Diwali recipe: Cashew Pakodas!

We invited readers to share festive recipes with us -- here's a response!

Raju Jayaprabhu of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, UAE, e-mailed in this Cashew Pakoda preparation:

Ingredients:

• 100 gms rice powder
• 150 gms besan
• 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
• 1 tsp red chilly powder
• 5 green chillies
• A few shredded curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp jeera
• 1/4 tsp ajwain
• 1/2 a cup chopped cashew nuts
• 4-5 tsps ghee or oil
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep-frying

Method:

• Mix the rice powder, besan, salt, chilly powder, jeera, ajwain and coarse pepper.
• Add finely shredded curry leaves and sliced green chillies and mix once more.
• Combine soda and oil/ghee in a separate bowl to make a paste.
• Add paste to powder-leaves mix; use a little water to turn it all into a dough.
• Knead into round bite-size balls and deep-fry.
• Cool a little and serve.