Mocha Chingri Ghonto

(Curried Banana Blossoms with Shrimp)

Serving Size: 2 persons

Ingredients:

Mocha (Banana Blossoms) - 1 large

Shrimp - 100 grams, small peeled and de-veined

Potato - 1 medium (100 grams), diced in very small cubes (approx 1 cm)

Whole cumin/ Jeera seeds - 1/4 tsp

Bayleaf - 1 medium

Cinnamon - 2 inch, broken in 2-3 pieces

Green cardamom (choto elaichi) - 4 broken

Ginger - 1 tsp, grated

Cumin powder - 2 tsp

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

Sugar - 1tsp

Green chillies - 2 slit

Ghee - 1 tsp

Oil - as indicated

Preparation:

Mocha:

1. Remove the blossoms after peeling away the outer leaves and clean. Chop finely.

2. Bring to boil 2 cups water with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Add the chopped blossoms and cook covered for 15 minutes.

3. Drain water and using a slotted spoon squeeze out the water completely on a colander. Keep this aside.

Potatoes & Shrimp:

1. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a kadhai. Fry the potatoes and keep aside.

2. Fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on medium heat and keep aside.

Cooking procedure:

1. Heat 4 tbsp oil in a kadhai. Add bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin seeds. Fry till the cumin seeds turn dark brown.

2. Add ginger, turmeric, and the cumin powder (dissolved in 2 tbsp water). Fry for 1 minute.

3. Add the blossoms, mix well and fry for 2 minutes on medium heat.

4. Add the fried potatoes, shrimp, salt, and sugar. Mix well and add in 1/4 cup of water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until most water evaporates. The dish should be moist, and not completely dry. Add the green chillies and ghee and remove from the heat.

Serving Suggestions: