PiyajKoli
Piyajkoli in Bengali, are the stem of the Onion buds, it is a winter veggie and a delicacy of Bengal. It is very surprising that Onions are grown in Maharashtra, but these onion buds are not known and seen much in the markets of Mumbai. It is one of my most favorite vegetable and I wait for it eagerly. Very simple to cook and extremely delectable.
I am sharing 2 very easy recipes with Piyajkoli / Onion buds.
Piyajkoli Bhaja / Stem of the Onion Buds stirred fried with potatoes...
Ingredients
2 bunch of Onion buds cut into 1 inch size pieces
2 Potatoes, peeled and cut into long stripes
2 Green chillies slit
1/4 tsp Nigella seeds / Kalonji
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Mustard oil
Method:
Take a wok and heat oil to smoking point and add green chilli and nigella seeds. Let it crackle. Add the potatoes. Saute it for a minute. Sprinkle some salt, stir fry and cook potatoes until they are half done. Add the stem of onion buds, turmeric powder.
Stir occasionally in between and cook on medium high flame till done. Serve with hot dal and rice.
P.S. Small size Prawns can be added to the stir fry...
Aloo ar Piyajkoli Diye Macher Jhol / Fish gravy cooked with Potatoes and Onion buds Stem....
For Marinating and frying the Fish
Ingredients
6 pieces of any Fish like Tangra (Cat Fish) or Rani (Red Mullets) or Barramundi (Bhetki) or any medium size fish...
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Mustard Oil to fry the fish
Method
Marinate the fish with salt and turmeric powder and keep it for 15 minutes. Heat oil in a wok. Fry the fish till brown on both the sides.
For the Gravy
Ingredients
Fried Fish
2 Big size Potatoes cut into wedges
1 Bunch bunch of Onion buds cut into 1 inch size pieces
1 large Tomato sliced
2 Green Chillies slit
2 Green Chillies paste
1 tsp Ginger paste
1/2 tsp Panch Phoran
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Mustard oil
Method
Heat mustard oil in a pan till smoking hot. Add the Panch Phoran and the slit green chillies, let the Panch Phoran crackle. Add the potatoes, saute and cook for 2 minutes, add the tomato, ginger, chilli paste, salt and turmeric powder. Stir and cook for 3 minutes on medium high flame. Add 2 cups of water, half cook the potatoes. Add the stem of the onion buds. Cover and let it simmer till the potatoes are almost done. Add the fish.. Cover and cook on medium heat till the fish is done and the potatoes are cooked. Serve with hot rice.
P.S. Brinjals can also be added to the gravy if wanted..
