With each passing day there are some very traditional and rare recipes which are loosing their sheen and I am sad to think that next generation will be clueless about age old recipes. One such hardly heard recipe is 'Bok Phool Bhaja'.
During a very short period between receding summer and upcoming winter grows a flower typically called as Bok Phool by Bengalis (Scientific name: Sesbania Grandiflora Leguminosae). The literal meaning of it is that 'bok' means crane, which is white in color and 'phool' means flower.
Both by it's color and it's long shape it slightly does resembles like a crane. In the same line even Kumro phool (Pumpkin flower fritters) is also very popular. During my last visit to Kolkata just before my departure I saw a man sitting on a road side selling these in separate plastics worth Rupees 12/-. Carried it with me in flight and enjoyed these fritters sitting in Chennai !
Try this Stuffed Hyacinth Beans Fry /Sheem Bhaja
Ingredients:
8-9 Bok phool/phul
4 tbsp Gram flour (besan)
4 tbsp Cornflour
2 tsp Poppy seeds
Pinch of turmeric powder
Pinch of Baking soda
Salt to taste
Chilled water
Refind oil for deep frying
Method:
Remove the filament of flower and dip the flower into saline water for 10 minutes. This is done to disinfect it from any germ inside the petals. The blossoms are very delicate so do handle with care !
In a bowl mix cornflour, gram flour, poppy seeds, soda, turmeric and salt. Add 1/4 chilled water and make homogeneous batter. Heat oil in a deep frying pan and dip blossoms in the gram flour batter.
Deep fry for couple of minutes on low flame until light golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and place the fried blossoms on tissue paper to soak extra oil. Serve immediately with steamed rice-dal combination. We had this with Kichdi !
Nvr know these flowers can be eaten... Very innovative...
ReplyDeleteMy Oriya neighbor used to give to me pumpkin flower bhajjis, i can imagine the taste of this bajjias. Lovely delicious bajjias looks crisp and delicious.
ReplyDeleteinteresting recipe dear
ReplyDeleteThe flower looks familiar, but am not sure what it is! :) Nice fritters!
ReplyDeletePerfect for rainy evenings..Even ur bhajis are very romantic and luvly :)
ReplyDeleteI have something like this with zucchini flower long back, they looks very tempting.
ReplyDeleteBlossom fritters!would love to try that some day.
ReplyDeleteLooks so beautiful and yummy
ReplyDeleteDelicious wish I can taste test some.
ReplyDeletewow.. never heard abt such a dish n a flower can be eaten..
ReplyDeleteHave not heard or seen this flower before. Looks delicious fried into frittters!
ReplyDeleteCrunchy and yummy bok ful bhaja. Dekhei jibe jol ese gelo eta amar khub priyo bari gelei khai. Beautiful presentation, Deepa.
ReplyDeleteHave seen pumpkin flowers but this one is new to me...looks delicious
ReplyDeleteCant tell you how much I adore these pretty flowers. Even in kolkata it is hard to get. My favouirte pick is a road side seller at Rashbehari crossing, and like you said, whenever i go tot Kolkata, got one huge bunch of these. so right about such recipes losing its sheen. btw the bok phool bora looks so crucnhy, wish I could have them right now !
ReplyDeleteSukanya
New to me, It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeletethis is so unique Deepa, never heard or tasted such a dish....i wonder if we get these flowers here in US? Gotta ask my Bong friends ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeing a probashi Bengali , I don't think I have ever eaten bok phool bhaja....kumro phol bhaja ta ami jani and kheye chi O ...but never these, eyi baar Kolkata gele jodi payi eyi ta..these looks so very delicious Deepa..hugs and smiles
ReplyDelete