Paneer pakora (indian cheese fritters)

Ingredients

• To be mixed into a filling
• 1/2 tsp carom seeds(ajwain), dry roasted and lightly crushed
• 1/4 cup grated onion, squeezed
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 2 tsp crushed and chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp coriander (dhania) powder
• 1 tbsp dry mango powder(amchur)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste
• For the batter
• 1 cup bengal gram flour(besan)
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 pinches asafoetida (hing)
• 1 tbsp hot oil
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves(dhania)
• A pinch soda bi-carb
• Salt to taste
• Other ingredients
• 2 cups paneer (cottage cheese), cut into 1" cubes
• 2 tbsp chaat masalaOil for deep-frying
• Tamarind chutney or Tomato ketchup to serve

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Preparation

• For the batter : Mix all the ingredients together with a little water to make a thick batter. Keep aside.
• How to proceed: Slit the paneer cubes, with the help of a knife, a little more than halfway, but not till the end.
• Sprinkle some chaat masala in between the slit portion of the paneer cubes. Stuff a little filling into each paneer cube with the help of a knife and press well.
• Heat the oil in a kadhai, dip each paneer cube in the batter and deep-fry on a slow flame till golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.
• Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve hot with chutney of your choice or with one of my hot and sweet or sweet and sour dip.