Chennai’s Most Treasured: Bajjis

Onion Bajii, Vazzhka Bajji, Cauliflower Bajji, Fish Bajji, Molagga Bajji, Capsicum Bajji, Potato Bajji, if you just read that in the fast voice you should totally read this article. Bajjis by the beach side on a cold day? If that’s not treasure, I don’t know what else is. These magical things have beautiful golden brown crispy texture of the fried Bajji batter coats the real matter that’s on the inside.  There’s something about these fried crisps that just attracts almost all of Chennai to it. Strike that almost out. Everyone loves Bajjis. So what goes into them and why so much love, you ask? Food, that’s why but the other reasons are as follows. 

 

The Types

Let’s start with the following types the bajjis Onion Bajii, Cauliflower Bajji, Fish Bajji, Molagga Bajji <3 , Capsicum Bajji, Potato Bajji, Bread bajji, Egg Bajji. You can make a a bajji out of any vegetable. This is the trick to get children to eat all and any vegetable. The types are many and each tastes unique. 

 

Specialty

Although, all the bajjis are great, Molaga Bajji and Fish Bajjis have their own unique sense of bajji-ness. These two varieties are a must-try kind of bajjis. Molaga Bajjis are made by stuffing bajji molagas. Confused? The chillis are stuffed with a spicy potato mash filling and onions sprinkled over the top. This then goes into the tangy dip. And once its in, you will just be fighting to get a bite of another. 

 

When to eat?

Bajjis can be eaten as a snack at any time of the day. They are also a major part of the festive meals in some of the cultures. Bajjis are great in the beaches as the Chutney they prepare is quite spicy and adds so much flavor to the crispy bajji. 

 

So what are they made of?

Corn flour, maida and gram flour are mixed thoroughly along with ginger garlic paste, turmeric, salt and chilli powder for the bajji batter. The vegetables are dipped in the batter and fried. The batter is the first thing you need to get right. Then comes the dip. The dip is everything, it is made out of tamarind, chilies, onions which form the major flavors of the dip. The tangy-spicy dip is goes well with the crispy bajji. 

Best places to eat: The Beach. Dot.