Crisp Lentil n Onion Fritters

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup black lentils
• water for soaking the lentils
• 1/2 cup water for grinding the lentils
• 3 pods of garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 green Serrano chilies, very finely chopped
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• 1 cup oil for frying
• chopped baby spinach to garnish

Directions

1. Wash the lentils well and soak in water for at least two hours.
2. Drain and rinse the lentils and place in a blender with 1/2 cup water.
3. dd in the garlic pods, salt, turmeric, and cumin seeds and grind to a smooth paste. The consistency of this should be a smooth, somewhat wet paste rather than a batter.
4. Place the paste into a mixing bowl and add the chilies, onions, thyme, and cilantro and mix well.
5. Heat the oil in a flat frying pan for about two to three minutes on medium heat. Test?the temperature with a small drop of the mixture, it should sizzle to the top.
6. Add about 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a few spaces, spreading them to allow enough room to let the fritters fry without overcrowding each other.
7. Fry them for about three to four minutes on each side until a nice shade of golden.
8. Drain on paper towels.
9. Arrange on a serving platter and toss with spinach leaves before serving.

Makes around 15 medium-sized fritters
Servings: 12-16