Bari Kadhi

Recipe Source : Ma

My parents are here these days, and I have been learning a whole lot of recipes from them. Bari (Pakora) Kari (Kadhi) is a popular dish in Bihar. Unlike the other Kadhis where the fritters are made with either Spinach or Potato or Onion, here the fritters are made with besan (chickpea flour) only. Without further ado, I present to you, my Ma's signature Kadhi recipe.
For the Fritters (Bari)
1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
1/4 tsp haldi powder
1/4 tsp red chilli powder
A pinch baking soda
Salt to taste

Mix all the above ingredients with a little water to make the batter, like you would to make pakoras. Keep aside for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile fill a bowl with cold water and keep aside. Heat oil in a pan. Taking a little batter in your palm or a spoon, drop the batter in the hot oil and deep fry till the pakora turns a light golden brown. Remove and drop in the bowl of cold water. Continue till all the batter is finished and the pakoras are soaking in the cold water.
For the Kadhi
1 cup besan
1 1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 tsp haldi powder
3/4 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground garam masala powder
1 tsp each cumin powder & coriander powder
1 tomato, chopped
Salt to taste
6 cups water
1/2 tsp oil
Chopped coriander leaves to garnish
Mix besan + yogurt + haldi powder + red chilli powder + cumin powder + coriander powder + salt + 6 cups of water. Heat oil in a dutch oven and add this besan-yogurt mix. Cook on medium heat till the raw smell of besan disappears and the gravy begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Add the garam masala and chopped tomato and cook on medium heat for another 10 minutes. Remove the pakoras (fritters) from the water and add to the gravy. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Tadka
1/2 tsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 dry red chilli, broken into 2 and de-seeded
1/4 tsp asafoetida(hing)

Heat oil in a small pan and add the hing. Now add the red chilli and cumin seeds. When the seeds begin to sizzle, add the tadka to the Kadhi. Now add the chopped coriander leaves. Mix well. Serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy!!