Crispy Red Lentil Balls with Mild Spices

🥗 Crispy Red Lentil Balls with Mild Spices

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Serves: 4 people (about 20 balls)
⏱️ Prep time: 30 minutes (including 15 minutes cooking)

📝 Ingredients (for about 20 balls)
🟠 Red lentils: 150 g (cooked and well drained)
🧅 Small yellow onion: 1 (finely chopped)
🌿 Fresh coriander: 1 tbsp (finely chopped)
🧄 Garlic clove: 1 (crushed)
🟡 Ground cumin: 1 tsp
🔸 Turmeric: ½ tsp
🧂 Salt: a pinch
⚫ Black pepper: a pinch
🌾 Chickpea flour: 3 tbsp (to bind the dough)
🍞 Fine breadcrumbs: 100 g (for coating)
🛢️ Vegetable oil: 400 ml (for frying)

🔪 Step-by-step preparation

1️⃣ 🍲 Cook the lentils
Boil the red lentils in unsalted water for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain very well to remove excess moisture.

2️⃣ 🥣 Prepare the dough
In a large bowl, roughly mash the cooked lentils with a fork. Add the onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, and chickpea flour. Mix well until you get a smooth, pliable dough that isn’t sticky.

3️⃣ 👐 Shape the balls
With slightly wet hands, form small balls about the size of a walnut (around 20 g each). Roll them in the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

4️⃣ 🔥 Fry the balls
Heat the oil in a pot to 170°C (340°F). Fry the balls in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
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