Mochar Ghonto/Banana blossom spicy dry curry


Mochar ghonto is delicious Bengali dish. Banana blossoms or plantain flower or banana heart is called mocha in Bengali. It grows at the end of the stem holding the bunch of bananas. It is deep cherry red in color and a valuable source of potassium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The flower of banana plant is used in South Asian cuisine and in India it is mostly loved among Bengalis and people from South India. It is cooked in soups and curries and sometimes delicious fritters are also made from this. Today we are sharing a very popular recipe from traditional Bengali kitchen.


Preparation time    40 minutes
Cooking time 30 to 40 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients: 1 large Banana blossoms 1 cup Potato cubed and fried 1 onion paste 1 tsp of garlic paste 2 tsp of ginger paste 1 tomato chopped 1 tsp of jeera powder/ cumin powder 1 tsp of turmeric powder 1 tsp of red chili powder 1 whole red chilly 1 tsp of panch phoran ( Bengali five spice) 1 bay leaves break into two 1 tsp of garam masala powder 1 tbsp of ghee ¼ cup of fried coconut slices or small shrimp 1 to 2 tsp of sugar or to taste ½ cup of mustard oil Salt to taste Methods of Cooking
The most laborious part of cooking this banana blossom is taking out the edible part from the large tough outer covering. Apply some mustard oil in your hand before peeling the banana blossom because then you can avoid messing up with the sticky juice which comes out while peeling. Peel the outer covering then you will find bunch of florets take each florets and discard the string in the middle with tiny head and the transparent thick covering, both of this not edible so remove this from all the florets. Once this is done chop the florets finely. Now with little salt pressure cook these florets with water till they are well cooked. Strain the water and then keep the cooked mocha aside. Mash the mocha/ banana blossom slightly with hands. Now heat oil and then add panch phoran, bay leaves and whole red chili. When the panch phoran starts to splutter then add the ginger garlic paste. Sauté for a minute then add the onion paste sauté for a minute. Then add chopped tomato, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder with one table spoon. Sauté and cook till oil ooze out from the masala. Now add the cooked mocha. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes continuously stirring the mixture. Then add the fried potato and fried coconut or fried shrimp whatever you are using. Then add salt and sugar. Mix well and continuously stir and cook for another 10 minutes till the mocha is well fried and water is completely dried up. Serve this delicious mochar ghonto with hot steamed rice but you can also serve with luchi or simple Indian flat breads.

Happy Cooking!

Comments

  1. loved this authentic Bengali fry curry,healthy and tasty :-)

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