MAHARASHTRIAN    ZUNKA 

A request was made by few friends for "Zunka" - the all time favourite Maharashtrian dish, eaten with Bhakris made out of Jowar (Sorghum) or Bajra (Pearl) Millet. I just love zunka and accompanied with Bhakris, homemade white butter, garlic chutney, onion ringlets and lime, this simple rustic dish is a real treat for the taste buds !
Not very difficult to make, the Zunka is my all time favourite 

ZUNKA - BHAKAR

Ingredients : 

Besan i.e. Gram Flour - 200 gm 

Groundnut Oil - about 7 tbsps

Onions - 2 to 3 big, chopped 

Ginger Paste - 1.5 tsp

Garlic Paste - 1.5tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tbsps

Curry leaves (Karipatta) - 1 tbsp 

Red Chilli powder - 1.5 tsp or as per taste 

Turmeric (Haldi)   - 1/2 tsp Haldi      

Salt to taste       

Coriander leaves for garnishing        

Method :

1. Heat Oil in a Kadhai ( vessel similar to a wok).
   
   
2. Add mustard seeds and when they stop spluttering, add curry leaves.
   
   
3. Add Ginger and Garlic Paste and sauté till brown
   
   
4. Stir on slow fire and add chopped onions and sauté till the rawness goes.
   
   
5.  Add Turmeric, Red chilli powder and sauté again quickly without letting it burn.
   
   
6.  Add Besan i.e. Gram flour and mix all the spices well with the Besan, add salt and keep sautéing till it mixes well.
   
   
7. Pour very little oil from the side and keep sautéing. The mixture will have a dry look but keep sautéing .
   
   
8. Do not add water.
   
   
9.  Once the besan is thoroughly sautéed, sprinkle little water with hand all over the mixture, mix, and then cover the mixture for 5 minutes and steam cook.
   
   
10. After 5 minutes, remove the cover and sauté the mixture well and then sprinkle little water again and mix. Cover for 5 minutes and steam cook.
    
    
11. After 5 minutes repeat the same. 
     
12. Then once the mixture is  cooked, garnish with coriander and serve hot

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~