3 fresh or frozen corn cobs OR 2 1/3 cups frozen or well-drained canned corn kernels
3 large green chillies, de-seeded and sliced finely
½ cup plain flour
½ cup rice flour
¼ tsp baking powder
large pinch sea salt
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp cayenne or chilli powder
1 tsp asafoetida* OR 1 clove crushed garlic
oil for frying; 6 large macadamias (optional)
¾ cup cold water
½ cup (about one stalk) finely diced celery including the leaves
Coarsely chop or crush the corn kernels in a blender or food processor very briefly to give a mixture of crushed corn and corn pieces
Mix the flours, baking powder, sea salt, coriander, sugar, chilli, asafoetida in a bowl and mix well to combine.
Heat a little oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the nuts and toss well until they are golden brown. Remove from the oil, drain well and finely crush the nuts in a blender or spice grinder or mortar and pestle until they are a powder.
Add about three-quarters of the water to the flour and spice mixture, a little at a time and whisk with a balloon whisk until the flour is completely incorporated and you have a very smooth but very thick batter.
Add the corn kernels, crushed nuts, finely chopped chillies and celery to the mixture and stir well to completely combine. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water – you want it to be thick but a spoonable batter.
Heat a large heavy-based fry-pan over medium heat and add enough oil to come 1.5cm up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil, then drop in heaped tablespoonfuls of the corn batter. Cook about three at a time for 4 minutes on each side. Cook until they are golden brown and crispy on each side. Remove, set aside and keep warm while you finish off the remaining batter.
Serve at once with some basmati rice, or some dhal. You could also serve with poppadums.
I'm omitting the asafoetida and using garlic, and leaving out the macadamias (although they'd be a nice touch). I don't know if I actually have rice flour, so if I don't, I'm going to use 3/4 cup flour in total instead.
