wellhealthorganic.com Gobi Manchurian: Gobi Manchurian stands as a beloved Indo-Chinese appetizer or snack, featuring crisp cauliflower florets coated in a delectable batter, pan-fried to perfection, and then tossed in a tantalizing sauce rich with savory and spicy flavors.
Gobi Manchurian
Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Course: Snacks
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ingredients:
For Pan Frying Gobi Florets:
- 1 medium cauliflower head
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch (cornflour in India)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon naturally brewed soy sauce
- 1 cup water (adjust as needed)
- 5 to 6 tablespoons oil for pan-frying
Other Ingredients:
- ¾ cup chopped spring onion (white part, reserve greens for garnish)
- ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1.5-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
- 8 to 10 medium-sized cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon finely chopped celery (optional)
- 1.5 tablespoons light soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or ½ teaspoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Also Read: Lemon Coriander Soup
Instructions:
Preparing Cauliflower Florets:
- Cut or break the cauliflower into medium or small-sized florets.
- Boil water with salt and blanch the cauliflower florets for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Pan Frying Cauliflower Florets:
- In a bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, soy sauce, black pepper, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt. Gradually add water until a smooth batter forms.
- Dip each cauliflower floret in the batter and fry in hot oil until golden and crisp. Fry in batches if needed. Drain excess oil on paper towels.
Making Gobi Manchurian:
- In the same pan, sauté chopped ginger, garlic, and green chilies until fragrant.
- Add spring onions, capsicum, and celery (if using). Stir-fry until the capsicum is halfway cooked.
- Add soy sauce, tomato ketchup, black pepper, and salt. Stir well.
- Add the fried cauliflower florets and toss until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Finally, add rice vinegar and mix. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Sprinkle chopped spring onion greens over the dish just before serving.
Also Read: Panch Phoron
Notes:
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper): You can use red or yellow bell peppers instead of green.
- Spring Onions: Substitute with white onions, red onions, or shallots if preferred.
- Green Chilies: Substitute with serrano or anaheim peppers, or use crushed dry red chilies or chili flakes.
- Corn Starch: Tapioca or potato starch can be used instead.
- All-purpose Flour: Whole wheat flour is an alternative.
- Frying: Maintain oil temperature for optimal frying.
- Ajinomoto: Optional, adjust according to preference.