Mocha Chingri... Banana Blossoms and Prawn Curry..!

Mocha Chingri ( Banana Blossoms and Prawn Curry) is an authentic Bengali delicacy which I love since my childhood and learned to cook from my mother only. But cleaning this vegetable properly is really a very tough job for me. For this reason I very rarely cook this . But I must admit that my extreme mocha lover husband all the time helps me in this respect.

Anyway, here is the process of making Mocha Chingri :

 Ingredients:

• Mocha (Banana Blossoms) : 1 large
• Prawns : 100 grams, small peeled and de-veined
• Potato - 1 medium (diced in very small cubes)
• Coconut Milk: 1/2 Cup
• Whole Cumin Seeds- 1/4 tsp
• Bayleaf - 1 medium.
• Ginger - 1 tsp, ( Paste)
• Cumin powder - 2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder  - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Sugar - 1tsp.
• Dry Red Chilli:2
• Ghee - 1 tsp
• Oil (Mustard) :4 tbsp.
• Garam Masala Powder:1 tsp.
• Water: 2/3 Cups.

 Process:

Mocha/ Banana Blossoms:

• Remove the blossoms after peeling away the outer leaves and clean. Chop finely.
• Now Take a pressure cooker and add the chopped banana blossoms and 2 cups of water  Add little salt and oil.
• Cook it upto 3/4 whistles.
• Drain the excess water using a strainer.
• Keep it aside.

Prawns:

• In a deep bottomed vessel heat little oil and fry the cubed potatoes until golden yellow . Add little salt and turmeric powder while frying them. Keep them aside.
• Now in the same pan heat little more oil and fry the prawns slightly with little salt and turmeric powder. Keep the prawns separately .

 Curry:

• Heat 2 tbsp of mustard oil in a deep bottomed vessel and add the cumin seeds,dry red chili  and bay leaves.
• When the cumin seeds start to splutter add the boiled blossoms and fried potato and mix well.
• Then add the salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder and the ginger paste.
• Mix the blossoms with all the spices very well and cook until the oil start to release from the sides.
• Now mix the coconut milk with 1 cup of water and pour into the curry. Sprinkle little sugar on it and mix.
• Cover and cook on medium flame until the blossoms become mushy and the potatoes are boiled.
• Uncover , add the prawns and mix well cook for few minutes.
• Check the seasoning and sprinkle the garam masala powder and pour the clarified butter (ghee) on the top.
• Turn off the flame . Now your banana blossoms and prawn curry is ready to serve.
• Serve it with steaming hot rice.

                                  Enjoy Your Food..!