Bakwan - Indonesian Vegetable Fritters

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (30g) rice flour 1/4 cup (30g) rice flour
• 2 tablespoons (15g) cornstarch 2 tablespoons (15g) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 cup shredded carrots 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup shredded cabbage 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts 1/2 cup bean sprouts
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rice flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, turmeric, coriander, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
2. 2.
   Add the shredded carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts, and sliced scallions to the bowl. Mix well until the vegetables are coated with the flour mixture.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Drop spoonfuls of the vegetable mixture into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the fritters until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. 5.
   Remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. 6.
   Repeat the frying process with the remaining vegetable mixture.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bakwan hot with your choice of dipping sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Carrots — Make sure to shred the carrots finely to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the fritters.
• Cabbage — Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage before shredding. Finely shred the cabbage to ensure a tender texture in the fritters.
• Bean sprouts — Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly and pat them dry before adding them to the batter. This will prevent excess moisture in the fritters.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra crispiness, you can add a tablespoon of cold sparkling water to the batter.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini to the fritters for added flavor and texture.
• Serve the Bakwan immediately after frying to enjoy them at their crispiest.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper to the batter.
• To make the fritters more substantial, you can add cooked shrimp or diced tofu to the vegetable mixture.

Serving advice

Serve the Bakwan as a snack or appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. They are best enjoyed hot and crispy.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Bakwan on a platter and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves or sliced scallions for a pop of color. Serve them alongside the dipping sauce in small bowls or ramekins.