Hello my lovelies!! Did anyone miss me? On second thought don’t answer that. I have missed you guys and am sorry that I haven’t been able to come by and read all your stories. Life has taken a crazy, hectic turn these days. I hope to raze through my inbox this week to catch up so please bear with me!
Talking about emails and inboxes, for some reason, I’ve been having problems receiving my emails from blogs hosted on the Blogger platform. They were all ending up in the spam box and I’d have to go in and retrieve them. Well now, I don’t even get the emails. All my subscriptions to Blogger hosted blogs are gone. Thankfully, I am getting notified through Facebook but all your emails are not getting to me. I will be by to resubscribe, but please leave me a comment! I am frazzled as is and can’t remember everyone who is on Blogger.
So, I’ve been busy in the kitchen but not my kitchen. I’ve been having a wonderfully, busy summer with the appliance company my husband works for and they’ve been keeping me quite occupied. I was called in last minute to save a BBQ they were hosting for clients and as I rode in on my white horse, I could see the expression of gratefulness and relief from the associates! Apparently, no one was quite ready to try out the new grill and the thought of grilling endless amounts of meat instead of guzzling endless amounts of alcohol was not as thrilling. I was a welcome sight.
I had my own fun, of course. Trying out the new Viking grill was pretty awesome. One word; hot. That grill is powerful and hot, and the one I used wasn’t even their top of the line! Retailing at $5000, it’s a pretty sweet grill, would I buy one if I could? Probably not. I’m happy with my $300 Kenmore and my faithful Weber.
The end of June also saw the start of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan. My fasts have been going well despite the heat and the long, long, long days. I have been more fatigued than hungry. The early morning rising to eat breakfast at 3 am and then the late dinner have been taking their toll. But the rewards for this month are endless and so we suck it up! If you’d like to read more about the holy month of Ramadan and our customs, please check out my post from last year, which happens to be about the onion version of these bhajiyas.
Though Ramadan is a month of not eating, it also ends up being the month of best eating. Crispy savoury bites, soft cloud like sweets, fruit and refreshing drinks all adorn the Iftar table. Iftar is the breaking of the fast meal. It differs around the world, and some are just over the top and some are more sensible. I’ve never been the one to over do it and my Iftar meals are very simple. Lately, it’s been a fruit smoothie, dates, water and some fruit. We then eat some dinner, and barely have any time to relax before it’s bed time. I haven’t even made it to the mosque for the evening prayers but one time so far.
I am also gluten free right now so I’m sorely missing my samosas, egg rolls and other savoury delights. I, however, can have pakoras or bhajiyas because they use garbanzo flour. Lucky for me, they are my faves during Ramadan anyway. Quick to make and you don’t need special sheets etc. Make extra of these cauliflower fritters to nibble on and put the rest in the curry.
For me Ramadan, as far as food goes, is about comfort food. I crave foods of my youth. The first night I made chicken korma with rice, ultimate comfort food for me (in contrast, my husband’s request was tacos! We had tacos the 2nd night) The other night, I was craving this Dahi Ki Kadhi, a creamy, tart yoghurt curry, lightly spiced, tempered with chillies and cumin seeds and embedded with crispy bhajiyas or fritters. Any vegetable fritter would work but I was able to acquire some field fresh cauliflower from Isabelle Farm. My mother used to make the best yoghurt curry; simply spiced, vibrantly yellow and perfectly tart. I’m just happy that I can recreate her recipe and all of a suddenly she’s sitting with me. It was one of her favourites and it’s one of mine.
Rating
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 6-8 servings
- 2 cups garbanzo flour or besan
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne chilli powder (optional)
- 2 teaspoons chaat masala (optional, but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ginger, minced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ Serrano or jalapeño chilli, chopped fine
- salt to taste
- 1 cup water. may need more to thin out batter
- ½ head cauliflower, about 4 cups florets
- 3-4 cups oil to fry
- 2 cups yoghurt, plain, full fat preferred
- 2 heaping tablespoons besan or garbanzo flour,
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- ¼ cup oil, I use avocado oil
- 3 dried red chillies
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 10 curry leaves
- In a large bowl, add the garbanzo flour and all the spices including garlic and ginger.
- Add the water and mix into a thick batter.
- Add more water if necessary to thin out but thick enough so the batter can coat the vegetables but not gloppy.
- Heat the oil up to 350F.
- Add the cauliflower or vegetable of choice into the batter and mix.
- Once the oil is hot enough, drop enough battered vegetables and fry.
