Pholourie
These quick pholourie are light, golden fritter balls with a gentle earthy flavor from split peas and turmeric. Crisp outside and soft within, they are especially good dipped in tangy chutney or spicy sauce.
Ingredients
Pholourie batter
- 80 gyellow split pea flour
- 40 gplain flour
- 1 tspground turmeric
- 1 tspinstant yeast
- 1/2 tspfine salt
- 1 tspsugar
- 2 cloves, finely gratedgarlic
- 1 small, finely choppedfresh chili
- 110 mlwarm water
For frying and serving
- 500 mlneutral oil
- to servechutney or pepper sauce
Instructions
- 1
Set a small deep saucepan or wok over medium heat and add the oil. Heat it to about 175-180°C while you make the batter; the oil should be hot enough that a tiny drop of batter rises quickly without browning too fast.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the split pea flour, plain flour, turmeric, instant yeast, salt, and sugar so the raising and seasoning are evenly distributed.
- 3
Stir in the garlic, chili, and warm water to make a thick, scoopable batter. Beat it briskly for 1 minute to aerate it slightly; it should hold its shape loosely on a spoon but still drop off. If needed, add 1-2 teaspoons more water.
- 4
Once the oil is hot, use 2 teaspoons or a small spoon to drop small balls of batter into the oil, working in batches so the pan is not crowded. Fry for 3-4 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until puffed, evenly golden, and cooked through. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat slightly.
- 5
Lift the pholourie out with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on a rack or paper. Serve hot with chutney or pepper sauce for dipping.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a beginner-friendly quick version, split pea flour is used instead of soaking and blending whole split peas.
- •The batter should be thick, not runny; a loose batter absorbs more oil and makes flat fritters.
- •Traditionally pholourie is served with tamarind chutney, mango chutney, or a bright pepper sauce.
- •Use a small scoop or two spoons to keep the fritters evenly sized so they cook at the same rate.
Background
Pholourie is a beloved street snack in Trinidad and Tobago, with roots in the Indo-Caribbean community. It evolved from Indian fried lentil-based snacks brought by indentured laborers, then took on its own identity in the Caribbean with turmeric, pepper, and chutney accompaniments.
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