Mulaku Baji

Mulaku Baji is an all time evening snack of the people of Kerala for years. You can still see people crowding around the street shops for tasting a mulaku baji while moving around. In short, Mulaku baji is a popular street snack loved by all in Kerala, India.

Ingredients
Bannana Pepper (Chilly)- 6 nos
Besan (Kadalamavu)-  2 cups
Chilly powder  - 1 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida    - 1/4 tsp
Soda powder - 1/4 tsp
Water
Salt
Coconut/Vegetable oil- For frying

Method

1. In a bowl, add besan, chilly powder, soda powder, salt, asafoetida and small amount of water
2. Mix well to get a not so thick or not so free flowing consistency.
3. Let the besan mix rest for half an hour or more.
4. After half an hour, you will find the mix rising up a bit
5. In a hot pan, add oil for deep frying
6. Put a slit in the chilly making it half, but not cutting it deeply to separate it into 2.
7. You may slightly apply a pinch of salt to the slit of the chilly or you may dip it in salt water so that the chilly picks up sufficient salt.
8Dip the chilly into the batter and deep fry
9. Fry till the batter turns light brown.
10. Serve hot with chutney or with tomato sauce.