Maharashtrian jhunka bhakar thali

Here's a recipe to prepare this delicious thali:

Ingredients:

For Jhunka:

1 cup roasted gram flour (besan)

1 medium-sized onion, thinely chopped

1/2 bowl spring onion leaves chopped

2 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Salt to taste

For Bhakar:

2 cups millet flour (jowar/bajra flour)

luke warm Water for kneading

Salt to taste

Ghee (clarified butter) for cooking

For Salad:-

Tomato slices

cucumber slices

For Thecha:-

10-12 green chilies

8-10 cloves of garlic

1//4 bowl roasted peanuts

Salt to taste

1 tablespoon oil

Instructions:

Jhunka Preparation:

a. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Let them splutter.

b. Add asafoetida (hing) and sauté for a few seconds.

c. Add onion and saute for few mins till it turn translucent.

d. Then add ginger garlic paste saute for few mins,add turmeric powder, red chilli powder.Mix it.

e. Add spring onion greens, then saute for few seconds.

f. Add roasted gram flour to it.Add salt,add water little by little ,then mix it and cover with lid for few mins.

g. Again open the lid and check if cooked properly, if required add some more water and cover with lid

  for few more seconds.

f. Cook the mixture on medium heat until it thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. This should take about 5-8 minutes.

g. Remove from heat and is ready to serve.

Bhakar Preparation:

a. In a large mixing bowl, take millet flour (jowar/bajra flour) and add salt.

b. Gradually add water and knead with palm for few mins to make a firm dough.

c. Divide the dough into small portions and shape them into round balls.

d. Take a ball of dough and flatten it to make a thick disc-shaped bhakar.

e. Heat a tawa or griddle and place the bhakar on it.

f. Cook on medium heat, on both sides, until golden brown spots appear on the bhakar. Repeat the process for all the dough portions.

g. Apply ghee on both sides of bhakar.

Thecha Preparation-

Thecha is a spicy and flavorful Maharashtrian chutney made with green chilies, garlic, and other

spices. It is often served as a condiment with traditional Maharashtrian meals.

Here's a simple recipe to make Thecha:

Instructions:

a.Wash the green chilies and remove the stems. You can adjust the number of chilies according to

   your spice preference. If you prefer it milder, you can reduce the number of chilies.

b.Peel the garlic cloves and keep them ready.

c.Keep the roasted peanuts ready.

d.Heat oil in a pan or a small kadhai over medium heat.

e. Now, add the green chilies and garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté them for 4-5 minutes

    until they are slightly roasted and the flavors are enhanced.

f. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool down to room temperature.

g. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to chopper or blender or a food processor.Add salt to taste and

grind or blend the mixture to a coarse or fine consistency, depending on your preference.

h. Thecha is ready to be served. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week.

i. Serve Thecha as a side dish or condiment with roti, bhakri (millet flatbread), or any Maharashtrian meal.

Note: Remember, Thecha is known for its spicy kick, so adjust the quantity of green chilies according

to your taste. Enjoy the fiery flavors of this traditional Maharashtrian chutney!

Thali Preparation:

a. Arrange the cooked bhakar and jhunka on a plate.

b. Garnish the jhunka with chopped coriander leaves.

c. Serve the thali with spicy thecha chutney, tomato slices,cucumber slices, ghee and jaggery mix.

Your Maharashtrian Jhunka Bhakar Thali is now ready to be served. Enjoy it as a wholesome meal

with your family and friends!