In our family chilli bites are better known as curry balls.

I try to make them as often as I can, but of late I never seem to be able to get my hands on the ready mix packs. I have never made curry balls from scratch.

I always use the Packo box mix, but alas what am I supposed to do when they do not stock my requirements and the family are demanding curry balls?

I remember seeing my grans recipe for her curry balls and I thought why not try it out, seeing as I did have all the ingredients.

Normally I use chopped spinach in my curry ball mixture, but of late every aunty I talk to keep telling me they use lettuce and my gran’s recipe also said that she used lettuce, so out to the market I went to buy a whole head of lettuce… I used a couple of leaves and well the rest is in the fridge for a salad or rabbit food.

I will tell you after making curry balls from scratch I doubt I will ever buy the box mix again. These came out so soft and fluffy and I never got heart burn at all.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ x cups Channa flour
• ½ x cup self raising flour
• 1 x tsp baking powder
• 1 x tsp coriander powder
• 1 x tsp cumin powder
• ¼ x tsp turmeric powder
• 1 x tsp salt
• 1x tsp red chilli flakes
• 1 x large potato, coarsely grated
• 1 x large onion, coarsely grated
• 2 x handfuls finely chopped lettuce.
• Roughly 1 x cup water…you might require more or less.

Method:

• In a bowl, sift together the channa flour, self raising flour, baking powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt.
• Stir in the chilli flakes, potatoe, onion and lettuce.
• Add the water a little at a time, until you have a nice thick paste.
• Spoonful of the mixtures into hot oil and deep fry until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.