Lotus Fritters (Nadur Monji)

Ingredients

• 1 thick lotus root
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon red chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme seeds, powdered
• Water, as required
• 2 cups oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Wash the lotus root thoroughly. Cut into 5 cm lengths and further cut into strips. Drain and pat the strips dry.
2. Make a thin batter of rice flour, salt, chile powder, cumin and thyme powder.
3. Dip the strips in the batter and drop a handful of the tangled strips into a kadhai with sizzling hot oil.
4. Fry until crisp and reddish-brown in color.
5. Remove, drain and serve hot.