Banana Flower Cutlets (Mochar Chop)

The past few weeks have been tough. The internet connection also played truant which did not help matters, meanwhile Blogger closed down for a day and the following day I noticed a comment had just disappeared- why? And how?  Still trying to figure that one out, I am quite upset at losing a precious comment.

Anyway, since there is not much I can do about it, I might as well continue with the job at hand which is to post recipes. In my previous post I showed you how to clean and chop the banana flower.
If you have ventured into that territory or if you are even contemplating doing so then here is a perennially favourite snack of the Bengalis which is Mochar Chop it means Banana Flower Chop. Why Bengalis call it a chop I have no idea personally I think cutlet would be a more appropriate word.

You will notice I have not specified the measurements of the spices as I have already mentioned in my previous post, it will depend on the quantity of the banana flower. You will have to use your judgement, take care not to use  too much spices or else it will mask the inherent flavour of the banana flower.

Ingredients:

• Banana Flower chopped and boiled (see previous post)
• A pinch of turmeric powder.
• Red chilli powder.
• Cumin and coriander powder mix
• A little ginger paste.
• Salt and sugar to taste.
• A small stick of cinnamon, one green cardamom and two or three cloves.
• About half a teaspoon of cumin seeds.
• Any cooking oil of your choice.
• Boiled potatoes.
• Bread crumbs.

Method:

• Take a vessel of your choice and heat a little oil.
• Add the boiled banana flower.
• Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, ginger paste, cumin and coriander mix powder.
• Stir well.
• Add salt and sugar to taste.
• Add a little water and cook till all the spices have blended well with the banana flower.
• Heat a tawa or skillet and dry roast cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamom and cloves. Grind together into powder.
• Add this powder to the banana flower stir well and remove from heat.
• Transfer to a dish and add boiled potatoes.
• Mix well, shape into small flat round equal sized round discs.
• Roll the discs on the bread crumbs and deep fry.
• Serve hot.

 Sending this to Flavors of Bengal event by Priya started by Nayna