- Don't over crowd the pan,
- Once the fritters are golden brown and the vegetables soft, pull out of the oil and drain on paper towel.
- Repeat until all the batter is used up.
- Keep to the side and work on the curry.
- In a measuring cup or bowl, beat the 2 tablespoons of garbanzo bean flour into the yoghurt.
- Mix well.
- Add the spices, garlic and ginger and mix.
- In a medium pot, add the yoghurt mixture and the 2 cups of water.
- Mix together well to incorporate.
- Place on medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- The curry will begin to thicken and darken in colour to a deep yellow.
- Once it begins to thicken, make the tempering oil.
- In a small fry pan, heat the ¼ cup of oil.
- Once heated, slowly add the cumin seeds, red chillies and the curry leaves, careful they will splutter.
- Once the curry has thickened and is bubbling, slowly add the hot oil over the top.
- Add the fried fritters, you don't have to add them all.
- I alway keep some separate.
- Let the curry simmer with the bhajiyas for a couple of minutes and then turn off the heat.
- Check for salt and adjust accordingly.
- Serve with some white basmati rice.
- I also like to eat it straight up without anything.
I hope everyone is having a great summer thus far. I hope to be posting more regularly but I am way behind cooking anything for the blog lately, and now with it being Ramadan, I don’t feel like being in the kitchen! This heat is draining me and I think that’s the main problem.
I’ll get my act together, eventually. As it is Ramadan, I would like to wish all my readers and friends much peace, love and happiness. This month is about sharing, about family and friends, worship, good deeds and resolutions. In this spirit, I wish you all the peace and happiness from my family to yours, Ramadan Kareem.
Nazeen,
Yay, you are back. I’ve also been away for awhile and am now just getting started again. It was really great to take a nice long break away for the summer. This food looks incredibly delicious. Have you tried something like this baked—not fried?
Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits recently posted..Gluten Free Brazil Nut Bars
Nazeen,
I’ve also been away for awhile and am now just getting started again. It was really great to take a nice long break away for the summer. This food looks so delicious. Have you tried something like this baked—not fried?
Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits recently posted..Gluten Free Brazil Nut Bars
Beautiful and luscious Kadhi. I love to make kadhi with different veggie fritters so cauliflower it will be next time. I hope you had a wonderful Eid with family.
Ansh recently posted..Maque Choux Soup
Salaam Nazneen,
I’ve been feeling very anguished about this whole Palestine situation as well. I feel helpless, and I don’t know what I can do to help other than pray.
May Allah protect the innocent and may He defend the defenseless. The oppressors will be punished, both in this world and the next. There is a special place in Hell for those who killed and tortured the innocent.
Henna recently posted..An update…
Welcome back, Nazneen! What a lovely post – I so enjoyed reading about your summer, your adventures in high-end grilling, and Ramadan. And I love how you conveyed the feeling that when you cook yogurt curry, your mom is suddenly right there with you – beautiful. Well, and then, of course, I also adore this post because I’m a huge fan of curries, too 😀 . This is a show-stopper meal for sure (pinning, pinning!). I’ll look forward to more as your Ramadan celebrations come to a close. Until then … hugs … 😀
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens recently posted..Easy Tropical Angel Food Cake with Pineapple and Toasted Coconut
Oh man, *salivating*.
Emma recently posted..No Cook Summer Pasta
Never had yoghurt curry before, this recipe is definitely my next project!!!
Dedy@Dentist Chef recently posted..Chinese Style Steamed Mouse Grouper Fish with Soy Sauce, Ginger, Scallion and Cilantro (Resep Ikan Kerapu Bebek/Tikus Tim Hongkong)
Oh Nazneen, we do have missed you and it’s so good to have you back !
Sorry to hear about your mail problems, I had similar issues some month ago but could finally solve them. Anyhow, it has taken time and patience, but it was worth while 🙂
The yogurt cauliflower curry looks lovely and the clicks are beautiful.
Ramadam kareem ( I don’t know if this is the correct spelling?)
Daniela recently posted..Stay Cool- Iced Coffee and Classic Iced Tea With A Twist
This curry is over the top and those fritters look so good. Talk about coming back with a splash!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..How to Make Pickled Beets or Beetroot
I love hearing about your customs, Nazneen! Tradition is such an great part of life. This dish looks absolutely fantastic. I love cauliflower and the combination of flavors sound so amazing. Great post!
