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Mocha Chingri

Mocha Chingri (Banana Blossoms with Prawns)

By Mita Mondal
Mocha Chingri is a dry Bengali preparation of banana blossom, prawns and potato in a mustard oil masala. I make it on weekends, usually when someone at home asks for something nostalgic.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marination Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Banana Blossoms – 1 piece chopped, cleaned, and then boiled for 8 to 10 minutes with salt and turmeric until just tender
  • Prawns – 200 gm cut and cleaned
  • Potato – 1 piece Peeled and cut into small cubes
  • Onion – 2 pieces chopped
  • Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 Tbsp pasted with 2 green chili
  • Green Chili – 2 pieces used in ginger garlic paste
  • Turmeric Powder – 1 Tsp
  • Red Chili Powder – half Tbsp
  • Garam Masala – 1 Tbsp
  • Coriander Powder – 1 Tbsp
  • Cumin Powder – 1 Tbsp
  • Bay Leaf – 1 piece
  • Dry Red Chilies – 2 pieces
  • Cumin Seeds – 1 Tsp
  • Mustard Oil – 3 Tbsp
  • Ghee – 1 Tbsp unsalted butter works, though the aroma will differ
  • Salt – as required
  • Water as much as required

Instructions
 

  • First, marinate the prawns with salt and ¼ tsp of turmeric and leave it for 10 minutes.
  • Light the clay stove or gas stove, and heat the kadai or wok.
  • Add some oil to the wok and heat it. Then, add the chopped potatoes, salt & ¼ tsp of turmeric. Fry the potatoes and set them aside. (Pro tip: Heat mustard oil until it smokes lightly. This removes the raw smell.)
  • Next, fry the prawns in the same oil lightly and set them aside. (Pro tip: Cook the prawns until they turn slightly golden and curl into a loose "C", or else they will be rubbery in the end).
  • Add some more oil to the pan, and then add the cumin, bay leaf, and dry chilies. Let them fry.
  • Add the chopped onion and fry until it turns light brown.
  • Now, add the ginger and garlic paste, and stir it well to eliminate the raw smell.
  • Add 1 tbsp of water, and then add all the powdered spices such as ¼ tsp of turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Add a pinch of salt.
  • Add the prawns to the masala and stir well.
  • Include the banana blossom and cook it for 5 minutes, adding ¼ tsp of turmeric & 2 tbsp of water.
  • Add a pinch of salt and cover it with a lid for 10 minutes.
  • Finally, add the garam masala and ghee. (Pro tip: Let it rest for five minutes. This will allow the flavors to settle and the masala cling better.)
  • Mocha Chingri is ready.

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Notes

Take your time to prepare the banana blossoms before cooking. Remove the outer layers, soak the blossoms in water with salt and turmeric, remove the stamen, and finely chop the blossoms. Rinse thoroughly after cutting to remove any additional bitterness.
I temper the spices before adding the prawns and banana blossoms in hot oil. The tempered cumin seeds, bay leaves, and other spices will add to the flavor.
Make sure that the banana blossoms are tender. They should not be mushy or slimy.
Adjust the spice level as per your taste preferences. Taste while cooking to make the necessary adjustments.

Nutrition Info (Estimation Only)

Nutrition Facts
Mocha Chingri (Banana Blossoms with Prawns)
Amount per Serving
Calories
 
320
Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
 
0.003
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
90
mg
30
%
Sodium
 
964
mg
42
%
Potassium
 
1231
mg
35
%
Carbohydrates
 
29
g
10
%
Fiber
 
11
g
46
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
15
g
30
%
Vitamin A
 
470
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
14
mg
17
%
Calcium
 
89
mg
9
%
Iron
 
74
mg
411
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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