Carrot and coriander is a classic culinary combination, but beyond the realm of soup it is, inexplicably, infrequently visited. The sweetness of a crisp, crunchy carrot, alongside that of ground coriander works almost too well, particularly when a handful of fresh coriander sees fit to join the proceedings. However, these are flavours that can be easily misplaced in the combative milieu of a complex dish; ground coriander simply doesn’t possess the pungency of ground cumin. For this reason, fritters seemed to be the best vehicle for the carrot and coriander flavour, given its delicacy. Besides, since my Virtual Vegan Potluck (VVP) post, for which I was awarded the prize for best soup, rather a lot of you have been clamouring for more frugal vegan recipes.
If ever you’re searching for a natural ingredient with which to bind vegetable based fritters, bhajis or koftas, you need look no further than gram flour. It is made from dried, ground chickpeas and forms a truly delicious wheat and gluten free binding agent. As a result, gram flour suits my style of cooking rather well because it is a very simple, natural and wholesome solution to what can sometimes prove a tricky problem.
The thing that really impressed me about these fritters was just how straightforward they were to make; from start to finish they took perhaps 30 minutes to make and that’s including the preparation Jamie Oliver excludes from his ’30 minute meals’… perhaps I ought to launch my own version. Of course, it’s best for a small fish like me not to be too rude to a big ol’ bass like Mr. Oliver, after all he does cook some cracking food. Let’s just say that it’s best not to get me onto the subject of his ’15 minute meals’, my head (and watch) just might explode.
Carrot and Coriander Fritters
Makes 5-6
Ingredients:
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and grated
• ½ red onion, diced
• 3-4 tbsp gram flour
• 2 tsp coriander seed, freshly ground
• A handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 3-4 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for frying
• A generous pinch of salt
• A twist of black pepper
Method:
1. Mix together all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl – use your culinary intuition to decide what ration of flour and oil to use. The ingredients should stick together very well, but one should use as little flour as possible.
2. Heat a little oil in a pan over a medium flame. Form the carrot and flour mixture into five or six fritters and cook slowly, two at a time. Each batch should take 6-8 minutes to cook; they should be golden brown and cooked through. Serve with yoghurt, alone or with pita bread.
Cost: Vegan food is almost always cost effective – it is simply a fact of life that vegetables cost vastly less than meat. As such, these fritters will set one back a rather frugal 60p! Not bad for a filling, healthy meal, ideal as part of a balanced diet.
139 replies on “Carrot and Coriander Fritters”
This looks delicious. I love the carrot and coriander combination. I have TOO MANY carrots right now… maybe I’ll make this for lunch.
Thanks! Perhaps you should – one should never been inundated with carrots.
a very nice-looking recipe Nick! And congratulations on taking the soup prize!
Thanks! I was pretty chuffed 😀
These look delicious. And I’ve also noted Mr Oliver isn’t really doing ’30-min’ meals … Frugal aside, Nigel Slater’s 30-min meals are the real thing.
The only problem with Nigel is that I find him intensely irritating (sorry, Nigel)
I know what you mean. More so as he’s got older. But I do like the way he puts together a lovely, slightly different meals from just a few things and none of it is about following a recipe but just going with the flow of what’s around.
Yeh, his food is often lovely… but I can’t stand to watch him. He’s probably a nice chap in person.
Oooo…thanks! I’ve been holding on to a recipe for Thai carrot veggie burgers for months, trying to muster up the motivation to tackle the long list of ingredients and steps. This fritter seems to have the same flavour with much less work. 15 minute (+ 15 minute) meals – I love it!
:D. This really isn’t much work at all – very simple indeed.
Oh yum! Must try these.
You must! They were great!
I figure I should get a prize for voting for both you, and Somer ;). I think the prize is these fritters! I love the combination of coriander and carrot and as a long term vego (vegetarian for 22 years and vegan for 15 of those) I never once thought to combine the flavours in anything other than soup. I think you would give Jamie a run for his money…I know that every single recipe you have posted since I started following this blog has been scrumptious, frugal and packed to bursting with flavour. I, personally, would buy “The Frugal Feeding” cookbook and I dare say so would all of your other loyal (gluttonous 😉 ) followers. Try it… might lead to a new career path…if good old pugly Gordon Ramsey can abuse his way to the top…why not a frugal maestro from Bristol?
Wait… that’s not how it works… Thanks :D. Perhaps I’ll shoot some e-mails off to publishers. I would love to do it… Jamie has no chance 😉
Yummy! Great photos, Nick! Looks like that new camera and reflector are doing right by your food 🙂
Oh they are, Daisy – they are.
That looks delicious!
Thanks 🙂
Very nice Nick. Beautiful colours.
Best,
Conor
Cheers, Conor 😀
Yum, these look delish, Nick!
My family hates coriander, which is tragedy for me .. but this is something I can make for myself and would be great to pack into a work lunchbox,
Crisis over! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe … and your photos are beautiful. They showcase these fritters so well. Well done!
