Pataniscas sem ‘lhau’

Pataniscas is something you can find in most ‘snack bars’ in Portugal. It goes well with a beer or a glass of wine, preferably the really cheap one 🙂 This vegan version is so nice, with a sea hint from the nori weed, is hard not to have a few of them! It works well without the nori too, so don’t worry if you don’t have any. Enjoy!

Time: 15 min approx.

Type: starter/ snack

Difficulty: 1 pan

Serves: about 20 pataniscas, so 4 people (or 1 if you’re greedy :P)

What you need

Food:

1 cup chickpea flour

1 cup water (plus water to boil the leek)

1 leek, cut into thin circles

1 handful of chopped parsley

½ tsp pepper and black salt (or normal)

1 shredded nori sheet

½ tsp turmeric

Olive oil to fry

Utensils:

Frying pan

Bowl

One small pan (to boil the leek)

spoon

Knife

Chopping board

Blender

Kitchen towels (to soak the oil in excess)

Directions:

Chop the leek into thin circles (discard the green ends) and bring it to a boil with a little water (discard the water when finished);

Blend the nori sheet in high speed and add the water and chickpea flour- blend again for a few seconds until all is mixed;

Pour the mix into a bowl and add the leek, parsley, turmeric, salt and pepper;

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and once hot, pour spoonful of the mixture, one at a time (depending on how large your pan is, I manage to have 5 or 6 each time);

Cook for about 2 minutes on each side and once cooked, remove and place it on kitchen towels to absorb the oil in excess;

You can serve it hot or cold, it is delicious either way!