Broccoli Zunaka -A 7 minute healthy recipe!

 serves 4

Recipes passed down the generations are my treasured heirlooms. They have been passed down from my grandmothers to my mother and from my incredibly talented mother,  to me. I have modified some recipes  so they are easy to make in today’s hectic world and are also healthier versions to fit our changing lifestyle. And you know me! I am not willing to compromise on the original taste of these dishes. Zunaka is one such dish. Some of the other dishes that I have posted like rice bowl with fish curry , Pithaley and rice bowl with potato curry  are also heirloom recipes that I have simplified.

Zunaka is a vegetable dish that is very popular in Maharashtra, India. Mention Zunaka to any Maharashtrian and they will tell you that it is the most down to earth food that they can think of. Zunaka is a staple food of the farmers and for folks living along the country side and is eaten with warm and toasty bread called bhakri. Zunaka is made generally with some fresh greens like scallions which are spiced and combined with besan or gram flour, which adds the protein content to the dish.

I have used broccoli here as I like the texture of the crisp broccoli in the zunaka, not to mention it being nutrient rich. Fennel seeds and amchoor (dried mango powder) are not traditional to Maharashtrian cuisine but I love how these two ingredients juxtapose with the taste of besan.

Enjoy this quick and easy 7 minute microwave recipe that I am glad I developed ! My family loves it so much that I get asked to make it again and again! I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does.

Ingredients-

• 2 tablespoons oil
•  ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/8 teaspoon asafetida powder
• ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
• ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
• 5 or 6 fresh curry leaves
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder ( or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon coriander seed powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin seed powder
• 2 cups chopped broccoli,florets and stems
• salt to taste
• 1¼ tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon amchur powder (dried mango powder)
• 1/2 cup besan +1/2 cup laddoo besan

To make the zunka-

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the  oil with the next 11 ingredients. Microwave on high for  2 minutes. My pictures are not that great, but they will give you an idea of what the mixture looks like.

   

   

   2. Add the broccoli, salt, brown sugar and amchur powder . Mix well and microwave again on high for another minute.

 

 

 

3. Add the combined besans and mix well.

4. Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes on high. Stir well and microwave for another minute.

5. Microwave for one minute more. 7 minutes total in the microwave!

Yummy zunka is ready!

Enjoy!

Love,

Sandhya