Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Palak kay Pakoray ( Spinach Fritters)


Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar that takes place every year. During this month, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset. They wake up early, before the sunrise to have their meal ( called Suhur, Sehri in Urdu ). It consists of the same meal eaten everyday like meat curries, kababs, vegetables dishes or omelet with paratha / chapati; followed by tea to end the meal. After Sehri, morning prayers are offered and the holy Quran is read. Then starts the routine life, time to go for work or study.

When the sun sets, the fast ends. At fast-breaking meal ( known as Iftar ), Muslims break their fast together with their family. In Pakistan, Muslims break their fasts with dates, tea/ drinks, snacks ( samosas or pakoras ) & chaats or dahi bhalay. Then evening prayers are offered & after this, the main meal is served.

For my family, Iftar is not complete without pakoras. It is the most popular Iftar item among Pakistanis. Who doesn't like crispy and crunchy pakoras. Serve them as snacks or appetizers. It is made by adding spinach, onion & potato in a batter of gram flour and then deep-frying them. Although the word deep fried does not sound healthy, but at least the addition of Spinach makes them  healthy. Few dates, a glass of Sharbat Rooh Afza & these delicious pakoras ... that's what I like to have at Iftar :)
    Palak kay Pakoray ( Spinach Fritters)
    *******************************************

    * Prep. Time : 15 minutes
    * Cook Time : 15 minutes
    * Serves : 4

    Ingredients :

    ( A ) :
    • 1 cup gram flour ( besan ), sifted
    • 3/4 to 1 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. red chilli powder
    • 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
    • 1/2 tsp. carom seeds ( ajwain )
    • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
    • Pinch of nigella seeds ( kalonji )
    • 1 tbsp. coriander seeds
    • 1 tbsp. dried pomegranate seeds ( Anardana )
    ( B) :
    • 1 to 1 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
    • 1 medium onion, sliced
    • 1 medium potato, peeled & cut into small cubes
    • Oil, for deep frying
      Method :
      • Mix all the ingredients of ( A ) in a large bowl.
      • Add enough water to form a thick paste.
      • Whisk well for few minutes to make the batter light.
      • Keep aside & prepare the vegetables.
      • Rinse the spinach thoroughly, then chop it finely. 
      • Slice the onion thinly & cut the potato in small cubes.
      • Mix the vegetables in the batter just before frying.
      • Heat oil for deep frying.
      • Drop tablespoonfuls of mixture in hot oil.
      • Fry on medium heat till it becomes golden brown on all sides.
      • Serve immediately with mint & tamarind chutney or ketchup.


      Sending this to these events :
      1).  Announcing Cooking Concepts # 2 -- Appetizers by SravsCulinaryConcepts 

      2). Serve It - Fried , started by hosted this month by Denny

      6). My Legume Love Affair-38, an event created by Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook and this month hosted by Preeti of  Relishing Recipes

      7). Seasonal Indulgence series – Monsoon medley

      Linking this to the these events:

      Any One Can Cook: Series30
      Cast Party Wednesday Link Party #9
      Tuesday {Ten} No. 9
      The Sunday Showcase Party No. 66
      {Tuesday Time Out Party}
      Sundae Scoop
      Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop #19
      Savvy HomeMade Monday #2
      Tuesday Confessional Link Party
      These Chicks Cooked Link Party - Featuring Your Recipes from All Around Blogland #12
      It's a Party! #14
      It’s a Keeper Thursday: Recipe & Project Linky


      Dear friends, Please take a moment to vote for me at Round Tuit!
      My links are No. 45 ( Mango Cake Balls ) & No. 46 ( Fruit & Cream ). Thank you in advance :)

      Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the recipe!!!

        43 comments :

        1. crispy best snack for this rainy season.

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        2. Wow!!!! they look so tempting. A perfect for iftar snack.

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        3. Love these crunchy crispy pakoras any day..perfect on a rainy day with a cup of tea

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        4. Hi Dear, its my favorite snack! & most favorite in ramadan month :)
          Well its a quick note to inform you that your this recipe is featured on Creative Mind-Featured Recipe today!
          Have a nice day!

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        5. Pakoras lookk crispy & mighty tempting!!
          Prathima Rao
          Prats Corner

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        6. Thank you Santosh ji, Khushi, Zareena, Kaveri & Prathima for liking the post :)

          Oh Khadija, thank you so much for featuring it on Creative Mind. You really made my day :)

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        7. Healthy crispy fritters. Perfect on a rainy day with a cup of tea

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        8. Oh Ambreen, they look so crisp and delish. I love them, especially your idea of adding spinach to the batter. Sure gonna try this for Iftar. Congrats on featuring on Kadeeja's! Btw I voted for both your recipes. Good luck and Allah hafiz!

