Courgette fritters

Method

• step 1

  Fritters:

• step 2

  Coarsely grate courgette and place in colander. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, mix and leave to stand for 1/2 hour.

• step 3

  Meanwhile, VERY finely chop the onion, add to a bowl with chopped coriander, finely chopped chilli, curry powder, mustard seeds and pepper.

• step 4

  After the courgette has stood for 1/2 hour, take small handfuls and squeeze as much water out as possible between your hands, retaining the juice in a bowl (used for the sauce later).

• step 5

  Combine the courgette with the onion etc.

• step 6

  Start cooking the rice.

• step 7

  Now the sauce:

• step 8

  Finely chop the onion, and fry in some oil in a saucepan. Once they have started to brown, take off the heat and briefly mix in the cumin, coriander, turmeric and cayenne. Return to the heat, stir a few times and then add the chopped tomatoes, fennel seeds and courgette juice. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.

• step 9

  Sprinkle the gram flour over the fritter ingredients, and combine to form a thick and slightly sticky mass. Take small amounts and form into walnut-sized balls, then press to form small fritter shapes. Place on a floured plate. Repeat with the rest of the mixture. It will become very sticky as you handle it!

• step 10

  Just before the rice is done, cook the fritters. Using a small spatula, very carefully place them into some hot oil in a good non-stick frying pan. Cook for a couple of minutes without too much handling (they are quite fragile until cooked). Turn and cook the other side.

• step 11

  Serving:

• step 12

  Spoon the sauce onto individual plates. Place rice in the centre (using a cooking ring to help keep shape if possible). Place three fritters on top of the rice, and garnish with a little fresh coriander.

• step 13

  Serve immediately.

• step 14

  Variation:

• step 15

  Mushroom and courgette fritters. Finely chop 100g fresh mushrooms, and fry in some margarine or butter until the liquid has released. Using a sieve, squeeze the mushroom juice into the courgette liquid, and add the mushrooms to the courgette mixture. Cook as above.