Cut the vegetables into small pieces. Generally raw banana, potato, brinjal, onion and other similar vegetables are made into thin slices. Cauliflower and broccoli are cut into bite sized florets. Bread is cut diagonally to form a triangle and appalam is kept whole or halved.
Mix all the dry ingredients (besan, corn flour, red chili powder, baking soda, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt) in a bowl.
Add water little by little while mixing it constantly to make a smooth batter.
In the mean time heat oil for deep frying. Add a tbsp of hot oil to the batter and mix. This step also yields crispy bajjis.
Dip the vegetable slices ( or bread or shrimp or chicken pieces) one at a time in the batter so that it is completely coated with the batter.
Drop it carefully in the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the oil. There should be enough space for the bhajis to float in the oil without getting stuck to each other.
Deep fry till it becomes golden brown.
Drain excess oil in paper towels and serve hot with some chutney, hot sauce or ketchup.