This recipe originally appeared on The Nosher.
It’s not every day you’re actually encouraged to indulge in a deep-fried afternoon snack, so I feel obliged not to pass up that opportunity when Chanukah comes along.
I’m all about celebrating for the sake of it, whatever the occasion may be. Halloween: costumes and pumpkin soup it is. Taco Tuesday: Do I even have to say it? Chanukah: Host as many family members and friends in my apartment as possible to light the menorah and cathartically pander to the tradition of deep-fried doughnuts and potatoes.
This year, I thought I’d change it up a little — after all, no one ever said doughnuts and latkes were the mandatory way to fulfill our oil quota, right? These Indian fritters, called bhajis, are hot, crispy and still send that endorphin-inducing smell of oil around the house, but the zesty accompanying yogurt dip cuts the calorific guilt a little with its cool freshness.