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        9. crispy and delicious pakoras..love this with a cup of tea.

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        10. Mouth watering pakoras yum yum. Ramdan Wishes to yourself and your family

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        11. Crispy, yummy and healthy too :)

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        12. Spinach fritters look amazingly tasty and crispy.

          Deepa
          Hamaree Rasoi

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        13. Very delicious snack to have with a cup of tea on a rainy day

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        14. My daughter and I just watched a food documentary and they discussed this tradition. It was very interesting. Thanks for sharing, these look so yummy!

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        15. delicious looking fritters for iftar

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        16. wow pakoras looks so crispy and very tempting !! Thanks for linking to my event :)

          Ongoing event -- CC-Appetizers

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        17. This is post made me smile. Thanks for inspiring me and many others. Really appreciate that you linked up at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.

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        18. Thank you so much everyone for your lovely comments :)

          Thanks a lot Nashira! So sweet of you :)

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        19. salam ambreen, first time I see these spinach fritters, looks delicious because its spicy and dipped in mint. Can’t wait to the taste this. Happy fasting ambreen.

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        20. Palak pakoray looks crispy, crunchy, yummy and tempting. Very healthy and perfect for snacks.

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        21. salam ambreen, first time I see these spinach fritters, looks delicious because its spicy and dipped in mint. Can’t wait to the taste this. Happy fasting ambreen.

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        22. Really crisp and tempting pakoras. Healthy one too Ambreen! Loved the spices that go into the batter.Yummy..

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        23. Fritters look delicious. Thanks for following.
          Glad to follow u as well.


          -Lavanya
          My Recent Post: Peanut Butter Pillows

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        24. Perfect pakoras! Would love to have it with a cup of tea! :)

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        25. Those spinach fritters look Soooooo yummy!!

          I just stopped by to tell you yours was the most voted link on my Round Tuit party this week! Congratulations!!

          As the winner - I'd like to run a feature about your blog next Monday after the linky party.

          Could you please email me as soon as you can, to let me know if you're happy for me to use pictures from your site for this?

          I look forward to hearing from you!

          jillinamillion@y7mail.com

          Jill @ Creating my way to Success
          http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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        26. Many thanks friends for your wonderful comments:)

          Thank you so much Jill. I'm delighted to hear that great news. Thank you once again :)

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        27. Very interesting to read! Thanks for the info and these look great!

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        28. Hey Ambreen do participate in the ongoing event and send me some delicious recipes of yours and get a chance to win a gift :)
          A Girl's Diary
          Event:
          What's On Your Kebab Platter

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        29. What a special fritter recipe! They look very delicious.

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        30. Fritters looks sooo addictive and crispy..yumm!

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        31. love these pakoras...
          lovely blog

          new follower
          http://saharawans.blogspot.com/

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        32. Thank you Priya, Lisa, Angie, Priya for your wonderful comments :)

          Thank you Khushi for the invite. Would love to participate :)

          Welcome Sahar. Thanks for following & for your sweet comment :)

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        33. I love anything in a fritter form and I have never heard of spinach in fritters! Yummy! I hope you will link this up at my blog party tomorrow! Yummmmm and you have been pinned!

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        34. YUM!!! They look so delicious! Thank you so much for linking up!

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        35. These look like "U cannot just eat one" :)

          Thanks For Linking it with Iftar Nights..

          Jabeen's Corner

          Ongoing Event-Iftar nights

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        36. Thank you Erin, Terrie & Mehjabeen for your lovely comments :)

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        37. THANK YOU so much for sharing your recipe with me at Cast Party Wednesday. I'd like to invite you back this week.
          Thanks,
          I hope to see you again!

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        38. The pakoras look hot and yummy.

          We have a link-up party going on - Tea Time Thursdays @ Kreative Korner. I would really appreciate if you'd link up some of your awesome posts there. Hope to see you at the party.

          http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-time-thursdays-2-and-features.html

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        39. My favourite pakoda.....looks delectable....

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        40. Thank you Sheryl for the invite :)

          Welcome Tanya & thank you for the invite. Would love to join your party :)

          Thank you Lubna for your nice words about the recipe :)

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