Frit-ter
-verb (used with object)
1. To squander away piecemeal; waste little by little

-noun (consumed with passion and a side of dipping sauce)
2. The perfect way to take something good, and make it even better
For example:

Pakoras
Fry Balls
Crisps
Falafel
Hush Puppies
Croquettes
Bhajis

These Green Chili and Corn Fritters are what would happen if an Indian Onion Bhaji eloped to Thailand with a Southern Corn Cake Belle and spawned a spicy, sweet, and savory fritter lovechild.
 
I know 50 minutes seems like a long time to spend on these, but if you get two batches frying up at once you can cut time down the cooking time quite a bit.  However, if you’re not that dexterous, I’m sure there are worse ways to fritter away an evening.

Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 4 -5

Green Chili and Corn Fritters

1 medium onion, cut into thin rings
4 green onions, sliced
3 green chilies, minced
1 box frozen sweet corn kernels
1 1/3 cup chickpea flour
1/2 inch ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
peanut oil

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This bean dip is named for my 3 hot sisters. They’re all you really need to get a cocktail party started. If you don’t have hot sisters of your own, borrow a friend’s or just make this spicy bean dip. Its truly easy — almost fun — to make. Full of hot summer flavor, easy to eat, and suspiciously vegan, it will make any party a hit with or without sisters.

Serves: 20 guests with other appetizers
Time: 15 minutes plus 30 minutes baking time

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This is a crunchy, healthy, zingy recipe with a lot of chopping and a little cooking. Enlist help if possible and it will be ready in no time.
This is a really fun (uh, really messy) dish to eat – each person assembles their own wrap and tries their best not to drop the contents all over the place. I’m great at assembling, less good about ruining my shirt with the dipping sauce. It’s worth it anyway.

Serves: 4
Time: 50 minutes

Wraps

canola or peanut oil
16 oz tofu, cut into ¼ inch strips
1 head lettuce (bib, red curly leaf, or a wide-leafed romaine)
½ small head of red cabbage, chopped
4 carrots, grated (I used a cheese grater)
1 bunch basil
1 bunch mint

Sauce

canola, peanut or sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbl fresh ginger, minced
1 jalapeno, minced (deseed if you’d like less hot)*
1/3 cup peanuts, chopped
1/3 6 oz can tomato paste (about 3 Tbl)**
3 Tbl creamy peanut butter
3 Tbl soy sauce
1 Tbl rice vinegar
juice of 1 lime
2 Tbl honey

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