What is bhaji?
Bhaji is the Indian version of a fritter. Often made with vegetables like onion, potatoes or even chili. They are deep-fried and served as a snack or eaten as a side dish or starter. Since I love anything generously seasoned with spice and fried until crispy, this carrot appetizer is definitely one of my favorite things to eat.
A carrot experiment
Recently, I’ve been experimenting with various ways of getting more vegetables on not only my plate but also on the plates of the entire family as well. Luckily for me, I discovered that flavoring any vegetable with Indian spices like cumin, coriander, red chile powder and turmeric works great. Also, deep-frying that spicy vegetable concoction is a great crowd-pleaser. So, when it comes to sneaking in some neglected vegetables, spice it up and fry it for a healthy-ish snack or appetizer.
Since then, these carrot bhajis have been a big hit in my household. Sweet, salty, spicy-I can’t get enough of these delicious morsels. This Indian spiced carrot appetizer is great as a starter, cocktail party hors d’oeuvres or accompaniment to a spicy curry. I like to pair it with garlic and lemon yogurt dipping sauce for added deliciousness. This garlicky sauce is also a great way to cool the spice if you are not used to the heat. Adjust the spices accordingly if you want a more heated kick, just be sure to make lots and they quickly are gobbled up.
Carrot Bhaji with Lemony Yogurt Dipping Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
This Indian spiced carrot bhaji recipe is great to serve as a starter, cocktail party hors d’oeuvres or as an accompaniment to a curry. #vegetarian #easyrecipes #appetizer #carrot #lemon #yogurt
Ingredients
2 large carrots (peeled and grated) ~about 2 1/2 cups
1 medium onion (grated)~about 1 cup
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp -1 tsp red chile powder (depends on spice preference)
2 tbsp cornstarch
4 tbsp flour
freshly cracked black pepper
Coriander/cilantro to garnish (optional)
1 cup/245g plain Greek yogurt
2–3 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp sea salt
2 scallions (chopped)
a sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine grated carrots and onion in a mixing bowl and combine.
- Sprinkle with spices and sea salt and toss together.
- Add cornstarch and flour and combine to make a dough.
- Using your hands or a tablespoon, form dough into balls around 1in/2cm in diameter.
- Add oil to a medium non-stick frying pan and heat over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot, add carrot bhaji balls and fry until crispy on both sides.
- Take out and drain excess oil on paper towels and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Serve with a yogurt dipping sauce.
- Combine yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, scallions and black pepper together and blend in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Vegetarian, Starter, Side
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Can’t get enough Indian spice? Try these recipes:
Indian Spiced Cheese Fritters (Masala cheese pancakes)
Indian Spiced Fish Cakes with Yogurt Mint Sauce
Karela Chips (Spicy Fried Bitter Gourd)
