Charishma's Punjabi Kadhi With Bhajiyas'

This is one of my specialities and a favourite with my family.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Ingredients for the Kadhi

• 500  g plain yogurt, beaten
• 3 -4  tablespoons gram flour
• 1  teaspoon red chili powder
• 1  teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1  inch  piece ginger
• 3 -4  green chilies, washed, ends trimmed and slit
• 2 -3  garlic flakes, peeled, washed and finely chopped
• 15  fresh curry leaves, washed and torn
•  salt
• 1  teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 2  teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1  tablespoon cumin seed
• 1  teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 5 -6  whole red chilies (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon asafoetida powder (hing)
• 4  cups water

• Ingredients for the Bhajiyas

• 2  green chilies, finely chopped or 1⁄4 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1  cup gram flour
•  salt
• 1  pinch baking soda
• 4  teaspoons fresh coriander leaves, washed and finely chopped
• 1  onion, peeled, washed and finely chopped
•  oil, to deep fry
•  water, as required to knead
• 1⁄4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Directions

1. Following is the method to prepare the Punjabi kadhi:
2. Heat oil in a pot.
3. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter.
4. Add cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds. Allow to crackle.
5. Once it stops crackling, add red chillies, if required and stir-fry briefly.
6. Fold in the torn curry leaves, ginger, garlic and green chillies. Mix thoroughly. Stir-fry until the raw smell of ginger and garlic is gone.
7. In another bowl, mix together yoghurt, gramflour, red chilli and turmeric powders alongwith 4 cups of water.
8. Add the ginger and garlic stir fried mixture to the yoghurt mixture. Boil for a few minutes.
9. Lower flame and cook on simmer for 45 minutes.
10. Serve hot with long grain Basmati rice and Punjabi Masala Papads and mango pickle if you like.
11. Following is the method to prepare the Bhajiyas:-.
12. In a wide-mouthed bowl, knead together all the dry ingredients with water.
13. Shape into bhajiyas and deep fry in hot oil in a wok.
14. Drain on clean kitchen paper towels.
15. Add to the Punjabi Kadhi or serve as a plain snack with tea.