Bill recently posted..Blackberry Galette with Mascarpone Cream
Oh these look fabulous! And would you please just hurry up with Ramadan so that we can have some lunch? Wishing you a healthy fast, but it sure looks like you are getting in a lot of good eating!
Abbe@This is How I Cook recently posted..Oh My My and My Mom’s Secret Cole Slaw Recipe
These look fabulous! I love that you included dried chiles as well!
Mimi recently posted..Orange-Glazed Beets
This is the ultimate comfort food in summer. It looks so tempting and delicious with cauliflower fritters and I love the way you clicked the kadhi in steel lunch box, reminds me of school days.
Balvinder recently posted..Adai (Ada dosa)
It’s great that you’re having an eventful summer. Your curry is beautiful!
Mary Frances recently posted..Chicken & Pepper Kababs with Zukali Cilantro Pineapple Salsa
I have the same problems with blogger emails too, it is so weird! But doesn’t matter, I am so glad you are back to blogging more, especially with incredible recipes like this 😀
The cauliflower fritters blow me away absolutely!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..CCU Undercover: Sushi Train, Dee Why
this looks so delicious. i love cauliflower so these fritters would be great to try. i must give them a go soon.
sherry from sherryspickings recently posted..Silent Sunday 6 July 2014
I have totally been craving cauliflower lately and this looks absolutely delicious! So glad to hear you’ve been happily busy. I can totally relate because this summer feels like the busiest ever for some reason!
Monica recently posted..Lighter coconut chicken curry
I need to fast after all the stupid food I’ve eaten this weekend. I love all the beautiful colors in the food you make. This looks fabulous Nazneen.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Melon and Salami on Rye #SundaySupper
This looks super duper delicious! Love that yoghurt curry…very very tempting.
Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted..Einkorn Protein Banana Bread
Great to have you back! I totally get what you mean when you cook your Mum’s recipe and it’s like having her sitting next to you. Whenever I make chicken soup and knaidels I get the same goosebumps. Bitter sweet hey? Gorgeous, mouth watering photos as ever. You should write a book. Or an e-book?!
nancy@jamjnr recently posted..In my hood…the one child policy
I’ve been having trouble with emails as well although I’m with wordpress, not blogger. I’m supposed to get an email notification of every new comment on my blog but I’m not getting any emails; not one. I don’t know how to fix the problem (as usual) so I just wake up every morning hoping the issue has fixed itself. Not so far! I haven’t heard of these cauliflower fritters before but they look sensational xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Berrima Court House and Berrima Gaol
Wow, this looks amazing! Love the spices and flavours!
whatjessicabakednext recently posted..Peach Melba Yogurt Crunch Popsicles
Great to see you post again! Love the photos — what a wonderful looking dish. I love how vibrant it is. And the recipe looks so good too! This is a winner. So weird about your problem with Blogger emails — I’ve heard from one or two other people about this. Really a bummer. I wonder if it’s your email provider that all of a sudden isn’t liking Blogger emails? You could try subscribing with a different email address, and see if that helps things.Anyway, glad to see you back again. And thanks for a super recipe.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..The Sherry Cobbler Cocktail
Hi John! Thank you, it feels good to be back. The vibrant yellow is what I’ve always loved about this too! It’s got great flavour too and gluten free! I will try using a gmail address to subscribe and see if that makes a difference. Thanks John!
Nazneen, how are you? Long time no see you, I hope you’re doing well. I’d like to shake your hand for this amazing recipe, the first photo is amazing, and mouth watering… I’ve marked, when these hot days will be passed I will try to make this recipe by myself… do you think it will work even if skip the deep-frying step and i cook the cauliflower in a pan with some oil? I’m not good at all at deep-frying! Please, let me know!
Take care of yourself, hugs.
Margherita@lapetitecasserole recently posted..Ricotta ice cream
Hi Margherita!! How are you my dear? I am well! Tired, hungry and busy but well! This post really has two recipes in it. The fritters in the batter are often eaten as snacks at tea time. Here, they’re also dropped into some curry. You can sauté the cauliflower and use them in the curry, the taste will be a bit different but should be fine. Hope you like it!
Oh, wow! This looks so amazing – it has all my favorite flavors.. I even have some curry leaves in the fridge just waiting for this recipe! I hope your fasting continues well. I did miss you but knew, through Facebook, that all was well. Hugs, David
David recently posted..A Summer Smoked Salmon and Soba Salad
Hi David, thanks lovely for your sweet comment. I’m bummed that I missed you when you stopped over in Denver. Next time let me know!! You’ll like this dish, I hope you try it. I knew my friends on FB knew I was ok, I was just so busy!
