Banana Flower is called Mocha and its ghonto is a Bengali delicacy. Mochar ghonto is prepared in different ways by using various ingredients in our house. Ma cooks it with potatoes and sometimes with Bora. Adding fried shrimps(Chingri maach ) enhances the taste of this dish.
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| Mocha Ghonto |
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| Fresh Coconut. |
Ingredients:
- Banana Flower (Mocha) -1 large size
- Potato (Aloo) - 2 large size
- Coconut (Narkol) - half, grated
- Green chilles (Kacha Lanka) - 4nos
- Cumin powder ( jaare guro) -1 tsp
- Red chilly powder(sukno lanka guro) -1/2 tsp
- Garam Masala,(gota gorom masala) -3cloves, 3Cardamom,1 inch Cinnamon stick
- Salt (noon)-as per taste
- Sugar9Chini)-as per taste
- Mustard Oil (sorsher tel) / refined Oil-4 tbsp
- Desi Ghee-2 tbsp
- Bay Leaves (tej Pata)-3
- Cumin Seeds,whole(gota jeere)-1/4 tsp
- Turmeric powder(holud guro)-1/4 tsp
Method :
Choose a large size banana flower. To peel take a small flower. Open the flower. Remove long stem along with outer feather. Remove stem along with feather.
Take out each flower from the inflorescence and cut off the anther from it.Tip : Mocha tends to leave a dark stain. To avoid this ,dab some mustard oil or salt periodically while handling the mocha.
Chop the flowers very finely.
Banana Flowers Being Cut
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| Banana Flower |
Take out each flower from the inflorescence and cut off the anther from it.Tip : Mocha tends to leave a dark stain. To avoid this ,dab some mustard oil or salt periodically while handling the mocha.
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| Banana Flower Separated |
Chop the flowers very finely.
Banana Flowers Being Cut
Also chop the potatoes into small pieces. Keep aside.
Powder the whole garam masala spices together. Keep covered.
Put all the chopped flowers in a wok or a deep pan , pour water till all are under water.Add a pinch of turmeric powder and salt to it. In India we use the pressure cooker for this purpose. Boil to soften. Drain water.
Heat the oil in a wok and add the whole cumin seeds and bay leaves. Stir a bit and add the chopped potatoes. First fry the potatoes till they are tender.
Then, add the powdered spices...turmeric powder,cumin powder, red chilly powder , salt and sugar. Fry the spices well on low flame. Sprinkle some water if the spices seem to be sticking to the bottom.
Add the boiled flowers to the spices and some water as well and stir fry constantly on low flame. Add about two table spoons of grated coconut and keep the rest aside for garnishing.
When the water dries up and it is well cooked sprinkle the garam masala powder evenly. Also add the ghee and turn the gas flame off. Mix well.
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with grated coconut.
This is a vegetarian preparation , but you can add fried shrimps or prawns to enhance the dish. Avoid the use of grated coconut in that case. Powder the whole garam masala spices together. Keep covered.
Put all the chopped flowers in a wok or a deep pan , pour water till all are under water.Add a pinch of turmeric powder and salt to it. In India we use the pressure cooker for this purpose. Boil to soften. Drain water.
Heat the oil in a wok and add the whole cumin seeds and bay leaves. Stir a bit and add the chopped potatoes. First fry the potatoes till they are tender.
Then, add the powdered spices...turmeric powder,cumin powder, red chilly powder , salt and sugar. Fry the spices well on low flame. Sprinkle some water if the spices seem to be sticking to the bottom.
Add the boiled flowers to the spices and some water as well and stir fry constantly on low flame. Add about two table spoons of grated coconut and keep the rest aside for garnishing.
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| Fresh Grated coconut |
When the water dries up and it is well cooked sprinkle the garam masala powder evenly. Also add the ghee and turn the gas flame off. Mix well.
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with grated coconut.
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| Mocha ready |
delicious....
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