Pakora recipe for a rainy day? This one is straight from Kashmir and it could very well be the best monsoon munchie you know. Nadru monje are crispy lotus stem fritters made with just rice flour, red chilli powder, cumin and salt. After frying, the inside of the lotus stem remains soft and juicy, while the outside turns crispy and crisp.
It’s the monsoon and you want to munch on something with your evening chai, then do give this Kashmiri lotus stem snack a try. It's very simple to prepare. Wash and slice the lotus stem, combine with spiced rice flour, add enough water to adhere to the lotus stem, and fry in hot oil until it turns golden brown. No whisk, no marinating and no fancy equipment. Simple, straight-up frying that instantly warms your home with the cosiest smell.
This simply gluten-free Kashmiri lotus stem snack is 100% vegan and requires less than 30 minutes of preparation. Perfect for an instant snack at the end of the day or as a popular appetiser for parties. They are attractive crispy lotus root fritters and are best fresh and hot. Serve hot topped with a traditional Kashmiri walnut chutney. This crispy nadru monje is very much part of Kashmiri traditions, but at the same time very easy to make at home.
Clean the lotus stems with running water, ensuring that all the soil is wiped out from the hollow stems inside. After they are clean, be sure to cut them into pieces about 2 inches long and thin. Put the cut bits into a sieve and let them drain and air dry for about 5 minutes to ensure that there is no excess moisture.
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Step 2: Make the dry coating
Place drained lotus stem pieces in a large mixing bowl. Add the rice flour, red chilli powder, cumin seeds and salt. Combine all ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the dry spices.
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Step 3: Bind the coating
Add a little water, a few tablespoons at a time; then mix with hands. You aren’t making a batter here. The aim is only to moisten the flour slightly, so that it adheres to the lotus stem like a dry dusting. All pieces should be well coated without being damp or dripping wet.
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Step 4: Heat the oil
Add sufficient quantity of oil to a deep pan or kadai for deep frying. Heat it on medium-high flame. To determine when the oil is ready, add a small amount of the flour mixture. It should bubble and rise to the top right away. Do not fry in under-heated oil, since this will make the fritters oily and soft.
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Step 5: Fry the fritters
Keep the flame on medium and carefully add the coated pieces of the lotus stem to the hot oil, one by one. Don't over fill the pan, if necessary, fry in batches. Allow to fry without stirring for the first minute, and then gently stir. Keep frying until they are a deep, even golden brown and are crisp all over.
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Step 6: Drain and rest
Use a slotted spoon to remove the frying nadru monje, and transfer them to a plate or bowl lined with tissue paper to drain off any extra oil. Allow to cool slightly before serving. As they cool, they'll crisp up even more.
Yes, both refer to lotus stems. Kamal kakdi is the Hindi name while nadru is the name called lovingly in Kashmir.
Nadru Monje pakora recipe is made using lotus stem, rice flour, red chilli powder, cumin seeds, salt and a little water.
Deep frying the lotus stem will give you the best crunch. Baking also works but the texture will be drier and less crispy than the traditional version.
Yes, completely. Rice flour is naturally gluten-free, making nadru monje a safe and delicious snack for gluten-intolerant people.