Bhee (lotus stem) Tikki

Few days back there was a food event where in the host called upon for Pakora recipes,and being a sindhi i have no reason not to participate in that,coz Sindhis are world illfamous famous for their love for crispy pakoras ,fritters,Tikkis etc,basically anything deep fried

But i wanted to make something special….something which is closely associated to Sindhi cuisine,is something unusual yet delicious….My thoughts wandered from Palak pakora to mix vegetable pakora but i wasn’t satisfied.Then after spending many days in deciding what to come up with,i zero in  down on Bhee Ji Tikki….a stuffed lotus stem,coated with chickpea flour batter and deep fried.

But my enthusiasm was crushed ,when i was unable to find lotus stem in our regular veggie market and despite of many rounds in market i could not hunt them in required time.I missed out the wonderful event

I was bit upset ,and just over a casual talk,i told my mother about it,and as everyone knows how Mothers are…..these crispy lovely Tikkis landed at my doorsteps in no matter of time

Yes… my father grabbed some Bhee from God- knows- where and my mother made the tikkis from them and send them to me.No marks for guessing how much i enjoyed them!

So now I am sending this to dear pooja ,and this is my yet another entry for Pooja’s Theme of the week-Saffron white green

Bhee(kamalkakdi or lotus stem) Ji Tikki

Ingredients:

• Bheeya(Kamalkakdi or Lotus stem) 250 gms
• Coriander leaves  -A small bunch
• Green chillies 4-5
• Garlic 10-12 cloves
• Turmeric powder 1/4 spoon
• Coriander Powder  2 tspn
• Amchoor (Optional) 1/4 tspn
• Gram flour(Besan) 1 small cup
• Salt as per taste
• Red chilli powder 1/4 tspn
• Baking soda a pinch
• Oil for frying

Method:

• Wash thoroughly kamalkakdi,and cut it into pieces of about  2 inches long
• Now boil these in a pressure cooker with some salt and water ,till 1 whistle
• Prick it with knife to check whether kamalkakdi is almost cooked or else boil it further.Depending upon the quality of kamalkakdi,the time to cook ,varies and if you are one of those unlucky people who is cooking bhee that just refuses to soften even after hell lots of cooker whistles ,then make them cook faster by adding few drops of oil or sindhi papad(my MIL gave that tip) while boiling
• Meanwhile mix  chopped coriander leaves,green chillies and  garlic in mortar-pestle (Hamam Dasta) and pound it to obtain a coarse mixture.Please do not grind it,in case you don’t have mortar pestle just crush them on flat surface with rolling pin etc
• Add salt,turmeric powder,coriander powder,amchoor powder(optional) and mix it properly
• Now take besan in a bowl,add some salt,red chilly powder and baking soda and mix it properly.Add water to make a batter of thick consistency
• Now take each piece of boiled kamalkakdi,slit it vertically and stuff the mixture properly
• Dip it in besan batter and coat it properly
• Fry it in hot oil on medium flame for a while,then take it out and press a little in between your palms(carefully so as to not break it) and fry again till crisp and golden colour.Repeat the procedure for all pieces
• Serve this Bheeya ji tikki with coriander and mint chutney,and get praised for your hard work

Well to mark the occasion of Indian Independence day which falls on 15th of August,Pooja asked every participant to write something about India,its culture or its history.

I on my part would like to end up this post with lyrics of this song, that describe Indians according to my perspective;please do take it on lighter note:-)
Hum logon ko samajh sako to samjho dilbar jaani
Jitna bhi tum samjhoge utni hogi hairaani
Apni chhatri tumko dedein kabhi jo barse paani
Kabhi naye packet mein bechein tumko cheez puraani
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani

(If you can understand we Indians, then do try,the more u know about us,the more you will be amazed.On one hand we can hand over our umbrellas to the needy, when its raining and on the other hand we can even cheat you out by selling you outdated stuff ,but after all said and done…we are Indians at our heart,with loads of love for our nation)