MOCHAR PATURI

(STEAMED BANANA FLOWER)

Give a Bengali a single ingredient, and he will prepare it in a hundred different ways. Here, the banana flower gets the steam treatment wrapped in banana leaves, and is reborn as an exquisitely tasty dish with the tang of mustard and the sweetness of coconut.

Preparation time: 70 minutes

Serves: 4 persons

160 gm prepared mocha (banana flower) mixture

(refer to Mochar Ghonto recipe)

10 gm mustard paste

25 gm grated coconut

2 banana leaves

Mustard oil to grill

Salt to taste

1.

In a bowl add the mustard paste, grated coconut, and the mocha mixture. Mix well.

2.

Adjust seasoning. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions.

3.

Take a banana leaf, roast lightly over a slow flame so that it becomes pliable.

4.

Cut the banana leaves into 4 equal squares and place each portion of the mixture in the centre of each individual leaf folding the ends over to shape like a parcel.

5.

Tie each parcel with a string.

6.

Heat 5 ml mustard oil in a non-stick pan and grill each of the 4 pieces till the leaves turn dark.

7.

Serve hot.