Thai Deep Fried Vegetable No Name: โนเนมผัก
These delightful vegetable fritters, known as "No Name Vegetables," are a creative way to use up leftover veggies. They are reminiscent of bubble-and-squeak or pakora and make for great snacks or starters. Originating from times of necessity, this dish was created from whatever scraps were available, which is why it was never given a formal name. Despite their humble beginnings, these fritters are tasty and versatile.
At Parawan’s Thai Home Cooking Class, we encourage you to experiment with various ingredients. Feel free to use any leftover vegetables you have on hand, and you can even add minced meat like pork or chicken, or make a more sophisticated version with prawns. These fritters are typically served with fresh tomatoes and lettuce, accompanied by sweet chili sauce often found with spring rolls in restaurants.
Ingredients:
- Any vegetables of your choice (chopped)
- Curry paste (red curry or Panang curry paste)
- 1 egg (omit for a vegan version)
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 4 tbsp tempura flour
- Cold water (only if mixture is too dry)
- Sugar (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Cooking oil (for frying)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Gather and chop all the vegetables into similar sizes as shown in your reference photos.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the chopped vegetables, egg (if using), curry paste, salt, and sugar. If you’re making a vegan version, simply omit the egg. Then, add the rice flour and tempura flour to the mixture.
- Adjust Consistency: If the mixture appears too dry, add a little cold water and mix well until you achieve the desired batter consistency.
- Heat the Oil: In a pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat until hot.
- Fry the Fritters: If the batter seems too wet, add more flour to thicken it. Using a spoon, scoop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil. You can use another spoon or a fork to help shape them.
- Cook Until Golden: Fry the fritters until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Serve: Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve your No Name Vegetables with sweet chili sauce and garnish as desired.
Enjoy these versatile fritters that make for a perfect snack or appetizer!