In Ramadan, we all crave something delicious after a long day of fasting. However, it is important to make sure that the food we are taking is not only satisfying our hunger but also offering us the nutrients and energy we need. Piyaju/Lentil Fritter is a food that offers exactly the same!
piyaju is a delicious and nutritious snack that is a beloved part of our culture, cuisine, and tradition. Whether it is about having a regular hangout with friends or welcoming guests, piyaju just sets the mood of the meeting!
In the month of Ramadan, piyaju turns out to be a must-have item on the iftar table. After abstaining from food and drink for a long day, iftar becomes a much-anticipated meal that is enjoyed with friends and family. piyaju has become a popular choice on the iftar table of Bengalis, as it is delicious, filling, and offers an instant boost of energy after a long day of fasting.
Piyaju is made with soaked and ground yellow lentils (mung dal), onions, green chilies, and spices. The mixture is shaped into small flat patties, and then deep-fried until they turn crispy and brown. To enhance the taste further, you can eat it with some chutney or sauce made with mint, tamarind, or coriander.
While piyaju itself is so delicious to eat, it is often added to the “Muri makha” mix in the iftar. In the Bengali iftar table, this “Muri makha” mix is almost a must-have. This mixture is created by adding puffed rice, chola bhuna (chickpeas curry), tomato, and several snacks together. In this mix, piyaju adds more flavor and texture and makes the whole thing more wholesome.
Besides iftar, we Bengalis love to eat piyaju as an evening snack too. You will also find it being sold on the streets and in small food stalls. While going through a destination, people often buy them and eat them as a quick delicious snack. However, the ones made at home are undoubtedly more fresh, healthy, and hygienic. And, if you know the right recipe, you can make them even more delicious than the ones you eat outside!
To summarize, piyaju is a versatile and delicious snack and an important part of Bangladeshi cuisine and culture. You should definitely try it this Ramadan to treat yourself and your family to some mouth-watering snacks for the iftar!
To help you with that, we have brought to you a perfect recipe for delicious piyaju. By following this recipe, we believe you will be satisfied with your cooking of this snack and cheer your family up during the iftar.
Ingredients
- 2 cups red lentil/ Masoor Daal
- 1/2 cup finely onion
- 3 pcs finely chopped Green Chili
- 1/2 tbsp ginger paste
- 1/2 tbsp garlic paste
- 1/2 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tbsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tbsp cumin powder
- 1/2 cup freshly chopped coriander leaves
- oil to fry
Instructions
- Wash and soak lentils in water for at least 1 hour. For best results, soak overnight.
- Grind the lentils coarsely using a blender or mortar and pestle.
- Move lentils to a large bowl, add onions, green chili, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Cumin powder, coriander leaves, and salt; then mix the mixture well with hand.
- Make small round shapes of the lentil mix. To ensure that the inside is cooked, make them a little flat.
- Take a deep pan and add oil to ¼ of the pan. Heat oil on medium-high flame until it is ready to deep fry the lentil mix.
- Drop the lentil mix into the oil one by one. Make sure to flip midway through cooking so that both sides fry equally. Once they turn golden brown, take them out of the oil and put them on a dish with a paper towel so the excess oil drains off from the Piyaju.
- Serve hot with puffed rice or a dipping sauce.
