Onion Pakora(Peyaji)

Onion Pakora(Peyaji- in Bengali),is famous and frequent as Bengalis evening snacks.This is probably the'onion recipe',amongst Bengalis.Its is simple and  can be cooked in quick time.

Serves-2-3

Ingredients:

1.Onions (peyaj)- 4 big, evenly chopped

2.Green chilli (kacha lanka) - 4 finely chopped

3.Cornflour- 2 tbsp

4.Bengal Gram Flour(Besan)- 3 tbsp

5.Baking Powder-1 pinch

6.Salt to taste.

7.Water- 

8.Oil to deep fry(preferably mustard oil) 

Preparation:

1.Take a bowl and add the cornflour and the gram flour.

2.Add the baking powder and mix well.

3.Take another bowl,add the the chopped onions,finely chopped green chillies.Add a sprinkle of water only to moisten the onions.

4.Add the flour mixture and salt.Mix them evenly.The mixture should be even and tight.

5. At first make small balls.

6.Flatten out by pressing them between your hands.

7.Heat oil a shallow pan/kadai and fry the pakoras till they become golden brown.

8.Serve with tomato sauce or green chutney.

Tips: Whenever frying any pakoras,controlling the heat is crucial for the pakoras to get evenly fried.The oil should be heated first and on releasing all the pakoras,lower down the flame(simmer) till the inside of the pakoras get cooked.Again increase the heat,till they become golden brown and crispier.

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Jhaal Muri-Kolkata Style(Spicy Puffed Rice)

Go through the streets of Kolkata- you will get to enjoy the taste of  Bengali's most favorite snack.Even the multi-millionaires coming out of their cars and enjoying the roadside 'jhal muri'.
People,especially the Bengali ladies, die to taste the 'jhaal muri ' while traveling on train.Having 'jhaal muri'on a train has become a tradition and culture amongst Bengalis.
Its the time to showcase this  original 'Kolkata jhaal Muri' , available in the road side, and tastes spicy yet yummy and perfect.

Serves-2

Ingredients:

1.Puffed rice (Muri) - 3 cups

2.Mustard Oil- 3 tsp

3.Chopped Onion –3 tsp

4.Boiled Potato (small dices)- 6 tbsp

5.Soaked chana(Bengal gram)-3 tsp

6.Lemon juice - 3 tsp

7.Masala powder - 3 tsp

*Dry roast 4 tsp jeera (cumin seeds), 2 tsp coriander seeds and 1 red chilies. Cool and grind them together to powder.

8. Roasted Peanuts – 6 tbsp

9.Plain Jhuri bhaja(bhujia)-6 tbsp

10.Coconut-3 tbsp(very finely chopped)

11.Green Chilies(very finely chopped)-2 tsp

12.Salt- To taste

Process:

1.Take the puffed rice in a deep container. Add all the ingredients except mustard oil,masala powder.Mix well.

2.Now add the masala powder and the mustard oil and mix well. The homogeneous taste

depends on how well you have mixed.

*Be extra cautious while adding salt as puffed rice already contains salt.

3.You can garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.