Veg Kothe: An Indo-Chinese delight

Veg Kothe is a new Indo-Chinese appetizer/snack dish. I personally savored Veg Kothe at a wedding reception in India recently. I, then, went to the chef to know the details of this tangy spicy delight. The chef was kind enough to give me the detailed recipe, with all the ingredients and method, the very next day. The recipe is accurate, as I tried making Veg Kothe in my kitchen few times and each time it comes out perfect. So for this recipe the credit goes to;

Mr. Bansilalji Chaudhary

Master Chef, Hotel Rhythm Palace [Amrit Garden]

Ratlam, MP, India

Ingredients:

For Veg Kothe: [6 servings approx.]

Cauliflower (Gobhi) ? 1 cup very small pieces

Mushroom ? ½ cup finely chopped

Green bell pepper – ½ cup finely chopped

Cabbage – ½ cup finely chopped

Onions ? 2 cups finely chopped

Ginger – 1.5 tbsp finely chopped

Garlic – 1.5 tbsp finely chopped

Green spring onions – 1 bunch chopped

Fresh green chilies ? 2 minced

Fresh cilantro ? 2 tbsp fine chopped [for garnish]

Maida [All purpose flour] ? 1 cup

Baking powder ? 1 tsp

Ajinomoto [Chinese salt] ? ¼ tsp

Tomato ketchup -2 tbsp

Honey ? 1 tbsp

Lemon juice ? 2 tbsp freshly squeezed

Black pepper -1 tsp freshly ground

Orange food color ? 1 pinch

Cooking oil for frying

Salt as per taste

Method:

Cut cauliflower, cabbage, green bell pepper, mushrooms accordingly. Keep aside.
In a bowl, add Maida, salt, baking powder, all the above chopped vegetables and 1 cup chopped onions. Now add water to make a thick batter. Mix well.
In a pan heat cooking oil to fry. Make fritters of this batter, deep fry till they turn light golden. Drain on a kitchen towel and keep aside.
In another pan heat 2 tbsp cooking oil. Add remaining chopped onions, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Sauté till it turns golden brown. Now add tomato ketchup, honey, ajinomoto, salt, lemon juice and freshly grounded black pepper powder. Mix well and it?s ready to serve.

Garnish:

Garnish Veg Kothe with freshly chopped green spring onions and chopped cilantro. Enjoy as an appetizer or anytime snack.