Mochar (Banana Flower) Ghonto...

Food is not just a mean to satisfy our hunger, rather it serves as an art characterised by distinct techniques with a mix of specific culture. Various factors like local ingredients, traditions, and customs get involve in the process to create a unique dish. Therefore here I present before you a very popular recipe of the Bengali households- "Mochar Ghonto", prepared to relieve all from the daily toil of excavating some distinct cuisine at the dinner table to please your taste buds. This is a very nostalgic recipe of my grandmother who used to spoil me with these delicacies. Let's try our hands on this special recipe today.

Mochar (Banana Flower)  Ghonto...            
Ingredients-

Mocha – 1 big

Salt – to taste

Turmeric powder – 2-3 tsp

For the Curry-

Mustard Oil – 2 tbsp

Potato – 1, large, peeled and cubed

Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp

Bay leaf – 1

Cinnamon Stick – ½ inch

Ginger – 1 tbsp, grated

Coconut – 1/3 cup, grated

Turmeric powder – 2 tsp

Cumin powder – 1 tbsp

Coriander powder – 2 tsp

Tomato paste – 2 tsp

Red Chilli powder – 1 tsp

Garam Masala powder – 2 tsp

Ghee – 1 tbsp

Sugar – to taste

Salt – to taste

Method-

After the mocha flowers are cleaned and chopped into small pieces, you have to keep it submerged in water along with salt and turmeric.

Pressure-cook the mocha along with the water, salt and turmeric for 15 mins. If you are using an Indian pressure cooker, it would mean 2-3 whistles.

In the meantime, heat the mustard oil in a pan.

Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf and cinnamon stick.

Once the seeds splutter and you get the roasted aroma of the spices, add the potato cubes.

Add salt and turmeric and fry the potatoes for 2-3 mins.

Add the ginger and fry for 2-3 mins.

Then goes the coconut and fry it for another 2-3 mins. By this time the potatoes start to look golden brown.

In a bowl take ½ cup water and add the cumin, coriander and red chilli powder. Mix well.

Add it to the potatoes along with the tomato paste. Mix well and cook on a low flame. If required ¼ cup of water can be added.

Now drain the boiled mocha and add it to the potatoes. Add salt and sugar to taste and mix everything well.

The curry is dry, so you should wait for it to come together and continue to cook on a low flame.

Once done, remove from heat and add garam masala powder and ghee. Mix well.

Serve with steaming hot rice.

Please do try this recipe at your home and let me know how it was in the comments section below. Also do share and follow me for more such easy, tasty and delightful recipes. Thank you. Enjoy.