DRUM STICK, CRISP FRIED, ( temple and non-temple version)

DRUM STICK, CRISP FRIED, ( temple and non-temple version)

As a child, I used to love this dish…In our village town, everybody had drum stick plants, The trees used to bend down with the load of drum sticks hanging from it . As you know, there is a limit to eat drum stick dishes. And you can’t pass it on to the neighbor as they have the same problem of having too much drum sticks.

I was just trying to recreate, from my memory , the sallow fried crispy drum sticks .The next dish on my radar is the drum stick achar , burnt drum stick Bha-te (bharta)… and pakoda from drum stick core.  

THE RECIPE

It is simple. Softened drum sticks are coated with little batter and shallow fried . The batter and the spicing is your imagination to get the right aroma that you think will be good.  It can be just the aroma of Nigella, wild celery, ajwain or cumin or even garlic.  Strong spice like fennel, methi, garam masala is generally not used, but why not ?

INGREDIENTS

Drum sticks . 8 , semi-peeled (as usual ) , cut to 4 inch (100 mm) size.

Turmeric ½ tsp,

Salt ½ tsp

For the batter

Rice flour , 80 % , atta (whole wheat flour ) 15 % , corn flour 5 %

Salt

Red chili powder 1 tsp

Jeera powder ½ tsp

Garlic paste, 1 level tsp OPTIONAL and not for Jain or temple variation)

Ajwain 1 level tsp

PROCESS

Boil  the drum stick cuts in minimum water with salt and turmeric. The drum stick should be just cooked ( alternatively , pressure cook to one whistle and switch off, or steam them after marinating with salt and turmeric for ½ hour) .

Preserve the water for sambar or any vege dish for the drum stick flavour.

Mix all the ingredients for batter except the garlic and then add the garlic (optional) , make a very thick  batter.

Pour the batter to the boiled drumstick and mix roughly to coat. It will just coat here and there, not like fully coated pakodas.

In a frying pan (non-stick will do) , heat oil for sallow fry.

Take 4 to 5 drum stick pieces together and put on the pan. Fry on high heat, till brown. Reverse the pieces, press gently to flatten slightly and fry .

Remove on to a kitchen paper and allow the batter to turn crispy.

Just munch and gossip, good for ladies parliament.