Kumro Phuler Bowra Thali

The main eye catcher of this thali is Kurmto Phuler bowra, so I've named this thali after this item.

• This thali contains :
• Kumro Phuler bowra
• Mochar ghonto
• Bhaja mooger dal
• Chingri chichinger torkari
• Katla macher jhal

Usually in Bengali household, we have a full course meal for alsmot daily basis. There should be a bitter starter, a dal, some fries, a vegetable curry, 1 or 2 types of fish items & chutney. But sometimes the starter and the dessert part could be missing for unavailablity of ingredients. But the middle part still remains the same. ☺

One of the basic thalis of bengali

Ingredients

• Kumra Phul 4, lenghtwise halved
• Besan 1/2 cup
• Rice flour 2 tablespoons
• Salt to taste
• Red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Kalongi or nigella seeds 1/2 teaspoon
• Pinch of poppy seeds
• Water as much required to make a thick pakoda batter
• Sunflower or peanut oil for deep fry

Steps to prepare

• Take everything in a bowl except Kumro phul, and add water little by little. Not all the water at a time. Mix with a fork to make a smooth pakoda batter. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, heat enough oil in a deep frying pan. Take little batter and drop into the oil, if it floats immidiately the oil is ready. Don't let the oil smocky, the bowra may burn.
• take each part of Kumro phul, dipped into the batter and put in the hot oil, flip after 30 seconds to fry equally each sides. After frying both sides nicely, take them out of the pan and put onto paper towel to soak excess oil.

Ingredients

Shrimp or kucho chingri deshelled and devined, marinated with salt & turmeric Mustard oil 2 tablespoons Panch foron 1/2 teaspoon Green chili 2 Snack gourd or chichinge 2 medium size, or a 5ft long one, peeled and chopped Onion 2 medium, finely chopped Potato 2 medium, peeled & chopped turmeric 1/3 teaspoon Salt to taste Sugar to taste(optional) Red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Steps to prepare

• Take a pan, heat oil and fry the shrimp lightly, otherwise the shrimp can be chewy. Take them out and place in a bowl.
• In the same oil, add panch foron & chili and fry for few seconds. Add chopped snake gourd, onion & potato into the pan, add salt, turmeric & mix everything together.
• Add red chili powder and little water and cover the pan with a lid, simmer the heat and let the veggies to cook for at least 5 to 8 minutes. After 5 minutes check if the vegetables are cooked or not, if not let it be for another 2,3 minutes, may sprinkle some water if needed.
• After 3 minutes open the lid, add the fried the shrimp & sugar and higher the heat. Let's evaporate the excess water if any. Now start stir frying the veggies till a nice fried smell comes out from the dish. Check for salt, add if required. Turn off the heat and serve with dal.