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Roshbora (Urad Dal Fritters in Jaggery Syrup)

January 5, 2017 By Maumita Paul 3 Comments

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RoshboraPin

It’s long past sunset.
The last vestiges of the evening sun have ebbed out. The crimson of the twilight sky now enveloped by an all-encompassing sinister darkness.
The crickets are out, their cacophony of screeching punctuated occasionally by the ominous shrill cry of the night bird.

What’s Didi doing in the kitchen at so late an hour ? A playful inquisitive curiosity lures Dada and a little me to the kitchen.

I have written about Didi before. She’s Grandma’s shadow in the kitchen. Helping Grandma and Maa with chores in the household for as long as my memory serves. And Dada and my go-to Messiah when Maa and Grandma are both peeved with us.
She loves us fiercely.

We peep in. Taking every care that we are neither seen nor heard.
There’s Didi, her back to the door, too engrossed in what she is doing to even hear us. An ancient kansa kadai, battered with age but still radiant with vainglorious pride, thanks to all of Grandmas fuss with her cherished kansaware (My mother gifted it to me when I was getting married, she would flaunt), rests lazily on the mud oonoon. Full to the brim with oil. (Or is that ghee ?)
She’s deep frying something, Dada, addicted to all the deep-fried sins and more, whispers into my ears. I can hear him salivate.

The kitchen has been a cauldron of manic activity all week. It’s Sankranti next week, the celebration of harvest and Grandma, Maa and Didi have been furiously pottering away in the kitchen, preparing the most elaborate spreads of delectable pithes and pulis.

What do you think Didi is frying ? Dada quizzes in a hushed tone, drooling at the thought of yet another deep-fried delicacy.
Observing that I could not guess either, he tiptoes up to to Didi to steal a glance over her shoulders. Dragging me along.
Didi is furiously whipping a dull ivory-white batter that she has in a kansa bowl. Pausing only to add some mouri (fennel seeds). Then back to frenzied whisking again.

Aah. Didi is making roshbora. I am sure. Dada squeals in excitement. Didi, almost startled at the suddenness of Dadas high-pitched remark, turns to look at us.
Go and play now. She commands. With the pretence of an annoyance. I shall call you two when I am done.
No. I am not moving anywhere. Dada stubbornly revolts. And proceeds to sit next to Didi. I want to have some fritters emni emni (just like that) before you soak them into that syrup.
No. No. Not today. Grandma shall be fuming if I obliged you today. She plans to send roshbora to all the neighbours tomorrow morning. Didi almost pleads.
In mock agony, Dada threatens to leave the kitchen. Well aware that Didi cannot afford to see him unhappy.
OK. Just a couple. Didi submits. But promise that you shall not request for more.
Promise. Dada answers. His trick clearly has paid off. He is beaming now.
Didi takes some of the batter to a separate bowl. Sprinkles some salt. Adds some chillies. Forms balls with her palm  and slides them gently into the oil.
Dada and my favourite dal boras.

This post is for Didi. And her love. Selfless. Pristine. A challenge to all those sceptics who live under the delusion that unconditional love needs a blood relationship.
Sadly, ravages of life compelled us to relocate home and hearth from the sylvan hamlet by the river in the Barak Valley to Kolkata. That was a time when the world had not yet been shrunk by the magic of mobiles or the brawn of the Internet. Over time, Didi faded into oblivion.

Pin

But its days as today when I am alone in my kitchen on a sun-blessed winter afternoon, just a week to go for Sankranti, that a potpourri of images of Didi come fleeting back. Her love for us and those delectable roshbora (or sinful dal bora) she delighted us with.

Roshbora it is, in my kitchen today. Urad dal fritters. Perfumed with fennel seeds. Drowned in a jaggery syrup. For them to soak all the sweetness. And Didis love.

Enjoy !!!

