Vegetable Manchurian- One of the most satisfying Asian inspired dishes in India is this very flavorful vegetable balls served with a spicy, salty garlic sauce. Traditionally these are deep fried, but I decided to try a healthy alternative and put these straight into the air fryer for the same crispy deliciousness. Once added to the sauce, it turned out delicious, light and full of flavor! To round the meal out I served this with simple vegetable fried rice. Truly a fun and tasty way to add a lot of vegetables to ones diet.

For the manchurian balls 

1/2 cup cabbage 

1/2 cup cauliflower florets 

1 carrot 

2 Scallions/green onions 

One clove garlic 

1 table spoon soya sauce 

White pepper powder for taste 

2 table spoons corn starch 

3 tablespoons plain flour 

1 table spoon oil to brush-the air fryer and the balls 

In my food processor I pulse the vegetables until fairly fine, add all the seasonings, flour, cornstarch and mix well. Form them into the balls, arrange them in the air fryer, brush them with oil and cook them on 370 for 15 to 18 mins or until golden brown periodically checking on them. 

Tip – As you add the salt and seasonings to the vegetables they tend to release moisture so only add the seasonings when you are ready to form the balls and cook them right away.

For the sauce 

3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic

1 inch chopped ginger 

1 green chilli chopped ( or more if you like )

4 tablespoons of soya sauce 

1 table spoon chili garlic sauce 

1 cup of vegetable or chicken stock ( your preference)

Few pinches of white pepper powder 

2 green onions finely chopped 

2 table spoon oil 

1 1/2 table spoon cornstarch 

1 tablespoon water 

In  a wok or pan heat the oil, and once hot add ginger green chilies.  After couple seconds add garlic (the idea is to cook the garlic but not let it brown). In a few seconds of adding the garlic add the all the sauces and the stock season with pepper powder, letting this simmer for a minute or so allowing all the ingredients to flavor the sauce. Now add the manchurian balls and while that is simmering take a small bowl and make a slurry of 1 1/2 table spoon of cornstarch and water and add this to the simmering gravy and let the sauce thicken to your desired look of the dish. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!