Luscious Lentil Pakoras… a Bengali comfort food. D.E.G.Free!

Luscious Lentil Pakoras. Dairy. Egg. Gluten. Free.

Today I had no idea what recipe I was going to post! Sometimes I might have a day in the kitchen and end up producing three different wonderful recipes, whereas on other days I’m too tired to be Mrs Inventor! 😛 I usually have a rough idea what I will post the following day (as it is often that nights dinner) but if not, I look through my photos and see what jumps out! Today however I have too many things to choose from! We’ve been busy in the kitchen and my ‘recipes to post’ file is getting fuller!

Yesterday my day really didn’t go anywhere near to plan and instead of doing the 101 things which have been waiting for school to start back, I found myself looking after a friends child (whose school had an extra day off)! As I already had the morning planned, I had to rely on my friend Raima to help out. Trying to think what to post today, I remembered my last visit to Raima’s house. We (she)! made some amazing quick snacks and ever the opportunist I scribbled down what was going on, took some photos and ate up all the evidence! 😛 Apparently these pakora’s are something which you wont generally find on a restaurant or take-out menu as they are classed as home-food. Very popular and no doubt with loads of variations, I was amazed how they could be prepared so quickly and yet taste so yummy! 🙂

Gather

  • 450g split red lentils
  • 600ml cold water
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • Handful of fresh coriander chopped
  • optional 1 fresh green chilli finely chopped
  • Oil for frying. (I would generally use coconut oil but we used vegetable oil).

Prepare

  1. Cover the lentils with the water and leave to soak for 10 minutes.
  2. Put the onion, salt, curry, coriander, turmeric and fresh coriander (& chilli if using) in a large bowl and mix well.
  3. Strain the lentils thoroughly and then blitz them up.
  4. Add the lentils to the onion spice mix and combine.
  5. Heat a pan of oil (sorry I know) and drop in small blobs of the mixture.

    Cook several at a time and cook for 5-7 minutes depending on how much colour you want them to have. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.

    Cook the remaining mixture as above.

  6. Enjoy!

Serving and storing

  • These are generally served with a dipping sauce (chilli, sweet chilli, ketchup) although I ate mine plain.
  • Try quickly shallow frying and then baking in the oven on a medium heat if deep frying is too much for you!
  • Easily transportable if you need a party snack (just cover in tin foil)
  • The mixture can be stored uncooked (covered) in the fridge for two days. 
  • The cooked fritters can be cooled and refrigerated for up to five days.

No Comments

  • Raima 24th February 2015 at 11:16

    I hope everyone likes my pakora’s 🙂 the pictures are great, so yummy. Enjoy! 🙂

    Reply
  • Life Diet Health 24th February 2015 at 11:24

    We all liked them a lot! Thank you so much for teaching me how to make them 🙂

    Reply
  • eat2healthUK 24th February 2015 at 17:41

    Looks tasty! Do you think you could bake them instead of shallow frying?

    Reply
    • Raima 24th February 2015 at 18:28

      Not sure if u can bake but can try.

      Reply
  • veganmiow 24th February 2015 at 21:34

    Pakoras are my favourite! Yours look so delicious, definitely going to try these out! 🙂

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 24th February 2015 at 22:01

      Thanks Jennie 🙂 definitely delicious! 🙂

      Reply
  • Life Diet Health 24th February 2015 at 21:59

    Hey eat2HealthUK… you two should be the ones to ask if they can be baked! 😛 Your baking of traditional fried foods always turns out great 🙂 such as your green falafels or kidney bean quinoa meatballs 🙂 I’m sure it would work although I know that you know that the taste would be slightly different! Do let me know if you give them a try 🙂

    Reply
  • Traditionally Modern Food 25th February 2015 at 05:04

    Wow perfect teatime snack

    Reply
  • Sophie33 25th February 2015 at 07:29

    Oooh waw, these look freaking delicious! xxx I must make these beauties today, for sure! xxx

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 25th February 2015 at 08:56

      🙂 they are! Please do! Let me know how they turn out 🙂

      Reply
      • Sophie33 27th February 2015 at 18:17

        I made them & loved them so much, so did my hubby Peter! Thanks again! X

        Reply
        • Life Diet Health 27th February 2015 at 19:51

          Excellent Sophie 🙂 Glad you and Peter enjoyed them! 🙂 and thank you for supporting my blog and testing my recipes! 🙂

          Reply
  • Semra Polat 25th February 2015 at 09:56

    Looks delicious can’t wait to try it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 25th February 2015 at 09:58

      Thank you Semra… inshaAllah I will post some Turkish recipes soon! 🙂

      Reply
      • Semra Polat 25th February 2015 at 10:08

        InşaAllah …I’ll look forward to your new posts 🙂

        Reply
  • Delicious Peace of Mind 25th February 2015 at 15:43

    OMG, they look amazing! And I am sure they smell and taste divine! 🙂

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 25th February 2015 at 15:53

      Thank you! 🙂 Yes, totally amazing! 🙂 Make a batch and see for yourself! 🙂

      Reply
  • Vegan Ahead 2nd March 2015 at 16:03

    Yum, looks like one to try sometime!

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 2nd March 2015 at 16:38

      Thank you Nadine! It most certainly is! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂

      Reply
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