Onion Bhaji

also called onion bhajee · bhaji · pyaz pakora · onion pakora · kanda bhaji · bhajia

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Onion Bhaji: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
1 lb(450 g; halved and sliced thin)yellow onionssalt and stand 20 min, until they weeptoss through, no water yetfry 5 min a batch, at 340°F
1 1/2 tspkosher salt
3/4 cup(80 g; besan)gram flour
2 Tbs(20 g)rice flour
1/2 tspground turmeric
1 tspKashmiri chile powder
1 tspcumin seeds
1/2 tspajwain
1 Tbs(grated)fresh ginger
3 Tbs(chopped)cilantro
4 cups(950 mL)neutral oil
Rice flour is the shop trick for a shell still crisp when the plate reaches the table
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.11 things to get out.

1salt and stand 20 min, until they weep

2toss through, no water yet

goes in with what step 1 made

3fry 5 min a batch, at 340°F

goes in with what step 2 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 25 min1 of 3 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 5 min
If you get it wrong
Narrow — the batter has to be barely holding; any looser and it fries into a solid fritter with raw onion still inside
  1. salt and stand 20 min, until they weep

    20 minwalk awayfrom the start

  2. toss through, no water yet

    not timed20 min in

  3. fry 5 min a batch, at 340°F

    5 minneeds you20 min in

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Onion Bhaji
>> category: Flatbreads & Pancakes
>> tags: indian, onion, gram flour, fried, starter
>> counters: Curry House
>> aka: onion bhajee, bhaji, pyaz pakora, onion pakora, kanda bhaji, bhajia
>> pairs-with: mint-chutney, papadom
>> servings: 12
>> time: 45 min
>> slack: narrow — the batter has to be barely holding; any looser and it fries into a solid fritter with raw onion still inside

>> step: salt and stand 20 min, until they weep
Rest @yellow onions{1%lb}(450 g; halved and sliced thin) under @kosher salt{1 1/2%tsp} ~stand{20%min}, turning them once, until the bowl has an inch of water in the bottom and the slices have gone floppy.

>> step: toss through, no water yet
Toss @gram flour{3/4%cup}(80 g; besan), @rice flour{2%Tbs}(20 g), @ground turmeric{1/2%tsp}, @Kashmiri chile powder{1%tsp}, @cumin seeds{1%tsp}, @ajwain{1/2%tsp}, @fresh ginger{1%Tbs}(grated) and @cilantro{3%Tbs}(chopped) through @&(~1)wept onions{}, water and all, and work it with your hand until every strand is coated in a thick paste.

>> step: fry 5 min a batch, at 340°F
Fry @&(~1)coated onions{} in @neutral oil{4%cup}(950 mL) at 340°F (170°C) ~fry{5%min} a batch, dropped in craggy tablespoonfuls and turned once, until deep gold and crisp at every loose end.

Rice flour is the shop trick for a shell still crisp when the plate reaches the table.