About Me

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Back in the 80s, I wrote a book called "Voyaging on a Small Income", which was published and sold astonishingly well. It’s become almost a “classic” and is probably why you’ve found this site! I’ve been living aboard and sailing since the 70s. Nine different boats have been home, sometimes for several months, sometimes for many years. I love the way of life, the small footprint and being close to Nature. I’m a great fan of junk rig and having extensive experience with both gaff and bermudian rig, I wouldn’t have any other sail on my boat. It’s ideal as a voyaging rig, but also perfect for the coastal sailing that I now do. I’d rather stay in New Zealand, not having to keep saying goodbye to friends, than go voyaging, these days. Between 2015 and 2021, I built the 26ft "FanShi", the boat I now call home. For the last 45 years or so, my diet of choice has been vegetarian and is now almost vegan. I love cooking and particularly enjoy having only myself to please. I am combining all these interests (apart, perhaps, from junk rig!) in this blog. I hope you enjoy it. I also have other blogs: www.anniehill.blogspot.com and http://fanshiwanderingandwondering.wordpress.com

01 April 2023

Pakora

These little, crisp savoury fritters make a delicious starter to an Indian-style meal. They can also be served as a snack or with drinks.
 
Serves 4 for a starter
 
1/4 cup gram flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
1/8 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/8 tsp chilli flakes
1/4 tsp methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1/4 cup water
a few drops hot sauce
2 onions
oil for frying

Method: 
  • Mix the flour, salt and baking powder together. If the flour is a little bit lumpy, use a mini whisk. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chilli flakes and methi.
  • Now add the water and mix to make a smooth paste. Add the hot sauce.
  • Dice the onion and separate it into pieces. Add these to the batter and mix very thoroughly so that all the onion pieces are coated in batter.
  • Heat a few tbsp oil in a small saucepan, wok or frying pan.
  • When the oil is hot, test it by dropping in 1/2 tsp batter. This should instantly puff up and float on the surface.
  • When this happens, drop in tablespoonfuls of onion-and-batter. They should be cooking so quickly that you will be lucky to handle more than 3 at any one time. Put one in, turn the second over, take the third one out using tongs or a perforated spoon.
  • Put on kitchen paper on a plate and keep warm. Eat them as soon as the final one is cooked.
Serve with a little yoghurt, seasoned with mint or spices, or with Indian pickle or chutney.

Variation:

  • Try other vegetables, such as green pepper, courgette, spinach, or lightly-cooked potato. Or use plantain.

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