Onion Bhaji Burger

Cibare 21

By Emma Walton-Moore

One of the things I miss most about life before lockdown is street food markets. Halloumi fries, fully loaded hot dogs, bittersweet chocolate dipped churros... some of the best food comes out of a truck on the side of the road or in a car park. But in these tough times we can’t give up. We can recreate some of the best, over the top, decadent, street food at home! Let’s start with the Onion Bhaji Burger. (If you want to be extra decadent you can add a samosa to the bun too - I promise I won’t judge!)

For the onion bhajis • 1largewhiteonion • 3tspgroundcoriander • 1/2tspgroundcumin • 1tspcuminseeds • 1tspsalt • 1.5tbspmediumcurrypowder • 100gramschickpeaflour • 100to150millilitresbeer For the raita • 150gramscoconut • 1/2acucumber • Freshmint • 1pinchofsalt yogurt To assemble • 4burgerbuns • Auberginepickle • Babyspinach • 2beeftomatoes, • Freshcoriander sliced Method:

Ingredients:

To make the onion bhajis

1. Thinly slice the onion and add to a bowl with the spices and chickpea flour. 2. Toss the onions in the spice and chickpea flour mix to ensure they are well coated. 3. Pour in the beer and mix well until you have a thick batter encasing the Cibare Magazine www.cibare.co.uk

sliced onion. 4. Heat the oil to roughly 165°C. You can test the oil is ready by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil - it’s ready when the batter bubbles immediately. 5. Take roughly 2 heaped tablespoons of the batter to the pan and flatten gently. 6. Cook each bhaji for roughly 4 to 5 minutes on each side until crisp and golden brown.

To make the raita

1. Grate the coconut and thinly slice the mint leaves. 2. Add the coconut yogurt to a bowl along with the grated cucumber, mint and salt. 3. Mix well and place to one side until ready to assemble.

To assemble

1. Cut the burger buns in half and lightly toast. 2. Spread one half with the raita and the other half with the aubergine pickle. 3. Add the baby spinach and sliced tomato to the bottom half of the bun. 4. Top with 2 to 3 onion bhajis adding raita and pickle in between each (don’t be scared to stack them high!) 5. Finish with a few coriander leaves over the top of the bun and serve.