Sarson ka Saag Makki Di Roti with Jhatpat Mooli ka Achar

Sarson ka Saag Makki Di Roti with Jhatpat Mooli ka Achar 

Ingredients
1 bunch Green Mustard leaves chopped and cleaned
3 Tomatoes chopped
3 Green chillies
1 small Ginger piece
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
2 Pinch of Asafoetida
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Chilli powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Makka flour
2 tbsp Ghee

Method
Make tomato, ginger and green chillies paste.
Take a cooker and add the chopped leaves and add 1 cup of water and pressure cook it. After 2 whistles take it off the gas and let the pressure release.  Once  the leaves cool down, blend it in a blender into a fine paste. Take a wok, add 1 tbsp ghee, add the cumin seeds and asafoetida, let the cumin seeds crackle. Add the corn flour and roast it till light brown, add the tomato paste, turmeric and salt, saute and cook for 5 minutes. Add the mustard leaves paste and a cup of water.  Stir the gravy, After gravy comes to boil, simmer and  cook it on a low flame till it is in semi liquid form, add the rest of the ghee and serve hot with Makki Di roti and Jhatpat Mooli ki Achar..

P.S. 1/2 bunch of Spinach and 1/4 bunch of Dill  leaves can be added along with Mustard leaves while boiling. Chopped onion and 1/2 tsp chopped garlic also can be added while sauté.

Makki Di Roti

Ingredients
500 grams  Makka Flour
Salt to taste
Warm Water
Butter / Ghee

Method
Take Makka Flour in a vessel. Add salt and mix the flour. Knead dough just before preparing. Knead the flour with warm water. Heat the skillet.  Take a small portion of dough and knead it again with hands until soft. Take a portion of the dough and roll into a ball. Apply water on the palm and flatten the dough with palms and make circles round of 5-6” in diameter.
Place it on hot skillet,  turn when one side is done. When other side is also cooked, with the help of a tong cook directly on the flame,  turning around until both sides are done. Add ghee before serving.

Jhatpat Mooli ka Achar
Ingredients
3 Radish (Mooli)  washed and  cut in to big pieces
1/2 cup Radish leaves stem washed and  chopped
6 Green Chillies
1 small Garlic Pod cleaned
1/4 cup Vinegar
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Carom seeds
1 tbsp Feaugreek split dal
2 tbsp  Mustard split dal
2 tbsp Red Chilli powder
Sea Salt to taste
2 Pinch Asafoetida
1/4 cup Mustard oil

Method
Take a chopper, add the radish, radish stem, green chillies, garlic, vinegar, turmeric, carom seeds, Feaugreek dal, mustard dal, chilli powder and salt. Coarsely grind the ingredients together. Take a pan, heat oil, add the asafoetida. Add the ground ingredients in the oil, cook it till the water from the ingredients have dried up and only the oil should remain. This pickle can be had instantly after it cools down, store it in a dry glass bottle and refrigerate it. It remains till 3 months.

Stuffed Paneer Batura and Pickled Carrot

Stuffed Paneer Batura
Sita Ram Diwan Chand in Paharganj, is the place once long time back I had this Stuffed Paneer Batura; Chana and Carrot pickle with sliced onions. The shop I believe is since 1948. Suddenly the other day while surfing, one of the food channels on television was telecasting Delhi street food and this shop was shown. I with great interest started to watch as I had already been to the place. Then what... I want to make this.. I had the carrot pickle at home and here is the recipe..

For the Batura Dough
Ingredients
3 cups of All Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Curd
1 tbsp Sugar
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Oil

Method
Take the curd and mix sugar and salt. Add the curd in the flour, oil and add little water at a time as much required to make a soft dough. Cover and keep for 30 minutes

For the Paneer Stuffing
Ingredients
250 grams Paneer crumbs
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
1/4 tsp Pepper powder
1/4 tsp Chaat Masala
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Green Chilli minced
1 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped
1/2 tbsp Mint leaves chopped

Method
Mix all the above ingredients together.

To make the Batura
Divide the dough into equal big lemon size balls. Take one portion and fill in the suffering. Roll the dough and shallow fry it in oil. Serve it with Chana and Pickle  Carrot..

Pickled Carrot
Ingredients
2 Carrot cut into strips
Few Chillies slit
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds crushed

Method
Mix all the above ingredients and store in a glass bottle for 2 day and have it.

