Baked Onion Pakoda Snack -- An attempt at Eating Healthy

I have been reading ( a lot, according to the Arien), but I am yet to update the blog with my book reviews. Don't hold your breath - I probably will not be updating the blog with those reviews :) Finding time to read the books consumes all my free-time and so writing has taken a back-seat. Anyway, today I am back with a recipe for a baked snack. The Arien has been pushing me towards the whole diet thing but I have always found some way to escape -- not this time and I am glad I was open to the idea.

If you have issues getting out of the fried snacks mode, this recipe may help you. What you will need:

• Convection microwave or oven, baking tray
• Besan, 1 cup 
• 1 onion, chopped fine
• Corriander leaves, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• Red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp
• 3/4 tsp baking powder or 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp melted butter, or oil, and salt as required
• Aluminium foil

How to:

Mix besan, onion, chilli, corriander, baking powder, salt and a little water to make a thick batter. Add the oil to the batter and ensure the oil is spread evenly on the batter. (You can also add oil initially but I prefer to do it in the end). Pre-heat the oven at 400 F. Add aluminium foil to the baking tray and grease it with a lil butter. Take small portions of the batter, arrange them on the tray in a manner that they do not mix. Add the tray to the oven and bake for 20 mts. 

You can turn the pakodas over in between so that they do not turn dark brown on only one side. However, if you have not greased the aluminium foil, this may be a difficult task. 

They will not taste like the fried onion pakodas but you are eating healthy and also satisfying a craving for the pakoda! If your portions are big, you may feel that the pakoda is not cooked -- so look at creating smaller portions so that they are completely cooked. 

The pic on the left shows you how mine turned out :) Happy cooking you all!!  Try it and let me know how you like it.