One thing is clear- Chahe zamaana kitna bhi badal jaye, Chai-pakode ka rishta will remain the same. And when it comes to pakode, you can’t not talk about palak pakode or spinach pakora. Crispy, spice, masaledar, lajawab palak ke pakode should be named the king of fried vegetables. There is not one city in India that does not eat this in some form or other. Today we are focusing on the rainy days pakode - The OG spinach bhajia recipe!

Recipe #1 - Palak pakode (Indians can fry anything & make it tasty)

Ingredients-

• ½ cup besan
• 200 g washed palak, chopped
• Chopped Pudina leaves
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup rice flour
• Chopped green chili
• Spices- chilli powder, amchur, dhaniya powder, salt
• Baking soda-1 tsp
• Oil for frying

Method-

1. Make a batter by mixing besan, rice flour, baking soda and spices.
2. Let the batter sit for 15 to 20 minutes
3. Mix the spinach with pudina leaves and green chillies
4. Add salt to the mixture and drain access water
5. Heat oil in a kadhai till its bubbling
6. Now take a spinach mixture and add it to the batter
7. Take a handful of batter-covered spinach and put it in the oil
8. Fry these according to the size you like.
9. While hot, sprinkle some chat masala and serve with pudina chutney!

Recipe #2

Ingredients-

• 1 Cup Besan (Gram Flour)
• 4 tbsp Rice Flour
• 4 Cups Spinach
• 2 Small Onion
• 2 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
• 2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Ajwain (Carom Seeds)
• 2 tsp Salt, or to taste
• Oil for frying

Method-

1. Remember to wash the leaves twice, and remove the stem.
2. Slice the onions thinly and add to the spinach.
3. Mix all the spices and the ginger garlic paste. Let the mixture rest as it releases water.
4. Mix the besan and the rice flour in a bowl and then add it to the spinach bowl.
5. Mix all the ingredients together to form a thick batter. You can thin the batter by adding water.
6. Heat oil in kadhai and drop bite-sized pakodas into the oil
7. Fry till golden brown and then take them out
8. Serve with chutney or tomato sauce!

Now you are all ready for your monsoon date with this amazing spinach pakora recipe! Enjoy the rainy season!