Zunka, Thalipeet or Besan. Different names of the same dish. But Besan (Gram flour) we call it.
After
getting married, a newly wed girl has to visit her mother's place.Called a Pag
phera rasm. My journey to my hometown in Gujarat from my inlaws
place in Maharashtra is nearly 14 hours by train.
We were
given a pandora box for our journey. At lunch time I opened the pandora box.
One box had Methi Keema & another box has something yellow stuff which had
onions, tomato, green chilly, tumeric accompanied with plain paratha's, onion
and green chilly. Methi Keema was understandable but what was the other stuff.
I just looked at K.
He said with a smile it is BESAN.
My Husband
being a greatest food buff explained to me this dish and the
accompaniments.Its is special Marathi dish. Mostly eaten with Jowar Roti with palm crushed small onions & green chilly.
But why was this given to us for lunch?
Reason, this food can be preserved for 2 days in normal temperature. Another Very good reason. My husband is a complete gaurani ( he tells me gaurani means Complete Desi Indian guy) loves this.
I had eaten Gatte ki sabzi (Rajasthani cuisine) prepared by using besan (gram
flour). But that was with gravy. I had seen my ammi preparing sev pyaz
sabzi. A combination sabzi of little sev & loads of onion with spices.
But here it was like eating only Besan with few spices. Well I like to try out
different cuisines but still I am very choosy in what I eat. But guys a newly married girl is little shy, I was not able to say anything. So
I tried. I took a piece of paratha with Besan. Put it in my mouth. I was then
instructed by Mr.K to eat a piece of onion and then a bite of green chilly.
Well it was good, more than good. The accompaniment onion and green
chilly infused with lemon flavor was one of the best I had in years.
The much hyped dish by K had full marks on the rating of 10. I have
learnt this recipe from my lovely Ma in Law. Its now become a once in month on the
monthly menu.
Now lets jump to the recipe with few pointers.
There are
few instructions to be followed while preparing this dish. Most important is to
cook the Besan(gram flour). You don't want to serve this raw. You will get
stomach aches. Many people don't take care while preparing this dish. Yes, I
have eaten the Raw versions too. But thankfully my first taste of this
beautiful dish was tasty. So I am in love with it. I will try to explain
in the easiest way to cook this dish. But still if any of you have
questions, please feel free to ask.
The recipe serves 3-4 persons
Ingredients
I
1 & 1/2 cup besan (Gram flour)sieved
3 Big size onions chopped
4 Big size tomatoes chopped
II
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp salt to taste (adjust
accordingly to your taste)
2 chopped green chilly
1/2 cup chopped coriander
leaves
III
5 Big spoon oil
1/2 tsp cumin
2 - 3 curry leaves
1/2 glass water
Method:
1. Chopped the tomatoes
and onion
2. Heat oil in
a deep pan. When hot add cumin. When cumin crackle, add chopped onions and
curry leaves.
3. When onion
becomes translucent (soft) add red chilly powder, tumeric powder and salt. Fry
for 2 seconds.
4. Now add
chopped tomatoes, green chillies and coriander leaves. Fry this till tomatoes
have become completely soft. (Tip: Cover with lid to make the process faster on
medium flame - approximately 5 minutes)
5. Now add
the sieved besan (gram flour).Stir quickly to mix in with the
prepared gravy.Keep stirring for 1 -2 minutes.
6. Now sprinkle
little water from the half glass. and keep stirring. When all water gets
evaporated again sprinkle more water.
7. Repeat this process till 1/2 glass water has
finished. (On the last sprinkle of water cover the pan and cook on low flame
for 1 minute. After that open the lid and fry on medium flame for 2 minutes)