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Chilli gobhi is one of the more popular Indo-Chinese dishes, combining crispy fried cauliflower with a rich mix of vivid sauces and spices. It's pretty delicious, but the beauty of the dish is also a nice way to enjoy vegetables, as it's all about flavour.
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The delicate cauliflower paired with that pungent, spicy sauce it's served with makes this quite an irresistible appetiser or side for any meal.
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Alright, let's get started making this succulent flavour that's bound to send your family and friends flying out of their seats.
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Take one whole cauliflower and break it up into bite-sized florets. For the cauliflower to be tender and full of flavour, you will need to fill a large pot full of plenty of water and add 2 teaspoons of salt.
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Bring the water to a boil, then add the cauliflower florets. Blanch the florets for about 2-3 minutes until tender but still crisp. After blanching, remove the cauliflower from the water and wash it under cold running water.
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Besides maintaining that bright yellow cauliflower, this will also add flavour. Add ¼ cup of milk to the blanched cauliflower. This will help the florets to become soft when fried. Soak the cauliflower for a few minutes while making the batter.
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In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup corn starch, a teaspoon of baking powder, and salt according to your choice, and mix it to a thick batter.
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Gradually add water to make the batter smooth and thick enough so that it clings onto the florets of cauliflower without being too runny.
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Once ready with the batter, heat some oil in a deep frying pan, allowing it to get medium-hot. Then, take each cauliflower floret, coat it well in the batter, and drop it into the hot oil.
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Fry the florets in batches until they are lightly browned and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Fry that cauliflower in hot oil; then take it out of the oil, and place it on some paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
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Now, get ready for the sauce that will make this dish come alive. In another pan, over a medium flame, heat two tablespoons of oil.
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Once the oil is hot, add two tablespoons of finely chopped ginger and 3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic. Saut them until they are fragrant and golden. Add 2 diced green chillies, 1 cubed onion, and 1 tri-colour bell pepper (capsicum). Stir-fry the vegetables for some time till they are tender but crisp. The colour of the bell peppers will not only flavour it up appetisingly but also add much to its visual appeal.
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For the sauce: add one teaspoon of chilli powder for a little kick, followed by three tablespoons of red chilli sauce and tomato ketchup.
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The sauces will create a rich base, having this balance of heat and sweetness. Add 1 Tsp of vinegar, 3 Tbsp of green chilli sauce, and one teaspoon of soy sauce into it. Stir it so the two sauces are well mixed.
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Season with salt and then put 2 teaspoons sugar to balance it out. For the sauce to thicken, add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with water, put it in the pan, and stir it continuously over the fire until it slightly thickens.
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Once done, gently fold the fried cauliflower florets into the sauce so each one is coated with a savoury flavour. Allow the cauliflower to sit for another minute or two to absorb the flavours of the sauce.
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To serve, transfer the chilli gobhi to a serving dish and garnish with chopped spring onions for that fresh crunch. Enjoy hot fried rice or noodles to go well with it, or it can even work as a great snack on its own.
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Conclusion: Recipe of Chilli Gobhi is an amazing pleasure, wrapping around you the crunch of fried cauliflower and spicy, tangy sauce; thus, it is a real treat for your senses.
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Very suitable for any get-together or just a little something for you. Enjoy these bold flavours and crispy textures, making this dish a favourite in many houses!