Onion Pakoda (Spicy onion fritters)

A tiny fly got into the house. Well not all that tiny slightly bigger than a regular fly but smaller than a bumble bee, called buffalo fly I think. Anyway he was behind the curtain and on the window buzzing away and driving me crazy. I charged after it and my madness stopped only after I got it out of my ear shot and out of the house. Phew!

I just can't imagine how the fans are putting up with the sound of the multitudes of vuvuzelas as they are supporting their favorite soccer teams. The buzzing sound still rings for a few minutes after watching a game on TV. I can't even imagine how it feels for all those who are watching the game sitting in the stadium, maybe it does not matter when your favorite time is winning. My favorite team is Germany for now but the team I support rarely ever wins (well that is not true they beat Argentina in the quarters) so let's see how Germany fares from now on.

What do you do if you have guests over during the early evening hours around tea time but your creativity leaves you? These onion pakodas worked perfectly for us. Step into the yard, dust a few chairs, hand the slotted spoon to your friend, spread a few snack plates around to the others, heat oil in a pan and get to business. The snack gets done very quickly and the process of eating and waiting keeps everyone from the youngest to oldest engaged.

This scene always reminds me of times in my ammayee's (maternal grandmother's) place where deep frying was done in the work kitchen which was different from the main kitchen of the house. The work kitchen was the one where all the deep frying and those tasty snack items were prepared. We hung around near the verandah (open courtyard) while enjoying those tasty pakoda, bajjis and vadais came hot off the stove.

In the picture below of my maternal grandparent's house, the main kitchen is to the left and the work kitchen(for lack of a better term is on the right). The house the location of much happiness for my cousins and myself, sadly has been under lock and key the circumstances of which would make a good story line for a mega serial or two.

Before I forget, thanks for the wonderful ideas for using those tart cherries. Thokkus, chutneys , shakes - possibilities are many.

The final few pakodas that were left made it into the picture.

Onion Pakoda
1. 2 cups of besan (chickpea flour)
2. 1/2 cup of rice flour
3. 1 tbsp red chili powder
4. 2 cups of onions cut into thin slices)
5. 1-2 tsp ajwain (rubbed slightly between your palms)
6. 1-2 tsp cumin seeds
7. 1 tsp salt (taste before adding more)
8. 1/4 cup of water
9. Oil for deep frying

Method
1. Mix in the besan, rice flours with the chili powder,salt, cumin and ajwain seeds.
2. Add the onions, and sprinkle water and mix it together till they hold together, stop when they are slightly crumbly if you want crunchy pakodas, or a bit more if want them closer to bajjis.
3. Heat oil in a pan, when hot drop the onions drenched in flour scattering them in the oil so they don't stick together.
4. When they turn golden brown take them and drain them on paper towels.

Note:
1. If you want the pakodas to be crunchy with a longer shelf life sprinkle water as you are making the batter/dough. Check here for the texture of the dough.
2. A bit more water and they are more closer to bajjis.
3. Add the onions in the last minute. If they sit too long the more watery they get.

Tart Cherries and what to do with them?

A couple of weeks ago DD's piano teacher called to say that the blueberries in a farm nearby were ripe for picking. We rushed before they closed only to find that the blue berry picking was done by the afternoon and there were a few tart cherries and strawberries left for picking.

The bright jewel like cherries were hard to resist though the taste is not anything special or rather not something I'd appreciate, tart and slightly bitter. The strawberries turned to light ice cream while the cherries needed creative thinking.

Over the weekend I decided to make some corn muffins which is always a crowd pleaser and very quick especially on a late weekend morning. Needed something different than the usual butter or cream cheese that is slathered on the muffins and decided to make a sauce with tart cherries hoping it would pair well with savory muffins. Though apprehensive to start with the sauce turned out to be a good accompaniment with the muffins.

I am eager to know what you would have cooked up if you had a few cups of tart cherries on hand?

Tart Cherry Sauce
Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 of pitted tart cherries
2. 1-2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
3. juice from 1 orange about 1/4 cup

Method
1. In a sauce pan combine sugar, orange juice and the cherries
2. On low heat let it come to a boil. Cover with a lid and cook for 6-8 minutes
3. Cool and if required use an immersion blended to break it if a back of a spoon does not work

Serve over any spicy bread