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Bohar bhaji
बोहार भाजी: tender bohar flower buds cooked with onion, chilli and a little curd
For a few weeks each spring, Raipur's markets sell small heaps of bohar, the young buds of the lasoda (Cordia) tree, and they are one of the most prized and pricey vegetables in Chhattisgarh. Cooked with onion, chilli and a spoon of curd, they have a pleasant, slightly sticky bite and an earthy taste, and families eat them with rice and dal for as long as the season lasts. People often skip the boiling step; without it the buds stay gummy and slightly bitter. Chef's tip: if you cannot find bohar, the same masala works with tender lasoda (gunda) fruit from Indian grocers, which is the same tree.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bhaji
- 10 ½ oz bohar buds or tender lasoda (gunda)stems removed
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 2 onionsthinly sliced
- 2 green chilliesslit
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3 tbsp plain curdwhisked
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Boil 10 ½ oz bohar buds or tender lasoda (gunda) in plenty of water with half the 1 tsp salt for 6–7 minutes until tender, then drain and rinse in cold water to wash off the stickiness.
8 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil in a kadhai until hazy, add ½ tsp mustard seeds and let it crackle.
2 minStep 3: Add 2 onions and 2 green chillies and fry 5 minutes until the onion is golden.
5 minStep 4: Stir in ¼ tsp ground turmeric, ½ tsp red chilli powder and 1 tsp ground coriander with a splash of water and cook 1 minute.
1 minStep 5: Add the buds and the rest of the salt and toss for 3 minutes over medium heat.
3 minStep 6: Lower the heat, stir in 3 tbsp plain curd and cook 2 minutes, stirring, until it clings to the buds and the oil shows at the edges. Serve with rice.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bohar bhaji take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of mustard seeds?
- Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).
- What can I use instead of onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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