Take curry night to the next level with homemade Indian snacks

An Indian takeaway order can be an expensive treat, particularly if you enjoy a starter selection with your curry. But making it yourself can be surprisingly cheap and easy.

With some basic ingredients and leftover veg, you can knock up some delicious onion bhajees, vegetable pakoras and samosas for a fraction of the price.

You can even make extra and freeze them, so you have some quick snacks or sides ready for another day.

Homemade onion bhajees

Slice two onions and throw into a bowl with 150g of self-raising flour and a few teaspoons of curry powder.

Add a little oil, mix it all together and slowly add water until you get a thick, sticky mixture coating the onions.

Next, heat a little oil in a frying pan, spoon small piles of the mixture into the pan and flatten slightly.

Cook for a few minutes on each side until golden and cooked through, and there you are – tasty, homemade onion bhajees.

And if you want to make a lighter option, just spoon the mixture onto a baking tray instead and cook them in the oven or air fryer for about 15 minutes.

Vegetable pakoras

If you have some leftover veg that you don’t know what to do with or that’s a bit past its best, then throw it in with the same mix you used for the bhajees.

Just mix up anything you have like spinach, potato, cauliflower and grated carrot, use your hands to shape them into small balls, and cook in the same way.

It’s a great way to use up veg that would otherwise be heading into the bin.

Easy vegetable samosas

Leftover veg also makes great filling for a samosa.

Just put your veg in a bowl, throw in some curry powder or seasoning and mix it all together.

Then spoon it onto some shop-bought wraps or filo pastry.

Fold it into triangles and then bake in the oven until crisp and golden.

Again, it’s well worth making a few extra, so they can go in the freezer or maybe in your packed lunch.

Create the takeaway experience at home for less

With just a few basic ingredients, including some that you were probably going to throw away, you’ve got yourself some classic takeaway snacks - for a fraction of the cost.

And they’re the perfect accompaniment to a homemade chicken curry, served with boiled rice or some delicious homemade chips, along with homemade flatbreads.

Healthier, cheaper and really satisfying to make - what’s not to like?