Cheese Pakora

Cheese pakoras are a delicious Indian snack made by deep-frying cheese cubes coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter. Ingredients:

• 200 grams paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut into cubes
• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 2 tablespoons rice flour (optional, for extra crispiness)
• 1 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil for deep frying

For serving (optional):

• Mint chutney
• Tamarind chutney
• Sliced onions
• Chaat masala

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Batter:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, rice flour (if using), carom seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and salt.
   • Gradually add water while whisking to make a smooth batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

2. Heat the Oil:

   • Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough for frying but not smoking.

3. Coat the Cheese Cubes:

   • Dip each paneer cube into the prepared batter, ensuring it's well coated on all sides.

4. Fry the Pakoras:

   • Carefully drop the coated cheese cubes into the hot oil, one by one.
   • Fry the pakoras in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes per batch.
   • Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried pakoras from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the cheese pakoras hot with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or any dipping sauce of your choice.
   • Optionally, garnish with sliced onions and sprinkle chaat masala on top for extra flavor.

Enjoy these crispy and flavorful cheese pakoras as a delightful snack or appetizer with your favorite chutneys!