I am very enthusiastic about food, especially old traditional ones. I belong to such a family which has a diverse reach to various cultures from different parts of the world. Most striking of all is the influence of “Opaar Bangla” or currently known as Bangladesh. As my ancestors are from there, since my childhood I have come across various recipes which are now somewhat forgotten in our regular busy lives. So, one of those is the recipe I am going to mention here. It is called “Rosun er Bharta” / “Lahsun Ka Bharta” / “Spicy Minced Garlic”. I was introduced to this recipe by my Granny who again passed it on to my mother and from her to me. I hope you will like it.
Let’s get started with the recipe.
Preparation Time:
30 minutes ( Approximately)
Ingredients:
- Garlic (Large size, 20 – 25 cloves)
- Mustard Oil
- Red Chili (5 -6)
[ N.B.- For health benefits, it is wiser to avoid red chilli and use Green chillies instead. If using Green Chilies, take 7-8 of them along with 2 red chillies (depending on the heat and capacity to take the heat) ] - Nigella Seeds (1 tsp)
- Onion (1 small – coarsely chopped)
- Salt – to taste
Method:
- Take the Garlic cloves and soak them in water for 15 mins, this way it is easier to peel them.
- After peeling, wash them thoroughly and boil them in water for 10 mins. As the cloves are a little softer, take them down.
- Add 1 tsp of oil to a frying pan and add the boiled garlic cloves into it. Fry them until they turn soft and a little brown. Covering the pan with a lid helps the cloves to fry and turn soft faster.
- After the cloves are ready take them out and set them aside, in that oily pan itself roast the red chillies (or green chillies also if you are using them). Set them aside when done.
- Now again take 1 tsp oil in a pan and add 1 tsp of Nigella seeds. As soon as the seeds are fragrant add the coarsely chopped onions, salt to taste. Fry them in light golden brown. When done, set aside.
- Now, when all the ingredients will cool down, take the fried softened garlic cloves in a bowl and mash them well, (as per choice, I like my garlic coarsely mashed so I have done that way). Now add all the other ingredients and mix all of them well. Keep checking the salt. Add as per taste.
- It will give a soft feeling when done. Now your Bharta is ready.
It is best served with hot rice. I feel this is the best Bengali delicacy involving a simple ingredient. The process is also very easy. It takes hardly 30 mins to prepare the dish. It is delicious and easily serves as a side dish with rice. I will recommend all of you to give it a try once.
An HR Manager by profession. Workaholic. Extremely emotional. I have a huge passion for cooking and I love to experiment with new flavours.
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