Recipe: Milagai Bajji 

Large green chillies stuffed with a tangy spiced filling, then coated in batter and fried whole. Bold and a little fiery, this one’s for readers who want their tea-time snack to bring some heat.

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6-8 large, mild green chillies (bajji chillies)
• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 2 tbsp rice flour
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• A pinch of baking soda
• Salt to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for deep frying

For the stuffing

• 2 tbsp roasted gram (chana dal), coarsely ground
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
• Salt to taste

Get the ingredients here

Method

1. Slit the chillies lengthwise, keeping the stem intact, and scoop out the seeds gently.
2. Mix the stuffing ingredients and fill each chilli generously.
3. In a bowl, whisk besan, rice flour, turmeric, baking soda, and salt with water to make a thick, smooth batter.
4. Heat oil in a kadai on medium heat.
5. Dip each stuffed chilli into the batter, coating it fully, and slide gently into the hot oil.
6. Fry until golden and crisp on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with coconut or tamarind chutney.