Thanks :). That really is a shame… coriander is the best.
I love that you are being badgered to produce more plant-based recipes – and that you are meeting the challenge!
Haha – of course :D. More to come too.
Reblogged this on Smiley's Healthy Way of Life and commented:
This look so yummy
Absolutely, stunningly gorgeous! These will be on my table soon. One quick question – did you grind the coriander seed? Thanks, Mar
Thanks so much – thanks for pointing that out, I did and the recipe has been updated.
You’re welcome – I find that sometimes, no matter how much proofreading I do, I still read what is supposed to be there instead of what I actually wrote. So hopefully, my readers will let me know what that happens!
Haha – indeed. Once I get to the recipe I turn off a little.
What a great combo and it will use up my corriander in the garden which is rapidly going to seed!! Thanks 🙂
Thanks! Oh yes, use it up! I can’t get enough of coriander 🙂
These look delicious! And I usually have trouble getting excited about carrots, but fresh coriander on the other hand…
Also I would totally watch a 30-minute-meal showdown between you and Jamie Oliver (where both contestants literally only have 30 minutes). I think you could win 🙂
Thanks, Allison! Carrots are great if you know what to do with them. Haha – that would be fun!
looks so delicious! i love fritters of any kind, but especially savoury ones!
They are so nice, aren’t they?!
Hmmm.. this looks so good and nice to do! I think I’ll try it out this week end!
Thanks for sharing!
XOXO,
P&F
http://www.preppyandfunny.wordpress.com
Thanks! Please do!
These look so yummy. I can’t wait to try them out.Thanks.
Thanks! Please do, they were yummy.
I really like corn fritters, but I have never thought to make carrot fritters. Thanks for sharing.
No problem! They were really delicious.
Frugal, Not only do your fritters sound delicious…they are beautiful.
Thanks, Karen!
Yummmmm….I’m trying this. They look gorgeous!
Fantastic – I hope you like them!
The fritters look sooooo delicious! I love coriander!! I have bookmarked this recipe to try soon – maybe this weekend. I’m not familiar with the term gram flour, but it sounds like what we might call chickpea flour and I have that in my fridge!
Thanks! I think you’ll love it :). Chickpea flour or besan flour are the same thing.
Awesome, thank you!
No problem 🙂
Beautiful photos! Looks delicious.
Thanks so much!
Wow, these look delicious! Totally agree with you on Jamie’s 30 minute meals…
Thanks! I’m glad someone agrees 😀
These look great. Would never think of making fritters with carrot, always use courgette but definitely will give it a go now.
Thanks! They work beautifully, better than courgette I think.
Nick, your carrot and coriander fritters not only look comfy and delicious; but exquisite too! The addition of chili flakes must give it a flavor edge. Yes, maybe you should launch your own version of an at ease recipe : )
Thanks so much 😀 – I’d love to do that if someone paid me 😀
Beautiful and I’ll bet they’re delicious! I actually like JO’s 15 minute meals better than his 30 minute ones – the latter just made me anxious! 🙂
Haha – I find them perplexing. One of his recipes calls for pre-cooked brown rice… it’s silly.
Mmm … yum! Brilliant! I sometimes make bhajis using gram flour and these fritters sound yumtacular! And I’d agree with you – fresh corriander gives a much stronger taste than ground corrinader. Although it has it’s place in curry mixes, even corriander seeds carry more flavour. Going to try these
Yes, I intend to post a bhaji recipe soon. You’ll love them 🙂
Yum, They look amazing! pinning these for sure.
Thanks so much – they were delicious.
A seriously good recipe! A lot like the Indian ‘besan chillah’ which of course has a bit more spices and stuff. I love fritters and I’ll remember your combinations next time.
Thanks! I’ll have to look that up. Please do!
Great recipe! I love the carrot and cumin combo, but have not made fritters with gram flour before (they are also sold as besan in Indian grocers?). Gram flour will add a lovely nutty aroma.
Thanks for ‘liking’ my blog. I’m just starting out and it’s nice to have visitors!
Yes, besan is the same thing. Thanks so much! I’m sure you’re blog will gain more and more as you go along.
Love the colours from the bowl before mixing it all together:) they look yummy!
Thanks – colourful food is usually the best 🙂
Agreed!
What gorgeous fritters! A perfect combo of flavors and a fantastic way to enjoy carrots. I love your plating. 🙂
Thanks so much – they really were delicious.
Your photos look alive! And the fritters sound delicious. I will have to try a version of them using gluten-free flour.
Thanks 🙂 – gram flour IS gluten free…
Oh my goodness. I appreciate you waking me up. In my silly little head I was reading “grahm flour ” in your ingredients, not “gram flour.” I’m going to have to get used to others actually using GF ingredients as well. And fun for me, I wont have to tweak your recipe at all. Happy Day.
