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A novice makes pakoras for the first time. Here's what happens

A novice makes pakoras for the first time. Here's what happens

No one ever mentioned blood, sweat and tears in the ingredients list...
Updated 16 May, 2019

Pakoras are the number one guilty pleasure during Ramazan. Who can resist them? Served nice and hot with chutney, they deliver us to heaven, right on the dining table.

I'm not much of a cook, and I've never made desi food ever. But for the love of fried fritters, I decided to venture into the kitchen and cook up a batch of these crunchy goodies.

How hard could it be, I wondered as I took those unfamiliar steps towards the stove. If videos all over internet suggest that I'm capable of whipping up whole meals in minutes, all I had to do was follow what my mom says she does.

I regret that. I regret that so much. When you aren't the best cook in the world, a simple task like making pakoras can demand the will and strength of Hercules.

What normal people need to make pakoras: besan, onions, water, potato, coriander, oil.

What I needed to make pakoras: gloves, safety goggles, shields, prayers.

I insisted to my mother that I do everything myself. Summary: she was cringing throughout.

The pakora process

Pakora making begins simply enough. I went both hands in, mixing all the ingredients in a bowl. That was the fun part, a bit messy, but I didn't mind. The mixture ended up a bit too thick, but I thought it was nothing I couldn't handle.

The mixture was a little goopy, but still manageable
The mixture was a little goopy, but still manageable

It was when boiling hot oil entered the picture, that I realized all is not well with the world. It is a vicious place full of dangers and uncertainties, all disguised as innocent everyday things like oil in a karahi.

Apparently, there's a right temperature at which one pours a dollop of the pakora mixture into the pan. I did not know that temperature. I believe that oil cooks things when it's hot. That's how it's supposed to be! The oil, however, reacted with fury, splashing up every single time. It wasn't in its happy place yet.

Here's a rundown of my thoughts during the frying process: "Ouch! Dammit! Okay, okay I got thi- ouch! Holy! Why just why! Ow ow ow! How can you even jump that far up! I hate everything!"

What frying pakoras looks like vs what frying pakoras feels like
What frying pakoras looks like vs what frying pakoras feels like

All the while, I could hear my mom in the back, asking "Beta, main ajaoon?" That was actually helpful; it'd remind me I need to get this done, and by myself. (That didn't mean I couldn't whine about it!)

The pakoras produced

The first pakora batch was a little off. The extra hot oil had crisped up the outside too fast and left the inside mushy. I sighed a heavy sigh and decided to just give it one more go. Lowered the heat a little and went forth. The oil still hated me. With a passion.

But the pakoras turned out great! The parents ate them...willingly... even when I had my back turned. I can walk with my head held high that oh yeah, I made that happen. Yes, people may be climbing Everest, but I survived pakoras!

I am never doing that again.


This story was originally published in June, 2016.

Comments

Harsh Jun 30, 2016 11:44am
Not good. Too much batter gave them a leather like look.
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Mango man Jun 30, 2016 12:03pm
Hey, practice makes perfect. Keep trying. On a side note, I am amused, you did not need a fire alarm. :p. A good write-up. I enjoyed it and Thank you.
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Goga Nalaik Jun 30, 2016 12:51pm
All is well that ends well... Cheers and send me some please :)
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Rafay Ali Khan Jun 30, 2016 05:51pm
I enjoyed reading it! :)
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AHA Jun 30, 2016 06:26pm
Pakora will be good if you mix all ingredients and keep it aside for an hour or two...
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HUMA Jul 01, 2016 12:05am
LOL.. Thank you for your piece. It was a fun read.
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gp65 Jul 01, 2016 01:17am
Enjoyed that.
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Uncle_Sam Jul 01, 2016 02:32am
Hahahaha ...... I must appreciate author's good sense of humour.
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lubnakhan Jul 01, 2016 03:17am
next time mix an egg and two table spoon of oil in batter,,,,,,, things will change ,,
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S* Jul 01, 2016 03:19am
Lol u just exaggerated .. Making pakoras s not big deal :)
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Hassan May 16, 2019 02:19pm
Maybe use a spoon or a spatula next time? It'll save you from the kisses of hot oil! Also you forgot the spices in the ingredients list.
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