Shokhno Alur dom (Dry Alur Dom Bengali style)

Shokhno Alur dom (Dry Alur Dom Bengali style)
Ingredients
1/2 kg Small size whole Potatoes boiled and peeled
1 big size Tomato paste
1/2 tsp Ginger paste
1/4 tsp Chilli paste
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 Bay leaf
Salt to taste
1/2 Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Sugar
2 tbsp Mustard Oil
1/4 tsp Ghee for garnishing
1 tsp Bhaja masala ( coriander seeds, pepper, cumin seeds, red chillies - all roasted and powdered)

Method
Take oil in a pan and heat it well. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Add potatoes and stir it well for 2 minutes. Now add  chilli paste, ginger paste and tomatoes and saute it. Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt and sugar. Mix and stir well on a slow flame for some time.. Add 1/4 cup water and cover the pan for 2 minutes and stir the potatoes well till the potatoes mixes well with the gravy. Sprinkle ghee and bhaja masala on top. Serve hot.

Moong Dal and Dill Leaves Bhaji

Moong Dal and Dill Leaves Bhaji
Very simple and rustic, it taste awesome.. Once you acquire the taste for dill leaves, how ever it is cooked, it taste simply awesome....
Ingredients
1 bunch Dill leaves chopped
1/2 cup small Size Moong dal soaked for an hour
10 Garlic cloves minced
2 fresh Chillies minced
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp a Turmeric powder
1/2 tbsp Oil

Method
Thane a wok, add oil. Let it heat, add the garlic and chilli minced. Stir fry for a minute. Add the chopped dill leaves, salt and turmeric. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring it occasionally. Add the Moong dal and 1/4 cup water, stir it, cover and cook till the water dry up completely. Serve hot with rice or chapati.

Khatte Baingan

Khatte Baingan
Khatte Baingan Masala Powder
Ingredients
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Coriander seeds
1/2 tsp Fennel seeds
1 inch Cinnamon stick
3 Green Cardamom
2 Cloves
2 Kashmiri Red Chillies
1 small piece of Dry Ginger

Method
Add all the ingredients in the grinder and grind it into a powder.

Khatte Baingan
Ingredients
1/2 kg medium size long  Brinjals cut into half
2 Onions sliced
1 Tomato sliced
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
2 Pinch of Asafoetida
1/4 tsp Fennel seeds
2 tbsp Khatte Baingan Masala Powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp of Lime Juice
2 tbsp Mustard  Oil
Few Coriander Leaves to Garnish

Method
In a wok, add mustard oil, let it heat. Add fennel seeds, asafoetida, onions and brinjals. Fry it till the onions and brinjals are light brown in colour. Add the Khatte Baingan Masala Powder, salt to taste and turmeric powder. Stir the spice powder into the brinjals. Add 1/4 cup water and tomato. Cover and cook, stirring it occasionally till the brinjals are tender. Sprinkle some coriander leaves and lime juice.

Sukhi Aloo Bhaji

Sukhi Aloo Bhaji
Ingredients
2 big Potatoes dice
2 Green chillies slit
Few Curry leaves
Pinch of Asafoetida
1/4 tsp split Bengal gram (Chana Dal)
1/4 tsp split Black lentil  (Urid Dal)
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Ghee
Few Coriander leaves chopped

Method
Boil the potatoes.  Take a wok. Add ghee. Heat it. Add the Urid dal and chana dal. Sauté it for 30 seconds. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let the mustard seeds crackle. Add the chilli and curry leaves. Add the boiled potatoes and salt. Stir it and let it cook for 2 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Mochar Ghonto

Mochar Ghonto   
"Mochar Ghonto" is a Bengali dish made from the banana flowers.

Ingredients
1 Banana Flower                                             
1 Potato cut into medium size cubes
1 Green Chilli slit
1/2 tsp Ginger paste
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala powder
1/4 tsp Sugar
Salt to taste
2 tbsp  Grated coconut         
1 tbsp Ghee
1/4 cup Fried Moong dal Boris or fresh Moong dal bora ( soak the moong dal for 30 minutes, drain the water out, grind the moong dal with salt, nigella seeds and green chillies. Take 1/2 tsp of the paste and drop it in hot oil and the boras are ready)

