Runner bean & curry leaf bhajis with coconut chutney
- Preparation and cooking time
- Prep:
- Cook:
- Easy
- Serves 4 (makes 12)
Ingredients
For the chutney
- 3 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 4 tbsp coconut milk
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp coriander stems, finely chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- ½ lime, juiced, plus wedges to serve
For the bhajis
- 150g gram flour
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp fresh or dried curry leaves
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- pinch of ground pink peppercorns
- pinch of ground coriander seeds
- 1 tsp mild red chilli powder
- 1 tsp Sri Lankan curry powder (see recipe below) or Madras curry powder
- 200ml chilled tonic water
- 150g runner beans, trimmed and finely sliced
- 1 red onion, halved and finely sliced
- 1l vegetable oil, for frying
Method
- STEP 1
To make the chutney, put the desiccated coconut and ½ tsp salt into a bowl and pour over the coconut milk, stirring to combine. Melt the coconut oil in a pan over a medium heat and add the black mustard seeds. Fry them until they start to crackle, then add the shallot, coriander stems and chilli, and fry for a minute or so. Pour the contents of the pan into the bowl with the coconut, add the lime juice, and stir to combine.
- STEP 2
To make the bhajis, put the flours, ½ tsp salt, the curry leaves and spices in a bowl and stir to combine. Whisk in the tonic water until you have a smooth batter about the consistency of double cream. Add the runner beans and onion and, using your hands, mix it all really well with the batter.
- STEP 3
Fill a deep pan half full with vegetable oil, and put on a medium to high heat, until a piece of bread dropped in sizzles and turns golden brown within 20 seconds or so. In batches, spoon in large dollops of the runner bean batter. Fry for 3-5 mins until golden and crispy, then drain on kitchen paper. Season well, then serve with the chutney and lime wedges.