Paneer Karam Pakoda

Karam pakodas are classical street snack in Southern India. Evening, all small teashop hold a snack section like, karam pakodas, masala vadais, medhu bonda, etc… The smell of hot pakoda invites those streets crossers to take a break before returning after a laborious day. Loud music, different age of people chatting, some reading newspaper, everyone gather happily. They just stop to taste these roadside delicacies and to enjoy their chai/tea or filter coffee with any snack, which is prepared hot at that time! Usually these vendors mix the snack in front of us. They pour a big ladle of hot oil, in pakoda mix and sprinkle a little water just to hold together. I added little ghee rather than hot oil :) I guess everything is same calorie wise! For me, I just like the karam pakoda to eat with rice! It is a crunchy side dish for rasam rice or any tamarind gravy! Just for the event I combined paneer in my Karam pakoda recipe. U can simply omit paneer and make the crunchy pakoda, but just watch out your salt level!


 


Paneer Karam Pakoda 
Ingredients: 
Bengal gram flour/besan flour: ½ cup
Rice flour: ½ cup
Paneer: 1/2 cup crumbled 
Red onion: ½ cup sliced lengthwise and thinly
Ginger: 1 tsp minced 
Chili powder: 1 tbsp
Curry leaves: 2 sprigs 
Cilantro: 2 tsp chopped
Ghee: 1 tsp
Salt: 1/2 tsp less or more, according your taste
 Oil: to deep fry Just a picture to show how the final mixture should be


Method: Mix, all flours, salt, chili powder, onion, ginger, curry and cilantro leaves in a big plate or large bowl. Add the ghee and mix well, until it get mix with all ingredients. 



Now, try to make small portions. Sprinkle some water in one portion, it should be crumbly the mixture. And NOT LIKE CHAPATI DOUGH! Heat oil, take a small amount of mixture with your fingers and crumble directly the pakoda mix in hot oil and reduce the heat to medium flame. Fry until they turn golden brown. Do not brown too much; the onion will turn bitter taste. 

  NOTE: The recipe is same for Karam pakoda, just omit the paneer. Pakodas can be stored up to 5 days in airtight container once they re cooled. Enjoy this snack with coffee or tea of ur choice! Wraping in newspaper for vendors is cheap but also help sucking all the extra oil in paper!
This paneer pakoda is little saltier so add little amount of salt and taste it before processing a big batch! 

This paneer pakoda is entering the pakora contest hosted by Ruchina and the paneer event celebrated by Vandana Rajesh! Have a great weekend!

Comments

Unknown said…
Brings back my memories..I wanted this almost everyday with rice..Long since I had these pakodas..YOu make me crave for them now..Too too good entry cham.Must try these..
Cham said…
Div Very quick ur comment Dear. Thanks, whenever i make it i feel nostalgic too...U too love to eat with rice, same taste we share it :)
Madhavi said…
WOW awesome pakoda, ab to me photo me hath dal kar lene vali hu like willy wonka ;-) Mouth-drooling entry, our movie menu tonight!!!
Laavanya said…
Pakoras are always a welome treat at our place and the paneer is a nice twist.
Sum Raj said…
luved ur description cham...next time while making,i will try to add paneer too...looks nice into the rolling paper pouch....i am imagining sitting aside in the beach and having ur panner karam pakodas....:)
kamala said…
Cham , U make me feel back at home...Like Divya said We too have for rice everyday..Great entry
Swati said…
Delicious Pakodas..They really look crunchy..
Rachel said…
Paneer as a pakoda..this I've never had...
Unknown said…
wow... looks fantastic dear....mouth watering...Delicious Pakodas..They really look crunchy..
Deepthi Shankar said…
that looks awesome .. very tempting it is
Seema said…
These r so yum!! I love these with hot masaledar Chai & to go along with pakodas some spicy mint & sweet chutney too please!! :-)
AnuZi said…
OoOO paneer pakodas. Genius!! love the easy recipe. great share :o)
Uma said…
yummy pakodas. great entry.
bha said…
I never had pakoras by the roadside....but loved yours
Purva Desai said…
Hey Cham!!!
Pakoda looks really crispy and yummy...
and nice way of presenting it :)
notyet100 said…
this looks so crispy nd yummy niceone for the event
jayasree said…
At my home too, pakodas are mostly made as sides for rice. Loved the first pic. Looks very crunchy.
Unknown said…
I loved the picture.Just like the street side shops.Never knew abt paneer pakoda though.Looks so crispy..
Divya Kudua said…
Paneer pakodas look so lovely cham..wrapped in a paper cone..yummy!!Feel like snatching it from my PC screen!!Apt entry for both the events!!
ST said…
WOW.......Paneer pakodas look sooo crispy and yummy.....I am drooling now......
EC said…
Classic pakodas..
Anonymous said…
Mouth-watering snack perfect for the people of Bangalore, b'coz it rains here most of the time. For me pakoda's are better half of tea and rain.
Sum Raj said…
An award for u, come and collect it :)
Sujatha said…
Wow, I am drooling on those pakodas.. Paneer should definitely add a kick to it.. You make me miss my madurai roadside pakodas :)
Vaishali said…
Cham- love pakodas. Yours look perfect and crunchy.
Sunshinemom said…
Its been raining heavily here since yest. and I would die for that plate of pakodas. I love the way you have made it...absolutely crunchy! Neat entry:)
Vijitha said…
lovely recipe....awesome presentation!!
this is my first time here and I am quite new to this blogsphere... jus popped in to say a hi!