Narkel'er Bora r Dalna || Coconut Fritters curry

Preparing Narkel'er bora or Coconut fritters needs very much patience as it's a time taking affair in the kitchen. Though now-a-days we get readymade shredded coconut at shops. I have seen my mom buying coconut, break it, shred it and then proceed with the process of preparing heavenly Narkel'er bora for making this awesome Bong cuisine. We do not have to go through such hassles, since we get readymade shredded coconut now-a-days, and almost many easily usable ingredients are available in the departmental stores. This is a pure veg recipe, no onion garlic is used.

Ingredients: 

For Coconut Fritters:

1. Coconut - 2 cups (shredded)
2. Green chilli - 2-3 (finely chopped)
3. Rice flour - 1/2 cup or 2 tsp
4. Cornflour - 2 tsp
5. Salt as per taste
6. Sugar - 1 tsp (optional)
7. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Ghee - 1 cup - to fry and cook
9. Coriander leaves - 1 tsp (finely chopped) - This is optional, you can fry the fritters without coriander leaves and can add them in the gravy, as per your choice.

For the curry:

1. Ginger paste - 1 tsp
2. Green chilli - 2-3 
3. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
4. Bay leaf -1
5. Dry red chilli - 1-2
6. Hing - a pinch
7. Sugar - 1/2 tea spoon
8. Salt as per taste
9. Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp

Process: 

For making the fritters: 

1. Take the shredded coconut in a bowl. Add the chopped green chillies, Cornflour, rice flour, salt, sugar and turmeric powder in it. Add coriander leaves also (if you are using). Mix well, try not to add water because coconut itself releases water.

2. Prepare balls from the mix taking small portions and flatten little with the help of your palms. They are ready to be fired. Heat oil and on a moderately low heat, fry the fritters on batches, make sure the heat should not be very less, it can break the fritters. you need to take care on the heat properly while cooking this, much patience is required here.

3. Once all the fritters are done, place them on a tissue paper and keep aside.

4. In a deep frying pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds, hing, bay leaf and saute for 2 minutes. Now add ginger and chilli paste, salt, sugar, turmeric powder and half cup of water. Saute them till oil separates from the spices. Now add 2 cups of water. When the gravy starts boiling, add the fritters and cook it for 2 minutes in medium flame.

5. Add ghee and garam masala powder and for 1 more minutes. Narkel'er borar dalna is ready to serve. Serve with steamed rice. You can also enjoy simple Narkel'er bora along with plain Dal-Bhat (steamed rice and dal)