Panchratn Onion Pakoras With Zeo

The weekend was amazing with weather being so generous to us... loads of sunshine with little wind.  We were outdoors all the time and came back tired and exhausted. We both wanted some nice chilled drink to rejuvenate ourselves. It was then when I remembered that a month back ZEO drink was delivered at my address for review. Life became very busy after that and I just could not post the review. Well better late than never- Right?

I tried Peach and Grapefruit flavor from their Burst range. I was quite fascinated by this new drink. Like me if you do not fall for unhealthy soda, or so called diet drinks then ZEO will surely win your heart; Yup- this drink has 45 calories per 275ml and is loaded with goodness of fruits with no artificial flavour; Simply enjoy it guilt free *happy dance*. When you sip in, you get the sweetness of peach with the hint of bitter grapefruit – remarkable twist isn't it? Once you gulp in, the tingling sensation oozes out and makes it more extraordinary. *Warning*- this drink tastes best when served chilled without ice- Trust me it does. I am surely going to try Zest and Crush range as well.

With this tingling dish we craved for some steaming and spicy snack. Any suggestions come in mind? Yeah, I hear you- that is what I did. I made some pakoras. Pakoras also known as pakodas or bhajiya is a fried snack made in many ways and with different ingredients. Even in Britain, pakoras are very popular and are enjoyed a lot, some even think that they are best alternative for French fries*happy nod*

I can’t even think of any Indian home where they don’t make this snack in monsoons. Panchratn which means five jewels is a mixture of 5 different dals.  I soaked 5 kinds of lentils with which I planned to make simple dal and rice, but my mood changed and I opted to make some pakoras. I prepared the batter and threw in some chopped onions which later proved out to be the best decision as it brings out that missing crunch. So, are your mouths watering? See the recipe then.

Ingredients: 
1 cup channa dal
½ cup moong dal
½  cup masoor dal
¼ cup urad dal
¼ cup tuar dal
2 tablespoon Coriander seeds/dhaniya
2 tablespoon cumin/jeera
½  inch ginger/adrak
5 to 6 cloves of garlic/lehsun
½ cup Coriander leaves  chopped

1 onion/pyaz chopped in rings

4 tablespoon gram flour/ besan
3-4 green chillies
Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Oil for deep frying

Method:

Wash dals and soak them for about 3-4 hours.

Remove the water  and make smooth paste of ginger, garlic, green chillies, coriander seeds, gram flour ,cumin and soaked dals into a coarse paste. Add little water if needed.

Lasltly add salt, onion and coriander leaves. Mix and keep aside.

Heat oil in pan or kadai on medium heat.

When the oil is hot, mix baking soda in the batter and give quick mix. Do not over mix the batter.

Make small balls or drop with small spoon in preheated oil and fry till light brown.

Eat hot with tomato ketchup or chutney of your choice.

Notes:

I made using 5 dals, but any other dal can be added or removed as per choice.

Why not add some vegetables like sweet corn, potato, capsicum for more royal treat.

Use leftover dal to make this. Mix in more gram flour and onions and fry.

Taste:

Spicy, crunchy and hot.



Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking ZEO, for sending drink to review.