Vegetable Manchurian Ingredients (Serves 4) For the Manchurian Sauce 1/2 tbsp dark soya sauce (I use Ching’s brand) 2 tbsp chilli- tomato sauce (I use Maggi Hot & sweet) 1/2 tsp honey 1.5 tsp cornstarch +4 tbsp water 3 tbsp pure untoasted sesame oil 2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped 1 small green chili (use any mild/hot variety) 3 garlic pods, chopped 1/4 cup chopped scallions, white parts 1/4 cup chopped red onion 1 tsp coriander powder 1/4 tsp black pepper powder 1 tsp red chilli powder (or cayenne, adjust to tolerance) 3/4 cup to 1 cup vegetable/chicken stock (depending on consistency of sauce, stock recommended, if not, use water) 1.5 tbsp white vinegar (or to taste) For Garnish – chopped scallions(green parts), ginger, chopped green chillies For the Deep fried Vegetable Balls 1 cup finely chopped cabbage 1/2 cup very finely chopped cauliflower 1/2 cup grated carrot 2 tbsp finely chopped scallions(spring onions) 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper 1/4 cup finely chopped green beans 1 small green chilli, minced 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced scant 1/2 tsp Salt 4 tbsp all purpose flour 2 tbsp cornstarch Oil for deep frying Method Making the Manchurian Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together soya sauce, tomato-chilli sauce & honey. Set aside. In another bowl, mix cornstarch & water and let stand. In a wok/pan , heat up the oil to smoking hot. Add chopped garlic, green chillies & ginger and cook for 1 minute or till you smell the aroma. Next add the chopped scallions (white part) & red onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or till light brown in color. Add the coriander & black pepper powder next, stir for 10 seconds and then add the soya sauce mix made earlier.Stir for a minute or so and then add the stock. Simmer for 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat or till you see bubbles on the sides.Add the cornstarch mix to the wok. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer for another 2-4 minutes till the sauce starts to thicken. Next, taste & adjust the salt in the sauce. Add the vinegar to the wok and stir everything well.Remove from heat and add the fried vegetable balls to the pan. Dont stir too much with spoon at this point. Garnish with chopped green scallions & serve immediately. Making the Vegetable Balls In a large bowl, mix together all the chopped vegetables. Add salt, mix(do not squeeze) and let sit for (not more than) 10 minutes. Add the all-purpose flour and corn starch next and gently mix together. If you feel that the mixture is on a dry side add a tablespoon or so of water (ideally you will not be needing it since the vegetables leave water from sitting in salt). Heat up 2-3 inches of oil in a frying pan on medium high. Shape into small lime size balls and add to the frying pan, Make sure that the oil is not too hot(else the balls will remain raw from inside) or too low (else they will scatter in oil). Fry, turning on all sides to golden dark brown Drain the fried vegetable balls on a paper towel before adding to sauce (recipe above). Serve immediately with noodles or fried rice. Notes :- Use any vegetables that you like (just do not use potato)coz trust me after frying they will anyhow taste good. You might be tempted (like me) to use food processor to chop the vegetables but trust me it makes them watery. I recommend chopping them old school -with knife that is. Substitute dark soya sauce with tamari (for vegan) Adding tomato – chilli sauce adds extra heat. I get this sauce from indian stores. You can use just plain tomato ketchup or add mix of sriracha & tomato ketchup for a sweet, spicy tangy flavor to the sauce. The sauce can be made 2-3 hours in advance. Just fry up the vegetable balls and serve when you want to. If you forsee leftovers, store the sauce and vegetable balls separately. Toss them together just when you want to serve.