Beans Luchi

Temperature here has shot up a bit turning the climate into more pleasant than I have seen in last two weeks. Finally, I can go out without suffocating myself under an inch thick layer of clothing. Right now the cold is soothing and beautiful, kind of reminding me of Kolkata winter when just a single woollen sweater suffices to keep your body warm. In Kolkata, winter was my favourite season, I so used to look forward to it. I have some beautiful memories connected with winter. One of the best memories was of my pet Bonnie jumping on my bed and snuggling with me on cold afternoons under the same blanket sharing the same pillow and, while he slept laying his head beside mine, his soft fur along the nape touching my face, the feeling was just magical. One should pet dogs to learn how to give affection. They are so loving, caring and affectionate that even without saying they do a lot of things touching your heart. 

Winter not only gives us a breath of fresh air from the constant humid and heat of Kolkata; it also brings joy to our palate when a lot of fresh winter vegetables including green peas, beans and cauliflower are aplenty in the market. Nowadays, however, due to improved cold storage system, almost all the vegetables are available round the year; but still the cauliflowers you get in summer don't stand in comparison with that of winter ones, the slimy bug that pops out at times while chopping the vegetable is proof enough of that. Fresh veggies make the air refreshing adding a healthy punch to your cuisines, preserved ones cannot beat that. 

Anyway, beans luchi is an innovative way to experience old luchis in a novel manner and is another way to make use of beans other than using them in salads or curries. They taste best with Peyazkoli Diye Aloor Torkari, though I believe they go well with anything.   

Ingredients:                                                 Cooking time: 20-30 minutes ü  2 cups of all-purpose flour ü  1 1/2 cups atta or whole wheat flour ü  1 cup of beans (roughly chopped) ü  A pinch of salt ü  A pinch of sugar ü  White oil for frying Method: 1) Boil the beans in microwave or stove top for sharp 10-15 minutes. Drain the water and grind the beans into paste. 2) Now first rub a pinch of salt and sugar and 1 tsp oil into the flour for 1 minute. This process helps luchi puff up. 3) Now add the beans paste, a little at a time and knead dough. Make small balls out of the dough and roll them out dredged in oil into circular discs of 3 inches in diameter. 4) Deep fry them in hot oil till they puff up. Serve hot with Peyazkoli Diye Aloor Torkari. They both get along like house on fire :)