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Manipuri bora
Gram flour fritters
বোরা: Meitei gram-flour fritters with onion, herbs and seasonal greens
Bora are the crisp fritters that Meitei families fry for evening tea, for guests and for festivals like Cheiraoba, using whatever is in season: onion and herbs, gourd flowers, or tender greens. The batter is gram flour with a little rice flour, so they stay crisp. The common mistake is a thick batter that makes doughy fritters; it should just coat the vegetables. Fill the pan no more than a third deep with oil, test it with a drop of batter (it should rise in 2–3 seconds) and never leave it unattended. Chef's tip: mix the batter just before frying so the vegetables don't weep and make it watery.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the fritters
- 4 oz gram flour (besan)
- 1 oz rice flour
- 1 onionthinly sliced
- 2 ⅞ oz spinach, mustard greens or gourd flowersshredded
- 2 green chillieschopped
- 4 tbsp coriander and mint leaveschopped
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ cup waterapproximately
- 2 cups oilfor deep-frying
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 4 oz gram flour (besan), 1 oz rice flour, ¼ tsp ground turmeric and ¾ tsp salt. Add 1 onion, 2 ⅞ oz spinach, mustard greens or gourd flowers, 2 green chillies and 4 tbsp coriander and mint leaves.
5 minStep 2: Add ½ cup water a little at a time to make a thick batter that just binds the vegetables.
2 minStep 4: Drop in small spoonfuls, a few at a time, and fry, turning, until deep golden and crisp.
4 minStep 5: Drain on paper and serve hot with chutney or tea.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does manipuri bora take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of coriander and mint leaves?
- Fresh coriander, same amount.
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