Mushroom 65 – South Indian Style

Step 1: Prepare Mushrooms for Marination

Take 400 gms of sliced mushrooms in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add Dry Spices

Add 1/4 tbsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp red chilli powder, 1 tbsp coriander powder, 1/2 tbsp cumin powder, 1/2 tbsp garam masala powder, 1 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, and 1/2 tbsp black pepper powder to the mushrooms.

Step 3: Add Flours and Salt

Add 2 tbsp maida (all-purpose flour), 2 tbsp corn flour, 2 tbsp besan (gram flour), 2 tbsp rice flour, and 1/2 tbsp salt to the bowl.

Step 4: Mix and Marinate

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with the mushrooms until they are well coated. Gradually add water as required and mix again to form a thick batter coating on the mushrooms. Ensure all mushrooms are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and let the marinated mushrooms rest for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Deep Fry Mushrooms

Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated mushrooms one by one into the hot oil. Fry them on high flame for 5-7 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried mushrooms from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 6: Prepare Sauce Base

In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp of oil. Add 2 tbsp chopped garlic, 4-5 sliced green chilies, and 2 tbsp chopped curry leaves. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the garlic turns light golden.

Step 7: Add Sauces and Spices to Pan

Add 2 tbsp tomato ketchup, 2 tbsp red chilli sauce, 1/2 tbsp black pepper powder, and a pinch of red food colour (as required for vibrant color). Add 1 tbsp water and mix well, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 8: Combine with Fried Mushrooms

Add the previously fried mushrooms to the pan with the prepared sauce. Toss the mushrooms well to ensure they are evenly coated with the spicy sauce.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Squeeze half a lemon over the mushrooms and mix again. Serve the Mushroom 65 hot as an appetizer or snack.

• Fry mushrooms in batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even crispiness.

• Adjust the amount of green chilies and red chili powder according to your spice preference.

• Ensure mushrooms are well coated with the batter before frying for best results.

• Add chopped onions or bell peppers to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.

• For a vegan version, ensure all sauces used are vegan-friendly.