To make Gobi Manchurian, a popular Indo-Chinese dish, follow these steps:
Ingredients:
For the Gobi (Cauliflower) Fritters:
- 1 medium-sized cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1/4 cup corn flour (cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon rice flour (optional, for extra crispiness)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- Salt to taste
- Water, as needed, to make a batter
- Oil, for deep frying
For the Manchurian Sauce:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- 2 tablespoons spring onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn flour (cornstarch) mixed with 2 tablespoons water (to thicken the sauce)
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil
Instructions:
For the Gobi Fritters:
- In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, corn flour, rice flour (if using), ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, black pepper powder, soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and salt.
- Gradually add water to the mixture while whisking until you get a smooth and thick batter that coats the back of a spoon.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and mix until each floret is evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully drop the coated cauliflower florets into the hot oil and deep fry them until they turn golden and crispy. Do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Remove the fried cauliflower fritters with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Set aside.
For the Manchurian Sauce:
- In a separate pan or wok, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green chilies, and the white parts of the spring onions. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent and the raw smell disappears.
- Add soy sauce, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, vinegar, black pepper powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a minute.
- Pour in the water and let the sauce come to a simmer.
- Stir in the corn flour mixture to thicken the sauce. Cook for another minute until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
Assembling the Gobi Manchurian:
- Add the fried cauliflower fritters (Gobi) to the prepared Manchurian sauce. Toss well until the sauce coats the fritters evenly.
- Garnish with the green parts of the spring onions.
Your delicious Gobi Manchurian is ready to be served! Enjoy it as an appetizer or as a side dish with fried rice or noodles.