Recipe#11793

Title: Banana Blossoms

Newsgroups: rec.food.veg.cooking 
 From: Amanda@gate.net (Amanda) 
 Subject: Mochar Ghanto 
 Message-ID: rec.food.veg.cooking/575bh4$vmu@news.gate.net 
 Date: Fri, 22 Nov 1996 23:04:04 GMT 

Mochas, banana blossoms, are a challenge to the uninitiated. Keep 
 your palms oiled for easy handling; take the leaves off, chop them
 one at a time, and soak them in water.
 1 1/2 tbl vegetable oil
 1/4 tsp 5-spice
 1 tbl peeled fresh ginger, grated or made into a paste
 1 tsp seeded and chopped fresh green chili
 1/2 tsp turmeric
 10 oz banana blossoms, finely chopped
 1/8 tsp salt
 3 tbl water
 2 tbl dried flaked or shredded sweetened coconut, ground in a blender 
 to a coarse powder, or
 freshly grated or shredded coconut mixed with 1/2 tsp sugar
 1/4 tsp garam masala
 Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Fry 5-spice for a few
 seconds until it starts to pop.  Add ginger, green chili, and
 turmeric and stir several times. Add banana blossoms, salt, andwater.
 Bring to a boil, then lower heat slightly and simmer, covered, 12
 to 15 minutes. Stir in coconut. Remove from heat. Blend in garam
 masala. Let stand covered for 15 minutes to help develop the flavors.
 Serve piping hot.  4 servings.