Manchurian Balls in spicy tomato soup

The inspiration of this recipe is a recipe for vegetable Manchurian I saw in a Nita Mehta’s Vegetarian Chinese book.   I have been trying out several of her recipes recently.  I did not like the thin brownish sauce she served them in so I changed the sauce recipe and  served the Manchurian balls in a thick and spicy tomato soup.  Also I couldn’t help smiling when I noticed that she missed out the oil as an ingredient needed for frying these balls.

 

Ingredients for the Manchurian Balls:

  • 1 cup grated cauliflower
  • 1 cup grated green cabbage
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 3 slices of bread
  • 2 tbls coarse corn flour
  • 2 tbls self raising flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp dhana jiru (a mixture of cumin and coriander powders)
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced using a garlic press)
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 green chilies chopped very finely (can use less if you like)
  • 1 litre oil for deep frying.

Ingredients for the tomato soup

  • 2 cups of pasatta
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced using a garlic press)
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 green chilies chopped very finely (can use less if you like)
  • 1 tbs soya sauce
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp jaggery (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tbls corn flour
  • 1 tbls sunflower oil
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • small bunch of coriander for the soup and garnishing
  • chopped chilies for garnishing
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ turmeric

Method:

1.  Soak the bread in just enough water to cover it.

2.  Transfer the grated cauliflower, cabbage and carrots to a mixing bowl.  Add the salt, chili powder, dhana jiru, the ginger, garlic, green chilies, turmeric, the corn flour and the self raising flour.

3. Remove the water from the bread by squeezing it and add to the vegetable mix. Mix well.  The bread helps to bind the mixture.

4. Once mixed, divide the mixture into very small balls and deep fry them until crispy. (apologies for the over exposed photographs)

 

5. Now Prepare the soup. Heat some oil and cook the onions until they are soft. Add the green chilies, garlic and ginger.

6. Add all the spices such as the salt, turmeric, jaggery and the lemon juice.    Add the pasatta and 2 cups of water and allow the soup to simmer away.

7.  In a small cup, mix the corn flour with water until smooth and add to the soup.  Also add a handful of coriander.

8.  Once the soup comes to a boil, taste it and adjust taste.

9.  Add the fried Manchurian balls to the soup and allow the balls to soak for half an hour so before serving these on their own or with plain rice.

Do you change recipes to suit your taste?

You may wish to try some more of my soup recipes:

If  you have a hunger for Authentic Vegetarian Food then subscribe to my blog and receive delectable recipes and new Innovative foodie updates! Hungry for more Vegetarian Tips ? LIKE us on facebook,  Follow us on Twitter,  Pinterest and Instagram.  All the recipes are with step by step instructions and photographs and all of them have been tried, tested, easy to cook and delicious.

If you are interested in one to one or group cookery lessons, or any corporate team building events  – email me on givemesomespice@gmail.com for more information.  

 

Mina Joshi

I am a busy working mum who aims to make quick and healthy authentic vegetarian and vegan dishes for my family. I am also a face to face and online cookery teacher, recipe developer, restaurant and product reviewer. I share all recipes with step by step instructions.

Disqus Comments Loading...

Recent Posts

Protein-Packed Air Fried Mixed Dal Kachoris

There was a time when I was forever experimenting in the kitchen and making rushing my husband to taste them…

17 May 2026

Brain Foods for Exams: What to Eat During Exam Season

When people remember their college days, many still shudder at the thought of exams. These are stressful, anxiety-filled periods where…

12 May 2026

10 Healthiest Herbs and Spices for College Students to Boost Appetite

For many young people, leaving home for university is the first real taste of independence. After months of revision, exams,…

11 May 2026

Healthy Muthiya Recipe: Easy Leftover Cooking for One

Cooking for one hasn’t always been easy for me.   After losing my husband, the joy of cooking slowly faded. Meals…

7 May 2026

Diabetes-Friendly Protein Smoothie

For a while, I stepped away from blogging. Losing my husband changed everything, and with that loss, I lost my…

1 May 2026

How Is Everyone’s Veganuary Going?

Everyone must be asking you by now about your veganuary journey. So how is it going? By now, some of…

19 January 2026