RoshboraPin

Roshbora (Urad Dal Fritters in Jaggery Syrup)

Roshbora. Urad dal fritters. Perfumed with fennel seeds. Fried to a gorgeous golden. Drowned in a jaggery syrup. For them to soak all the sweetness.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Bengali

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup urad dal or kalai dal skinless
  • 2-3 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 tbsp fennel powder freshly ground
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch hing or asafoetida
  • oil for frying

For Jaggery Syrup

  • 70 g date palm jaggery or khejur gur finely chopped
  • 300 ml water

Instructions
 

  • Soak the urad dal overnight. Drain the water, make a smooth paste with very little water.
  • Add the fennel seeds, freshly ground fennel powder, hing and baking powder to the urad dal paste.
  • Whip the dal paste well to mix thoroughly till light and fluffy. The consistency is key to the success of the roshboras. If the paste is too sticky, feel free to splash a little water, mix well.
  • Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan, take small portions of the dal paste, form small dough balls and release gently into the hot oil. Fry till golden. Keep aside on a kitchen absorbent towel.
  • Heat the water and jaggery in a pot for about 12-15 minutes till you get a nice golden syrup. Feel free to throw in more jaggery if you want it sweeter.
  • Soak the fried boras in the hot jaggery syrup for at least 3-4 hours. Remove from syrup and serve.

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Filed Under: Bengali Recipes, Desserts Tagged With: Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Pitha Recipes, Bengali Pithe Puli, Bengali Pithe Recipes, Bengali Recipes, Bengali Winter Recipes, Desserts, Food Photography, Indian Food Photography, Indian Recipes, Khejur gur, Liquid Date Palm Jaggery, Makar Sankranti, Makar Sankranti Pithe, Nalen gur, Nolen Gur, Patali gur, Pitha, Pitha Photography, Pitha Recipes, Pithe, Pithe Photography, Pithe Puli, Pithe Recipes, Poush Parbon, Puli, Puli pitha, Puli pithe, Roshbora, Sankranti, Sankranti special, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Traditional Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen, নলেন গুড়

Previous Post: « Chirer DoodhPuli (Flattened Rice Dumplings with Coconut Jaggery Stuffing, in Milk)
Next Post: Dal Pitha, Bihar Style (Rice Dumplings with a Spicy Dal Stuffing) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maumita Paul

    January 6, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    @Rama @Tia Thank you

    Reply
  2. Tia

    January 6, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    Beautiful narrative. I love Rosboras 🙂

    Reply
  3. Rama

    January 6, 2017 at 2:14 am

    Wonderful !!

    Reply

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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
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Maumita Paul
And the affair with gur continues..... Any guesses And the affair with gur continues.....
Any guesses what’s in the making this evening?.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #pithepuli #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
There is always light. If only we are brave enough There is always light. If only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it !!
 @amandascgorman you are a genius!!!
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Submitting this to “Dark and Moody” challenge by @neethuthomasphotography and @twiggstudios . #mymysticlight 

Also submitting this to “Chiaroscuro” challenge by @happytummybyritumbhara and @stemsandforks . #foodphotobiteswithritu 
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 #food52 #tv_foodlovers #hautecuisines #capturethemoment #foodstagram #foodstyling #foodmaking @hautescuisines #indianfoodbloggers #foodpornography #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #theuncommonbox #darkphotography #capturingmoments #acreativevisual #darkandmoody #stilllife_perfection #moodylight #tastingtable #official_photography_hub #indianshutterbugs #styleonmytable #foodphotography #foodart #simpleandstill #wintervibes #lifeandthyme #moodygrams
When life gives you nolen gur, you go crazy with p When life gives you nolen gur, you go crazy with pithe puli and payesh. 
And then you make a delectable nolen gurer panacotta ❤️❤️❤️
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Recipe link is there in bio.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #nolengur #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #photography #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #pannacotta #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a c Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a cup of masala  tea as the evenings get a tad bit colder !!! 
Any takers ? ❤️ .
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Recipe link is there in bio. 
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 #desi_diaries #storiesofkolkata #theuncommonbox #bengalifood #india_undiscovered @ig_calcutta @stories.of.kolkata #official_photography_hub #teatime #foodgasm #foodstyling #chai #foodphotography #homemade #ig_calcutta #eatseasonal @india_undiscovered @walkwithindia @tv_stilllife #tasteofkolkata #foodporn #gastronomad_m #foodtalkindia #walkwithindia #kolkatabuzz #indianshutterbugs #foodstylist #canonphotography #calcuttacacophony #onlyinbengal #snack #foodstories #acreativevisual #chai #singara #sundayvibes
Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to my heart. 

