras are also sometimes sold in fast-food outlets alongside more familiar side dishes, such as potato chips.
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