Maggi Manchurian balls: a crispy Instagram recipe made with boiled noodles and kitchen staples

The mention of Maggi is enough to make mouths water. The noodles that cook in two minutes are no longer just a two-minute affair, as people keep experimenting with them. Some make Maggi ice cream, while others fry Maggi samosas to sell. The latest experiment trending on Instagram these days is Maggi Manchurian.

Manchurian is usually made with potato or cabbage, but Maggi is now being used instead. It looks crunchy and mouth-watering. The recipe was shared on the page mummy_ka_foodie and has been widely liked. Some ask why such experiments are done with Maggi, but there is no harm in trying it once. Do try it this weekend.

No special ingredients are needed; whatever is at home will do. You will need two cups of boiled Maggi, without the masala, and two cups of finely chopped vegetables: capsicum, carrot, onion and cabbage. You will also need two spoons of cornflour, one spoon of ginger-garlic-chilli paste, one packet of Maggi masala, some salt and some black pepper powder. Oil is needed for frying. For the gravy, take tomato sauce, chilli sauce, Schezwan sauce, soy sauce and one spoon of vinegar.

First, boil the Maggi. Remember not to add the masala. Just boil the noodles, drain the water and let them cool. Then put the boiled Maggi in a large vessel and add all the chopped vegetables. Add the cornflour, ginger-garlic paste, Maggi masala, salt and black pepper powder. Mix everything well by hand. Now shape the mixture into small balls, about the size of a lemon. These are the Manchurian balls.

Heat oil in a pan on the gas. When the oil is well heated, add the balls and fry until golden. Do not crowd the pan. Fry only four or five balls at a time, so that they turn crisp. Take out the fried balls and keep them on a plate.

Now for the gravy. Take a little oil in another pan and add square-cut onion and capsicum. Do not cook them too much; let them stay slightly crunchy. Then add the ginger-garlic paste and saute. Next, add the sauces: one spoon of tomato sauce, one spoon of chilli sauce, one spoon of Schezwan sauce and a little soy sauce. Add a little water as well. In a bowl, dissolve cornflour in water to make a paste and add it to the gravy to thicken it. Finally, add a little vinegar.

When the gravy comes to a boil, add the fried Maggi balls and gently toss for one minute. Do not keep them in for long, or the balls will turn soft. Top with a little coriander or spring onion greens and serve hot.

Your crunchy and tangy Maggi Manchurian is ready. Children will like it a lot. It is an excellent option for an evening snack or as a party starter.