Going plant-based doesn’t have to be boring. It’s so exciting when we try new things. These red lentil fritters (bhajias) are crispy and delicious. They are very popular in Gujarat, India. Yes they are fried and amazing hot and fresh. I love making them as lettuce wraps and add my tamarind chutney and kachumber ( an Indian pico de gallo) Recipe for kachumber berlow and tamarind chutney here.

• Serves 8

• Prep time 20 mins

• Cook time 40 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups red split lentils

• 1 tbsp garlic paste

• 1tbsp ginger paste

• 2 tbsp organic sugar

• 1 tsp Himalayan salt

• 1tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp cayenne

• 1 tsp cumin ground

• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

• Oil for frying (grapeseed or sunflower)

Ingredients for katchumber

• ½ red onion, finely chopped

• ½ carrot, finely chopped

• ½ cucumber, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

• lemon juice of ½ a lemon

• pinch cayenne (to taste)

• pinch Himalayan salt (to taste)

Directions

1. Soak lentils for 4-5 hours; rinse and add all ingredients into a food processor and grind for about 30 seconds to a minute till all lentils are ground and mixture is nicely combined.

2. In a wok or deep frying pan heat oil to medium high

3. Fry teaspoon fulls of red lentil mixture and fry till golden brown (about 7 mins) Remove and place on paper towel to drain the oil.

4. Decorate on a bed of lettuce and serve with katchumber and tamarind chutney like a lettuce wrap
   

Directions for Katchumber

Dice all ingredients and mix.  Serve as a condiment to most indian dishes. Serve also as a topping with red lentil bhajias in a lettuce wrap.

Enjoy!!