This recipe was invented for a mystery box challenge in one of my favorite facebook groups, Traditional Goan Foodies! I managed to use 4 out of the 5 mystery ingredients in this recipe – green chilies, plantains, star anise and tamarind. I absolutely love plantains and they are so much healthier than potatoes. With Diwali around the corner ,where we Goans make different kinds of flat rice recipes, I thought why not substitute potatoes in botat fov with plantains. I must say, I love this version much better since I don’t like potatoes!

What you will need:

How to make it:

• In a bowl, wash and then soak the flat rice for 15 minutes.  Drain the water after 15 minutes.
• Add turmeric powder, salt, sugar and tamarind paste to the flat rice and set aside.
• In a vessel, heat oil. Once hot, add asafetida powder.
• Next, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
• Add curry leaves, chopped green chilies and chopped onions. Saute and cook till the onions begin to brown.
• In the mean time, peel and cut the plantains into small half inch pieces.
• Add these plantains along with a pinch of star anise powder (optional) to the vessel.
• Now add around 1 tablespoon of water, cover and cook the plantains.
• Once the plantains are cooked add the seasoned fov/ flat rice.
• Mix everything well and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously so that it does not stick to the bottom.
• Turn the flame off and garnish with chopped coriander.
• Enjoy hot with tea!