I am glad that you are having a busy summer, Nazneen! Your husband’s appliance company should hire you for the cooking/demo gig. You could do wonders…
The cauliflowers fritters look amazing as all your other dishes. I hope you had a great holiday… Wishing you a happy summer!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Quick Chocolate Popcorn with Condensed Milk Drizzle (Pipoca de Chocolate)
Hi Denise! Thank you my dear, I hope your summer is going well too. They do kind of hire me but I don’t work for them. I have my own business and they use me as their caterer/event planner. It’s been a great relationship so far. Take care and thank you!
Nazneen, those are gorgeous fritters. I love kadhis (in fact I have a folder ready with pictures, just haven’t been able to create the post), and often make them with fritters. But I’m very intrigued by the use of avocado oil…..does it bring a change in flavor? Normally kadhi is very ghee centric, but you haven’t used any either.
I have been having same problems. I have lost so many people with blogger, and have been crazy going around re subscribing. I have even lost out on some regular word press blogs. Unless I check my RSS feed, I don’t get to them.
minnie@thelady8home recently posted..Eton Mess on Independence day #InaFridays
Hi Minnie, no avocado oil has no taste. I use it because it’s minimally refined veg oil that’s high in omega 3. I don’t use canola, veg or soybean oils. I fry, when I need to, in grape seed. You could easily use ghee and coconut oil, but my mum always used oil so I stick with it. As long as it tastes like how she made it, that’s all that matters to me!
I’m sure your husband’s coworkers were happy to see you arrive on the scene! I am in the market for a new grill but I’m afraid that as much as I would love one from Viking, a new Weber is in my future. If if is good enough for you, it is good enough for me. We must plan a luncheon at the conclusion of Ramadan. It would be great to see you again.
Karen Harris recently posted..Happy Independence Day 2014: Street Corn Dip
Thanks Karen! I can see investing in a good range or oven but $5000 is a bit excessive for a grill! Nice as it is, it’s a bit pricey! We should definitely meet up soon. I will contact you as soon as we’re done! It’ll be at the beginning of August.
WOWOWWOWOWOW.. kadi and rice my favouriteeeeeeeeee fooood
Bikram
Bikram recently posted..On the Table
Mine tooooo!
Thank you for the lovely wish…I wish you the same. Your photos make this meal so tempting. I’m sure it was as delicious as it looks.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Maine, Where Memories Are Made
Thank you so much, Karen! It’s one of my comfort foods 🙂
Oh wow! What a great twist to curry! I love what you did in this recipe, Nazneen! Incorporating yoghurt, frying the cauliflower, using jalapeño…All I can say is Y-U-M!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Gourmet Getaways recently posted..Happy 4th of July America!
Thanks Julie! As much as if like to take credit for this, I have to say it’s an old and very popular dish in India. There are different versions but this is mine, a lot simpler than many of the others. Thanks Julie!
It’s so good to see a post from you. Of course you were missed! Since your comeback dish is so gorgeous, you are excused. I love the onion version too but cauliflower is the best. The pictures are fabulous and I can totally see why this is such a favourite. I hope you manage to get some rest amidst your hectic routine Nazneen.
As for me, my family leaves tomorrow morning and I don’t even want to think how horrible it’s going to be after a month of having them around and getting pampered. Plus the unending winter:-(
Sugar et al recently posted..Whole Spice Roasted Cauliflower
Family leaving is always so difficult! Leaves such an empty feeling. Your boys are going to miss their nani. Console yourself with cooking, lots and lots of cakes 😉
Oh my oh my. I was invited last night to Iftar at one of my Egyptian friend’s home and her Pakistani neighbor kindly brought us this dish!!! we were all wondering what is in there :). Being the foodie there who everyone depends on investigating new foods ,I proudly said it is cauliflower fritters but could not actually get to the bottom of the spices used. It was very very hot and full of spices but I’ve enjoyed every bite of it. Thanks for posting the recipe Nazneen I would definitely be making those delicious fritters.
Amira recently posted..Qamar Eddeen paste
Oh, I’m so glad you tried it! This is quite popular all over India and the level of spices differ from place to place. My mother always made it quite simply and I prefer hers to anyone else’s. I’ve kept mine quite tame. The fritters can be made with any vegetable. The standard is usually onion but I put all kinds in there. This time cauliflower!