Gobi Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese dish where crispy cauliflower florets are tossed in a manchurian sauce. Does well with rice or noodles or can also be served as an appetizer. Vegan!
2tablespoonssoy sauceI used 1 tablespoon regular and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
2tablespoonstomato ketchup
1tablespoonrice vinegar
1teaspoonsriracha or any hot sauceadjust to taste
3/4teaspoonsugar
1/8teaspoonwhite pepper powder
saltto taste, if needed
For the cauliflower florets
1small headcauliflowercut into medium size florets, around 2.5 cups cut cauliflower florets
6tablespoonsflour
4tablespoonscornstarch
1teaspoonginger garlic paste
1/4teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspoonblack pepper powder
waterto form a flowing batter, around 1/2 cup + 2-3 tablespoons
oilfor frying, I used avocado oil
Instructions
To make the sauce, heat the oil in a skillet on high heat. Once hot, add the grated garlic, ginger, green chili and chopped celery.Saute for 1 minute until ginger-garlic start changing color.
Then add the chopped onion, green pepper and scallions. Cook for high heat for around 3 minutes.
Then add the soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, hot sauce (like sriracha), sugar and white pepper powder. Taste test and add salt if needed. Set aside.
Meanwhile cut and clean cauliflower florets and drop them in hot salted water. Simmer on medium heat for around 4 minutes.Drain water and place florets on a paper tissue. Pat dry each individually.
To a large bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, ginger-garlic paste, salt and pepper. Whisk and start adding water, little by little.Form a smooth, free-flowing batter. It should not be too thick or thin.
Heat oil for frying on medium heat in a kadai or pan. Once oil is hot, dip the florets into the batter. Make sure they are well coated with the batter.
Drain off the excess batter and carefully drop florets into the hot oil.Fry on medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes, until crispy and browned.
Transfer the fried cauliflower florets into the sauce (sauce should be warm when you do this).Toss to combine until all the florets are well coated with the sauce.
Garnish with scallions and serve gobi manchurian with hakka noodles or enjoy as it is!
Notes
If you want to make Gobi Manchurian with gravy: add 1 cup water to the sauce. after adding all the sauces (soy sauce, ketchup etc.). Then in a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water.Add the cornstarch slurry to the gravy and stir. Let it simmer for a minute or two, the gravy will thicken. Add florets and serve.