Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/3  cups          besan or gram flou -- [lentil flour)
   1      tablespoon    freshly squeezed lemon juice
   2      teaspoons     ground coriander
   2      teaspoons     margarine or oil -- melted
   1 1/2  teaspoons     salt
   1      teaspoon      garam masala -- (recipe to follow)
     1/2  teaspoon      baking powder
     1/2  teaspoon      ground tumeric
     1/2  teaspoon      cayenne pepper
                        water
                        choice of vegetable -- (to follow below)
                        vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:

1 In a large bowl combine the first 9 ingredients with enough water to form a thick batter. 2 Prepare the vegetable as directed below, and dip into batter, allowing excess to drip off. 3 In a large saucepan or a deep skillet, heat 2 inches oil over high heat until very hot. Add batter-coated vegetables, a few pieces at a time; fry until golden brown (cooking time varies from 3 to 10 minutes). If oil begins to spatter or smoke, reduce heat to medium. 4 Drain vegetables on paper towels. Serve hot. Eggplant: Cut 1 medium unpeeled eggplant into wedges. Add 2 tablespoons khus-khus (white poppy seeds) to batter, if desired. Dip eggplant in batter and fry 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Potatoes: Cut 3 large potatoes into thick slices. Dip into batter and fry 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Green Peppers: Cut 2 seeded green bell peppers into wedges. Dip into batter, and fry 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender. Mushrooms: Dip 1/2 pound of whole mushrooms into batter. Fry 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender. Onions: Cut 2 large peeled onions into thin slices; sprinkle with salt and allow to drain. Instead of usind batter, coat onion slices with besan mixed with 4 chopped scallions, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and 1 minced green chile (optional). (You may coat several slices at a time to form a fritter or pancake.) Fry 3 to 5 minutes until tender.