Lau Patay Kacha Kolar Paturi (Raw Banana steam cooked in Bottle Gourd Leaves - Bong Style)

 

            Paturi typically is a traditional Bong delicacy were fish of any kind is steam cooked. It is sometimes steamed in banana leaf or pumpkin leaves. So this is the latter version, which is an age old recipe, not much heard of. However, such dishes are still prepared in few Bengali homes. Besides steaming, it can also be pan fried. 

          It is an extremely easy, simple and an unique recipe that is so yummy and goes well with hot steamed rice. You also get to eat the leaves as well. A drizzle of some extra mustard oil to the end product enhances the flavor of the dish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this classic humble dish.

• 2 raw bananas, peeled & chopped lengthwise
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut 
• 1 tbsp. mustard seeds, soaked for 10-15 minutes
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 2 tbsp. yoghurt
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• extra fresh green chilies
• extra mustard oil
• few bottle gourd leaves, washed & pat dried

           Blend together coconut, mustard seeds, green chilies and a pinch of salt in a mixer grinder into a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl. 

           Add turmeric powder, coriander leaves, mustard oil, yoghurt and salt to taste. Add the raw banana and marinate for 10-15 minutes. 

           Take 2-3 bottle gourd leaves (depending on their size). Place few raw banana slices along with the gravy in the center along with a chili on the top. 

          Gently fold it into a parcel and tie with a thread. Do the same with rest of the marination mix.

          Arrange the parcels on a greased steamer and steam on a medium heat for 15 minutes. When done, discard the string and open the parcels. 

          Serve them with hot steamed rice with a drizzle of some extra mustard oil if you wish.

Blend together coconut, mustard seeds, green chilies & a pinch of salt in a mixer grinder into a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl. 

Add turmeric powder, coriander leaves, mustard oil, yoghurt & salt to taste. Add the raw banana & marinate for 10-15 minutes. 

Take 2-3 bottle gourd leaves (depending on their size). Place few raw banana slices along with the gravy in the center along with a chili on the top. 

Gently fold it into a parcel & tie with a thread. Do the same with rest of the marination mix.

                      Arrange the parcels on a greased steamer.

Steam on a medium heat for 15 minutes. When done, discard the string & open the parcels. 

Serve them with hot steamed rice with a drizzle of some extra mustard oil if you wish.

Kumro Pata Bora (Pumpkin Leaves Pakoras / Fritters - Bengali Style)

       
          These amazing Pumpkin leaves can be made into many delicious recipes like curry, chutney and now these delicious pakoras / fritters. You must have come across them, growing almost everywhere. Just pick up some tender leaves and make these yummy pakoras and relish them as appetizers with some chutney / sauce as an evening tea-time snack or as an accompaniment to dal-rice combo. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this traditional Bengali delicacy.

• 10-12 Pumpkin Leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/4 cup rice flour
• 1 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
• pinch of baking soda
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• oil to deep fry / shallow fry

          In a bowl, combine together all the above mentioned ingredients (except oil). Add required quantity of water and prepare a thick batter. keep aside for 10 minutes.

          Heat oil in a pan and drop spoonful of the batter. Fry on a low flame on all sides till light golden in colour. 

          Drain on a tissue paper and serve hot with sauce or chutney as an appetizer or as a side dish with rice-dal combo.

                                 Pumpkin plant growing on the terrace of my parents home.

                                  Take few tender leaves. Wash & rinse them.

                                  Chop them roughly. 

                   In a bowl, take besan, rice flour, salt, turmeric powder, ginger, green chilies, 
                   onion, nigella seeds & baking soda.

                     Add chopped greens & make a batter with required quantity of water.

                                Heat oil & drop spoonful in it. Fry till light golden in colour.

                                 Drain on a tissue paper.

                   Serve them hot with some chutney / kasundi as an appetizer, as an evening
                   tea-time snack or as an accompaniment to dal-chawal.