Haha – happy day indeed 😀
Hey, thanks so much for stopping by my site. Recipes on here look wonderful! Have you come across The Little Pink Kitchen blog http://www.littlepinkkitchen.wordpress.com – it’s my favourite food blog. Keep up the great work
No problem! Thanks, I shall check it out.
These look amazing! They remind me of some of the fritters we were served on the trains in India. YUM!
Thanks! So much – that’s very interesting 🙂
this is just awesomeee!! loved it
Thanks! It was yummy 🙂
I Bet! I tried it myself and OhhHHH boy! loved it 🙂 keep posting!
Fabulous! I love savory pancakes as well!
They are so deeeelish 😀
With a semantic twist, you’ve got a Hanukkah dish on your hands: carrot latkes. I suspect I’d like these better than potato!
Indeed! Perhaps so – I do love potato though!
Oh, yes, please! Do you think it would work to substitute a bit of beet for some of the carrot?
Of course, experiment away!
These look so pretty, and utterly delish. What an inspired idea, beats boring soup!
Thanks so much – they were great!
can’t wait to try these!!!!
They were so delicious, Michelle!
The trick about cooking and baking vegan is always finding the right substitutions. I know I love almond flour for baking, but that wouldn’t do it for a lot of recipes. I’ve read about chickpea flour elsewhere and think it’s time to pick some up. Not that I’m vegan, but I am trying to eat less wheat. These would be a great first recipe to try, they turned out so colorful and crispy looking! Excellent!
Exactly – I adore almond flour! Definitely get some of that, Barb’.
Look forward to trying these…..wonderful combination! I do a lot of Ayurvedic cooking where coriander is used, but it is rare to see many recipes in westerner cuisine using it as a primary spice, except, as you mentioned, in soups, although cilantro (fresh coriander) is quite popular. I have a beet patty recipe I’ll be posting on my blog soon that is along the same concept as these. Enjoy you blog very much!
Awesome – thanks! I look forward to the beet patty – though I hate beets 😀
These look amazing – the colors are so vibrant, you just know you are doing something healthful for your body! Congratulations on your soup prize!
Thanks! Exactly, carrot have such a cracking look!
That looks delicious! I will definitely try it 🙂
Please do – you’ll love them!
I made this recipe in the weekend and you are right! I do love them 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic – so glad you liked it!
Pure inspiration my friend! I can’t wait to try these. I think there’s a vegan hiding somewhere inside you….
Thanks, Somer 😀 – there is not! Haha.
Wow! These look incredible! I love the bright colors. I will certainly make these soon.
Thanks so much – they certainly went down a treat!
[…] idea of the cost of each recipe, and one of my favourites from the past week was a recipe for these carrot and coriander fritters. Quick, simple and very […]
Thanks for Friday night’s dinner recipe!
No problem 😀
These look great! I’ve got 6 pounds of carrots in the fridge, so may just make these tonight!
Haha – that’s a lot of carrot!
That looks so good! Can’t wait to get some carrots into my frying pan!
Thanks! they were really, really tasty!
Great food photos….a skill I need to work on!
Thanks! You’ll get there – I’m still learning!
Yums! These look delish – gonna try these with dinner tonight! Thanks for the awesome blog!
Thanks!Enjoy 😀
These look fantastic! I will certainly try this recipe as I’ve been wanting to make veggie fritters, or what could even be veggie patties… I also wanted to say that I’ve always known chickpea flour as Chana Flour, so that might be another name that people will come across. Thanks 🙂
Please do! Ahha – yes, there are lots of names for it!
I hope the new technological updates will allow me to see a day when I can simply reach into my computer screen and taste one of these delicious-looking morsels. These look soooo good!
Haha – I’m not sure whether that technology will ever become a reality 😀
Oh my, I definitely have to try these!
Please do, they were utterly delicious!
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Loving the look of these gorgeous carrot and coriander fritters. Both are on the favourite ingredients list for this household and I think I could be slightly in love with a crispy combo of both 😀
Thanks! They are delicious and went down a storm!
[…] If you’re at all interested in reading my other recipes that make use of the carrot and coriander combination, click for my carrot and coriander soup and my carrot and coriander fritters! […]
Excellent photos, and I can’t wait to try the recipe. Looking at your photos makes me realize that I need to buy more plates, place mats, etc so I can properly stage my shots. Nicely done!
Thanks! Do, I still don’t have enough!
[…] Carrot and Coriander Fritters […]
[…] Carrot and Coriander Fritters from Frugal Feeding […]
Yum!! I am soooo gonna try these! They look awesome!
Ashild
xoxo
I love carrots. Can’t wait to try these
Wow…this looks totally YUM
Look lovely! Thanks for dropping by my blog.
[…] and delicious entry in a type of food that has become notorious for its fat content (though my carrot and coriander fritters are another notable exception). The stigma attached to fritters come to the fore with the arrival […]
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