This post is especially for Barbara who announced 'The taste of yellow' event - An event to show support for LiveSTRONG Day 2008 from the blogger community.
What is LiveSTRONG?It is a foundation started by Lance Armstrong - the cyclist, the fighter, the survivor! I read his autobiography "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" last summer. It is a beautiful inspirational narration by a man who started life as a commoner, became a celebrity, faced controversy with dignity, and proved to the world that attitude and determination can beat any setback life offers (In his case it was cancer). His fight with cancer has become a legend, but I love him for the fact that he has used his 'Celebrity status' for the good of other cancer patients all over the world.So when I accidently tripped over Barbara's blog and read about this photo competition to raise money for cancer patients I came back immediately to my blog to post this 'zunka' recipe - A traditional Maharashtrian speciality which I prepared yesterday! I did not have the yellow LIVESTRONG band essential for the competition but this is only to show my support and my admiration for all those survivors who keep fighting this deadly disease 24/7 with 'ATTITUDE'. What is LAF? (From here) "The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist, Lance Armstrong, the LAF inspires and empowers people with cancer."
For CANCER facts in INDIA please click on this. Here are a few facts from "Harmony for Silvers Foundation" about CANCER in INDIA - According to a study by the World Health Organization - one in 12 women in urban India will develop cancer in their lifetime.
- Approximately 40 per cent of new cases of cancer in India afflict women.
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Indian cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.
- India has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world. One in every 10 cancer deaths worldwide is in urban India.
- 75-80 per cent of patients are in advanced stages of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
- Visit www.csrtindia.org to get more information about cancer screening.
Zunka:
Zunka or Jhunka is a rustic, Maharashtrian delicacy made of 'Bengal gram flour' or 'Besan'. My Sister in law, Sarala made this once, and I got hooked to it forever. It has a sunny yellow colour, a delicate aroma which entices your senses even before you have taken your first bite! Try it - I bet you won't regret!! If you ever visit Thane, do try this at Tambe's on Station Road, Thane (W). He makes it spicy and soft. I was introduced to Tambe's zunka by Neela, a close friend of mine, who is a lazy cook(I know she will kick me if she reads this so I will append this as well - a lazy but good cook!!). Another friend, Asha makes it 'mau' meaning soft and she adds roasted and powdered peanuts to the recipe - it works wonders but I don't add it myself! I love the plain unadorned rustic version!
Ingredients:
Besan / Bengal gram flour - 2 cups
(Besan can be made at home by oven roasting bengal gram till it releases aroma, cooling and then grinding to a powder - not too fine!)
Onions (Thickly sliced or chopped roughly - which ever suits you!) - 2 medium sized
Ajwain / Aniseeds - 1tsp.
Jeera / Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Parsley / Oregano - 1/4 tsp. (Optional - I noticed that oregano goes rather well with besan so I always add oregano in my besan dishes)
Coriander leaves - 2 to 3 sprigs.
Salt - To taste
Oil - 2 to 3 tbsp.
Turmeric - 1/2tsp.
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp.
Method I followed:
Chop the onions roughly.
Roast the besan till aroma is released and set aside.
Heat oil in a deep wok / kadhai. Add ajwain and jeera (To ensure that it doesn't become gassy - we wouldn't like that!!). Add onions. Add a little salt, turmeric and chilli powder.
Mix. Cover till the onion turn soft.
Add besan, parsley/oregano and sprinkle water all over roughly. Mix. Again sprinkle water about 1/4 cup all over. Mix till the besan gathers into soft crumbs.
Adjust salt. Mix again. It will be a little sticky. Cook stirring, cutting and mixing with a wooden spatula all the while.
The mixture will become soft, lumpy and will crumble upon touch.
To serve:Top with chopped coriander leaves and green chillies and serve it with flatbreads of any kind - bhakri (Made with rice or bhajni), or roti.Variations:1. My neighbour makes it dry with sugar added towards the end and tops it with half a lime squeezed all over.2. My friend Asha, crushes roasted peanuts and adds it in the beginning after the onions.3. Tambe's shop grinds green chillies and garlic and adds the mixture before the onions. They also crackle mustard seeds instead of ajwain or jeera.4. I use oregano, parsley or kasuri methi as they agree with besan and my health!They all taste good irrespective of the additions or deletions.
While you are here, please visit this site to support fight against cancer at 'bake for a cure'. It is inexpensive and for a good cause - I too just came across it!
Labels: Blog events, Colour - Yellow, Cuisine - Indian - Maharashtrian, Ing. - Chickpea flour, Vegan - Side dish
