Gobi Manchurian

This was my favorite back at college. Since our hostel mess didn't have it on the menu, we used to buy this from a road-side vendor near the hostel. I guess the cost was Rs.10 and being the thrifty student I was, I would buy either mollaga bajji, black forest cake, egg puff or this depending on the budget at hand.
After I started venturing into the kitchen, I have tried this a couple of times and failed miserably. And again, Uma , who I have started idolizing by now, blessed me with her insight into this and boom I got it all right. Here is how I got it right.

What goes in
Cauliflower - 1 medium head
Green chillies - 6
Garlic - 5 pods
Ginger - about an inch
Onion - 1
Green Bell Peppers - 1
Turmeric powder
Chilli powder
Soy sauce
Salt/Aji-no-moto

For the garnish
cilantro, Green Onions

For the batter
All purpose flour/maida - 1 cup
Corn flour - 2 tbsp
Rice flour - 1 tbsp (optional)
Salt

Preparing the Cauliflower
Cut it into medium florets and soak in hot water for 5 mins. Spread the florets evenly on a plate and microwave it for 5 minutes. The florets should be partially soft and not mushy.

Mix the batter with the ingredients given above and beat it well until you see all the lumps gone. The batter shouldn't be too thin. It should be thick enough to coat the florets evenly. You should be able to see the coating. Add the florets in batches.

Heat oil in a kadai and fry the florets in batches.


1.Cut the onions into medium slices and chop the garlic,green chillies and ginger very finely.
2.Add oil in another kadai and fry the green chillies, ginger and garlic in medium heat. This will give a mild garlicky taste the recipe.
3. When the onion is half done, add the capsicum.
4. After the capsicum is cooked well , add 2 tbsp of Heinz tomato sauce. Adding more of this will make the manchurian soggy. Add some turmeric and chilli powder according to taste.
5. Add some chopped cilantro.
6. Finally add salt and some soy sauce
7. Add the fried florets to this and add some soy sauce , and a pinch of ajinomoto and toss well. Make sure all the florets gets the even color.
8. Garnish with more cilantro and green onions.