Onion & Butternut Squash Bhajis

Happy Christmas and almost New Year everyone!

Can you believe its whizzed by so fast? I’m sure I’ve ballooned to at least twice my usual size. Tonight we have my Dad, Step-mum, Nanna and various siblings joining us for a buffet and we will toast the end of Christmas celebrations in our family. Over the last week we’ve had two Christmas days (one per set of parents), roast dinner with the in-laws, a night out with the in-laws and two big nights out with friends. So you can see why after today, I’ll be sticking to water and lettuce (well, apart from the small matter of a 4 course Italian meal and plenty of wine on New Year’s Eve!).

Anyway, whilst I’m still feeling jovial and full of festive spirit, I wanted to share this recipe with you. I made these last week and they were a huge success. Onion and Butternut Squash Bhajis. Perfect buffet food and surprisingly easy to pull together. This recipe is adapted from one in an old copy of Good Food magazine – you can find the original here where it forms part of a bigger meal.

Amounts make approx 20 bhajis

• 3 tbsp curry paste (I used garam masala)
• 200g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 2 medium onions, finely sliced
• 250g butternut squash, peeled and coarsely grated.
• Vegetable oil for frying

•  Mix the curry paste and 250ml cold water and leave aside. Then mix the flour, baking powder and turmeric in a large bowl and add the water mix. Stir into a thick batter.
• Add the grated squash and sliced onions and gently mix it all together.
• Heat about 5cm of oil in a big wok or deep pan (it’s more than you think!). Add a drop of the batter – when it rises to the surface, bubbling and browning, then the oil is hot enough.
• Add heaped tbsps of the bhaji mixture to the oil, (I did four at a time) and cook for around 5-6 mins, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy. 
• Lift out onto kitchen paper, and gently dab with another piece on top to help soak up the grease. Then sprinkle with a little salt and keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.
• Serve simply with a raita or mango chutney. These onion and butternut squash bhajis make a great (but naughty) snack for movie night!