PIYAJI RECIPE

PIYAJI (ONION FRITTERS), is a mouth-watering delicacy which no one can resist. The taste will be doubled in monsoon when served along with crispy puffed rice & hot hot tea. This is another awesome snack recipe in Odisha & West Bengal…... which is also very famous in various parts of India. In Odisha it is also known as baadiya piyaji. 'Baadiya' means to press. Piyaji means onion fritters. As we need to fry the onion fritters once, take it out before its fully cooked, press  it with the palms & again deep fry one more time..dats why the name is "Baadia piyaji".

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Chana dal /Bengal gram
• 2 tablespoon Rice flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh Mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh Coriander leaves, chopped
• 2 Green chilies
• 3-4 Onions
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 pinch Ajwain seeds
• 1 pinch Sugar
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying
• 1 teaspoon Chat masala

METHOD:

• Soak the chana dal for 5-6 hours. Wash and grind into a thick and coarse paste along with garlic and a little water.
• Add roughly chop onions and green chillies.
• Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, carom seeds, salt, chopped coriander, chopped mint, 1 teaspoon chaat masala and rice flour. Mix well using sufficient water to make a thick mixture.
• Heat sufficient oil in a kadai.
• Damp your palms and divide onion mixture into large equal portions shaped into balls (piyaji). Deep-fry piyaji in hot oil till they turn light brown colour. Bring them out from oil.
• Press them with the help of your palm and make thin patties & again slip it into the hot oil. Deep-fry these flattened piyajis till crisp and golden. Drain on absorbent paper.
• Transfer piyajis on a serving plate, sprinkle chaat masala on top and serve hot along with ghuguni or tomato sauce or puffed rice & tea.