Asparagus Pakoras | Saveur

Ingredients

• 1½ cups chickpea flour (aka gram flour or besan)
• 2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 1¼ tsp. medium-hot red chile powder, such as Kashmiri, plus more to taste
• ⅛ tsp. baking soda
• ½ cups coarsely chopped cilantro
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 lb. asparagus, fibrous ends discarded
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tamarind chutney, for dipping (optional)