Vegetable Manchurian Balls in Hot and Spicy Garlic Sauce
A classic Indo-Chinese dish, Vegetable Manchurian Balls in Hot and Spicy Garlic Sauce combines the crispy, deep-fried vegetable balls with a flavorful, fiery chilli garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for a main course dinner, full of bold flavors and textures. The Vegetable Manchurian Balls are made from finely minced vegetables that are deep fried and then tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce that provides a perfect contrast to their crispy exterior. When served alongside veggie Hakka noodles, this dish becomes a complete and satisfying meal.
Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Course: Dinner
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
For Vegetable Manchurian Balls:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Potatoes (Aloo), boiled & mashed | 2 medium-sized |
| Cabbage (Patta Gobi/ Muttaikose), finely minced | 1 cup |
| Carrot (Gajjar), finely grated | 2 medium carrots |
| Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum), finely chopped | 1 small |
| Onion, finely chopped | 1 medium |
| Corn flour | 2 tbsp |
| Black pepper powder | 1/4 tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil (for frying) | As needed |
For Hot & Spicy Chilli Garlic Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Corn flour | 1-1/2 tbsp |
| Water | 1-1/2 cups |
| Soy sauce | 1 tsp |
| Honey | 1 tbsp |
| Red Chilli sauce | 2 tbsp |
| Sesame (Gingelly) oil | 1 tsp |
| Garlic, finely chopped | 4 cloves |
| Green Chillies, finely chopped | 2 small |
| Ginger, finely chopped | 2 inches |
| Spring Onion (Bulb & Greens), finely chopped | 2 sprigs |
| Salt | To taste |
For Veggie Hakka Noodles:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Hakka Noodles | 150 grams |
| Oil | 1 tbsp |
| Onion, thinly sliced | 2 medium |
| Spring Onion (Bulb & Greens), finely chopped | 4 sprigs |
| Ginger, finely chopped | 1 inch |
| Carrot, thinly sliced | 1 medium |
| Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum), thinly sliced | 1 small |
| Cabbage (Patta Gobi/ Muttaikose), thinly sliced | 1 cup |
| Green beans, thinly sliced | 1/2 cup |
| Black pepper powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Soy sauce | 1/2 tsp |
| Red Chilli sauce | 1 tsp |
| Chilli vinegar | 1/2 tsp |
| Spring Onion Greens (for garnish) | 2 sprigs |
| Salt | To taste |
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves: 4
Instructions:
Preparing the Vegetable Manchurian Balls:
-
Prepare the Ingredients:
Begin by gathering all your ingredients for the Vegetable Manchurian Balls. Make sure the potatoes are boiled and mashed, the vegetables are finely chopped or grated, and everything is within reach. -
Mix the Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, finely minced cabbage, grated carrots, chopped green bell pepper, and onions. Add the corn flour, black pepper powder, and salt. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until it forms a thick, firm dough. If needed, add a few drops of water to bind the mixture. -
Shape the Balls:
Divide the mixture into small portions and roll them into bite-sized balls, about 8-10 in total. -
Fry the Balls:
Preheat a paniyaram pan (or a shallow frying pan) and drizzle a little oil into each cavity. Place the vegetable balls in the pan and cook them, turning occasionally, until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drain the excess oil by placing the balls on paper towels. Continue frying the remaining balls in batches.
Making the Hot & Spicy Chilli Garlic Sauce:
-
Prepare the Sauce Base:
In a small mixing bowl, combine the corn flour with the water and stir to dissolve. Add the soy sauce, honey, red chilli sauce, and a pinch of salt to this mixture and whisk everything together. -
Cook the Sauce:
Heat a wok or frying pan on high heat and add a little sesame oil. Once hot, add the garlic, ginger, green chillies, and chopped spring onions. Stir-fry these ingredients for a few seconds until they become fragrant. -
Add the Corn Flour Mixture:
Pour the prepared corn flour and water mixture into the pan. Cook on high heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and the corn flour is fully cooked. Taste and adjust the salt and chilli levels to your preference. -
Combine the Manchurian Balls with the Sauce:
Once the sauce is ready, add the fried vegetable balls into the pan and toss them gently to coat with the sauce. Stir-fry on high heat for a couple of minutes to ensure the balls absorb the sauce and become beautifully glazed.
Preparing the Veggie Hakka Noodles:
-
Cook the Noodles:
Boil the Hakka noodles according to the package instructions. Once done, immediately run them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming mushy. Toss the noodles with a tablespoon of oil to keep them from sticking together. -
Stir-fry the Vegetables:
Heat oil in a large frying pan on high heat. Add the sliced onions and ginger and sauté them until the onions soften. Next, add the sliced capsicum, carrots, green beans, cabbage, and spring onions. Stir-fry the vegetables on high heat until they retain their crispness but are cooked through. -
Season the Veggies:
Once the vegetables are done, add the black pepper powder, soy sauce, red chilli sauce, and chilli vinegar. Stir well and let it cook for another 2 minutes. -
Add the Noodles:
Add the cooled noodles into the pan with the vegetables. Stir everything together to combine, ensuring the noodles are well-coated with the sauce and vegetables. Once combined, turn off the heat and transfer the Veggie Hakka Noodles to a serving bowl.
Final Assembly:
-
Assemble the Dish:
In a large serving bowl (or individual bowls), spoon a portion of the prepared veggie noodles. Add a ladle full of the Vegetable Manchurian Balls with sauce on top or to the side of the noodles. For extra sauce, feel free to drizzle more of the chilli garlic sauce over the top. -
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the dish with freshly chopped spring onion greens for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve the Vegetable Manchurian Balls in Hot and Spicy Garlic Sauce with Veggie Hakka Noodles while hot for the best flavor and experience.
Tips for the Perfect Vegetable Manchurian Balls:
- Crispy Texture: Ensure the vegetable mixture is firm enough to hold its shape during frying. The addition of corn flour helps bind everything together and gives the balls a crispy texture.
- Adjust Spice Levels: You can adjust the amount of green chillies, red chilli sauce, and soy sauce to suit your spice preference. For a milder version, reduce the amount of chilli used.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like peas, mushrooms, or beans in place of or in addition to the ingredients mentioned.
- Serving Style: This dish is versatile and can be served with steamed rice, plain noodles, or even as an appetizer without the noodles.
Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful dish that brings the best of Indo-Chinese cuisine to your dinner table!
