Vegetable Fritters

Vegetable fritters are a delightful and flavorful dish that combines a variety of colorful vegetables with a light and crispy batter. This recipe features a batter made from wholemeal flour, olive oil, and a hint of cayenne pepper for a touch of spice. The vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, mangetout, carrot, and red pepper, are briefly blanched before being dipped in the batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The fritters are served piping hot with a tangy and sweet pineapple sauce, made with pineapple juice, vegetable stock, white wine vinegar, brown sugar, and cornflour. This dish is perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish to complement a main meal.

INGREDIENTS:

For the fritters:

• 100g/4oz wholemeal flour
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 100g/4oz broccoli florets
• 100g/4oz cauliflower florets
• 50g/2oz mangetout
• 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 egg whites
• Vegetable oil for deep-frying

For the sauce:

• 150ml/5fl oz pineapple juice
• 150ml/5fl oz vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soft brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornflour
• 2 spring onions, chopped

PREPARATION:

1. Sift the wholemeal flour and salt into a large bowl. Add the cayenne pepper and make a well in the center of the flour.
2. Gradually beat in the olive oil and 175ml/6fl oz cold water to form a smooth batter.
3. Put the broccoli, cauliflower, mangetout, carrot, and red pepper in a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then drain well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the flour batter.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer to 170°–180°C/325°–350°F (a cube of bread should brown in 30 seconds).
6. Dip the blanched vegetables into the batter, turning to coat them well. Allow any excess batter to drain off.
7. Fry the battered vegetables in batches until golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and drain them on kitchen paper.
8. In a heavy saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, vegetable stock, white wine vinegar, brown sugar, and cornflour for the sauce. Bring to a boil while stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes clear.
9. Serve the piping-hot vegetable fritters with the tangy and sweet pineapple sauce, garnished with chopped spring onions.

YIELD:

This recipe yields a serving of vegetable fritters for 4 people.

TIPS:

• Make sure to blanch the vegetables briefly to maintain their crispness and vibrant colors.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the batter to suit your desired level of spiciness.
• Test the oil temperature before frying by using a cube of bread. It should brown in 30 seconds to indicate that the oil is at the right temperature for frying.
• Serve the fritters immediately after frying to enjoy them at their crispy best.

Vegetable fritters are a delicious and versatile dish that combines a variety of colorful vegetables with a light and crispy batter. This recipe takes it up a notch by using wholemeal flour and a hint of cayenne pepper for added flavor. The blanched vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, mangetout, carrot, and red pepper, are coated in the batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a satisfying and flavorful appetizer or side dish that is sure to impress.

To complement the fritters, a tangy and sweet pineapple sauce is served on the side. Made with pineapple juice, vegetable stock, white wine vinegar, brown sugar, and cornflour, this sauce adds a delightful contrast to the crispy fritters. The addition of chopped spring onions as a garnish provides a fresh and vibrant finish.

Vegetable fritters are perfect for entertaining guests or as a tasty snack for yourself. They can be served as an appetizer before a meal or as a side dish alongside a main course. The combination of textures and flavors makes these fritters a delightful treat for any occasion.

Whether you’re a fan of vegetables or simply looking for a tasty way to incorporate more veggies into your diet, these vegetable fritters are a winner. Give them a try and enjoy the crispy goodness with the tangy pineapple sauce!