A great recipe
South African chilli bites, are a popular snack or appetizer in South African cuisine. They have their origin in India and were brought to the country Indian indentured labourers Here’s a recipe to make them:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped green chillies (remove seeds for less heat)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well.
- Add the chopped coriander, green onions, and green chillies to the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
- Add the vegetable oil and water to the mixture and stir until a thick batter forms.
- Heat the oil for deep frying in a medium-sized pot or deep fryer.
- Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the chilli bites from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the chilli bites hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as sweet chilli sauce or tamarind chutney.
Note: Be careful when working with hot oil, and make sure the chilli bites are fully cooked and crispy before removing them from the oil. Adjust the level of spiciness to your taste preferences by adding or reducing the amount of green chillies and cayenne pepper.