One of those days when I miss Grandma dearly and yearn to return to childhood and relish all the delectable pithe puli she would make !!! 
Happy Sankranti everyone !!!

On the plate 
Khejur Gurer Patishapta, Doodhpuli, Teler Pitha, Nolen Gurer Payesh and Soru Chakuli.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
New blog post ❤️ And every year, around Sankr New blog post ❤️

And every year, around Sankranthi, the chitoi pithe moulds make a magical re-appearance from the hidden vaults of the windowless sunlight-starved and perennially musty and damp bhnaarar ghor (pantry), illuminated by a lone naked incandescent bulb, before being dusted, scrubbed, soaked, dried and then used in vehement anger for the Sankranti festivities, only to disappear once the euphoria of the harvest festival subsides.
A use and throw culture has still not invaded our lives and the fact that this rather inexpensive non-descript humble artifact is used on just a couple of occasions around Sankranti every year makes not an iota of difference to the magnanimous love and care it receives.
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To read more and try this recipe of Doodh Chitoi , direct link is there in bio. 
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen i Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen is in manic frenzy this morning steaming some stunning Bhapa Pitha. 

I have always preferred freshly ground rice flour to store-bought ones. And my hand-free 1400w hamiltonbeach JMG ensured the rice was ground to fine flour, just as I wanted it, in a blink .
(Also do check the coarse, medium and fine grinding options available which gives us such luxury of choice -  I opted for the fine option for the rice flour)

And  here’s my recipe for the quintessential Bengali Bhapa Pitha / Assamese Keteli Pitha. 
Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain from water. 
Allow the rice to dry over a newspaper or muslin cloth to drain any excess water. 
Use your Hamiltonbeach JMG to blitz the rice to a fine powder.
Transfer the rice flour to a bowl, add a pinch of salt, mix well.
Splash a little water to the rice flour, start mixing with your hand. The texture of the dough should be crumbly and just damp enough. Splash water in small increments, we don’t want a wet batter here.
Sieve the moist flour .
Take a kettle, fill it half with water and bring to a boil.
Wrap the lid of the kettle with a damp muslin cloth.
Spread a layer of the rice flour uniformly over the cloth.
Add 1 tsp of freshly grated coconut on the rice flour, followed by 1 tsp of chopped jaggery And finish it with another layer of rice flour. Press gently, take care to not press it too hard.
Wrap with another piece of moist muslin, put the lid back on over the boiling water.
Steam for 10-12 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid from the kettle. 
Gently remove the outer muslin cloth. Use a sharp knife along the edges of the lid to un-mould the pitha..
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#BigBoxOfLove

#SayToHelloPerfection #ProResultsAtHome #HamiltonBeachIndia #CookLikeAPro #fbciofficial

@hamiltonbeachindia, @fbciofficial @grainandgrowth .
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #glutenfree #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #sankranti
The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is s The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is sheer magic – Pillowy rice flour parcels with a tiny morsel of patali hidden in the center. Stewed in milk perfumed with even more patali gur.
Have a bite, Grandma coaxes.
And the molten patali bursts out of the shackles of the rice flour cocoon.
The fragrance of patali and the perfume of rice leave my palate enthralled.
I take another bite.
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If you want to try this , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced han Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced hands effortlessly remove the pithe from the oil and immerse them in the jaggery syrup, but even before Maa can warn me, I have snatched one and bitten into the gokul pithe.
My tongue is singed.
And for that odd moment, I am all numb.
Minutes, that feel like days, pass.
And then the taste sinks in, sublime, a mellifluous symphony of grated coconut and jaggery.
This is food heaven !!!
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals

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