Cauliflower Fritters

Ingredients

• 1 Cauliflower (large)
• 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
• as needed Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Chili powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garam masala powder
• 1/2 cup Maida (all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 cup Rusk powder or dried bread crumbs
• Oil (as needed)

Instructions

1. Cut the cauliflower into large florets and wash well. Heat water in a wide pot and add salt and turmeric powder.
2. Once the water boils, add the cauliflower florets, remove from heat, and cover with a lid for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and spread on a cloth to cool.
3. Mix salt, chili powder, and garam masala powder into the maida, then add water to make a bajji-style batter.
4. Dip each cauliflower floret in the batter, roll in the bread crumbs, and deep-fry in oil. Serve with tomato sauce.
5. Cauliflower can be used to make several other tasty snacks the same way. A few sample notes: (1) Blanch the cauliflower in hot water, pat dry, fry it as is, and dust with salt and chili powder before serving. (2) Grind cashews, poppy seeds, roasted gram, salt, fennel, chili powder, and garam masala powder into a thick paste with a little water; mix in a little rice flour and maida, dip the blanched cauliflower florets in this batter, and deep-fry until golden. (3) Grind dried red chili, coriander seeds, cumin, soaked tamarind, coconut, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, a little soaked raw rice, and salt into a paste; dip the cooked cauliflower in this and fry.
6. Note: some cauliflower heads have small insects clinging to them that won't rinse off no matter how much you wash. Soak the florets in lukewarm water with a little vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse -- this brings the insects out.