
Gobi manchurian
Enjoy this sweet and sour cauliflower side to mark a special occasion like Diwali. Keep the gravy separate until serving to keep the florets crisp
- 1 medium cauliflowercut into medium florets (about 650g)
- 1 litre rapeseed oilfor deep-frying
For the marinade
- 3 garlic clovesfinely grated
- 20g gingerfinely grated
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 green chillifinely chopped
- 1 tbsp Shaohsing cooking wine
- 2 spring onionsfinely chopped, plus extra to serve
- small handful of corianderfinely chopped, plus extra to serve
For the coating
- 5 heaped tbsp cornflour
- 4 heaped tbsp plain flour
For the gravy
- 3 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 6 garlic clovesfinely chopped
- 3 bird’s eye chilliessliced lengthways
- 2 red onionspeeled, halved, then quartered
- 1 green peppercut into 2cm squares
- 1 red peppercut into 2cm squares
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Nutrition: Per serving
- kcal403
- fat11glow
- saturates1g
- carbs62g
- sugars21g
- fibre9ghigh
- protein10g
- salt4.4g
Method
step 1
Cook the florets in a pan of boiling water for 2 mins. Drain well, then put on a baking tray in a single layer. Put the marinade ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, then add the florets. Stir to coat, cover and set aside to marinate for 30 mins.
step 2
Heat the oil in a karai or deep saucepan to 180C. Combine the coating ingredients with ½ tsp salt and some black pepper, then slowly add 140ml water to make a smooth batter. Remove the florets from the marinade using a slotted spoon, and toss in the mix until well coated. Carefully lower a few florets into the oil and fry for 3-4 mins until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with kitchen paper using a slotted spoon to drain. Repeat until all the florets have been fried.
step 3
For the gravy, heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat and stir-fry the garlic for 30 seconds, ensuring it doesn’t burn. Add the chillies and onions, and continue to stir-fry for 1 min. Add the peppers, turn the heat up to high and cook for 2 mins. Add the soy, ketchup and chilli sauce, stir and cook for 1 min more.
step 4
When ready to serve, reheat the gravy over a low heat, then toss in the fried florets to coat. Arrange on a serving dish, then garnish with the extra coriander and spring onion.







