Ribbon Pakoda

This is a very quick snack made in South India. The ribbon pakodas don't need any pre-preparation and the ingredients used are common household ingredients which makes this a very quick preparation for rainy and cooler evenings.

The ribbon pakodas are also made for festivals in South India.

Ingredients:
Rice flour - 4 Cups
Besan (Gram flour) - 1.5 Cups
Unsalted Butter - 100 gms
Red Chilli powder - per your taste
Salt - per your taste
Asafoetida / Hing - A pinch
Oil - for deep frying
Ribbon Pakoda tool - similar to the picture

Preparation:
Mix the Rice flour, Besan, Chilli Powder, Salt and Hing evenly in a bowl
Add Butter and mix again till consistent
Add water and make a dough similar to Chapatti/Roti dough consistency
Keep it aside closed for 5-10 minutes

In the meanwhile, heat the oil in a fry pan
Take the pakoda tool and use the ribbon pakoda mould as the base (the one separated out in the picture)



Stuff some dough in the tool and thread the lid tightly

Check if the oil is hot enough by putting a small pinch of the dough in the oil - the pakoda should sizzle and float in the oil

Now take the tool and drop the dough in the shape of ribbon pakoda into the oil directly

The oil for every round of pakodas is kept at a high heat initially, but once the pakodas are overturned, the heat is brought down to medium


After the pakodas are done (make sure if it not overdone or burnt), remove it from the oil and keep it on absorbant paper to drain out any excess oil

Once cooled, store ribbon pakodas in an airtight container

Notes:
The pakoda making tool comes in various designs - one that has a thread, one which is a press etc. Use whatever is comfortable for you - I think the threaded one will be less stress on your hands.

Enjoy these pakodas as a light snack!!