Method
To clean the banana flower; Rub little cooking oil in the finger and palm to avoid the dark stains. After peeling  of the purple leaf, there are yellow coloured blossoms underneath. Separate the blossoms from the purple leaf and collect the blodsoms and discard the purple leaves. After removing the layers of purple leaves, there will be a stage where the leaves  are light yellow in colour and it can’t be peeled.
Finely chop that Conical portion and keep it in bowl of water. To clean the Blossoms, you need to clean each of them one by one.Remove the transparent casing and the stick like stigma from each flower. Boil the chopped conical portion and the flowers in salt water till tender. Discard the water and mash it. Heat ghee in a pan, add the cumin seeds and bay leaves and green chilli. Once the seeds start to splutter, add the ginger paste. Saute it for few seconds and add the potatoes; stir fry the potatoes for 2 minutes and add the  mashed banana flower. Add turmeric powder, salt, sugar and cumin powder.  Stir it and cover the pan with a lid, and  cook on a slow flame stirring it occasionally.  Cook it till all the  have incorporated well. Add the boras or boris. Cook for few minutes more. Add the grated coconut. Finally, add the garam masala mix and add 1/4 tsp ghee from top. Serve with hot rice.

Southekayi Palya (Madras Cucumber Stir Fry)

Southekayi Palya (Madras Cucumber Stir Fry)

Ingredients

1 Medium Sized Madras Cucumber cut into small cubes

4 Green Chillies Slit

Few Curry Leaves

1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds

1/4 tsp Bengal gram dal (Chana dal)

1/4 tsp Split Black Dal (Urid dal)

1/2 Turmeric Powder

1/2 Coriander Powder 

1/4 Jaggary 

Salt to taste 

2 tsp Coconut oil 

1 tbsp Grated Coconut 

Method

Take a big wok and add the oil, add Mustard Seeds,cumin seeds, urid dal and chana dal, let the mustard seeds crackle. Add green chillies and curry leaves and sauté for 30 seconds. Add Madras cucumber, turmeric powder, coriander powder, Jaggary and salt, sprinkle some water, stir the vegetable. Cover the lid and cook, stirring it occasionally.Turn of the heat when all the water is evaporated and  cucumber becomes tender. Sprinkle grated coconut. Serve it with hot rice.

Kumro Aloor Chechki ar Trikona Porotha Pumpkin and Potatao Stir fry with Triangle Paratha

Kumro Aloor Chechki ar Trikona Porotha
Pumpkin and Potatao Stir fry with Triangle Paratha 

Chechki in Bengali is stir frying of vegetables which is had with Luchi
(Puri), Paratha or Rice. There are many types of vegetables used to make  chechkis... Like Kumro Aloo, Patol (Pointed Gourd) Aloo, Pholkopi Aloo or Aloo which are had mostly with Luchis and Paratha for breakfast or dinner. Muloor (Radish) Chechki, Badakopir (Cabbage) Chechki or Kacha Peper (Raw Papaya) Chechki is made differently and usually is served for lunch with rice.

Kumro Aloor Chechki
Ingredients
2 cups of Pumpkin with skin cut lengthwise into thin strips
3 medium size Potatoes peeled and cut lengthwise into thin strips as Pumpkin
3 Green Chillies Slit
1/2 tsp Nigella Seeds
1/4 tsp  Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Mustard oil

Method
Heat mustard oil in a wok. Add the chillies and the Nigella seeds, let it crackle. Add the potatoes, stir fry it for 2 minutes on a medium high flame. Add the pumpkins, salt and turmeric powder. Stir fry it for 3 minutes. Sprinkle little water once or twice in between the cooking, cover and cook stirring it occasionally till vegetables are tender. Serve with hot Paratha or Luchi

Trikona Paratha
Parathas are made from All Purpose flour and fried in ghee or oil.
Ingredients
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
Salt to taste
4 tbsp of Melted Ghee

Method
In a mixing bowl, add All purpose flour, wheat flour and salt. Mix it. Add 1/2 tbsp ghee. Mix it, add water as per required to knead a semi soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. Cover and keep for 30 minutes. Divide the dough in to lemon size equal portions. Take a portion roll the dough. Brush little ghee. Fold it into half. Again brush little ghee, fold it into a triangle. Sprinkle little flour and roll the dough out into a big triangle. Take  skillet, let it heat. Add the rolled triangle. Cook it from both the sides for a minute each. Brush ghee on both the sides, and cook till brown.

Dal Bati Churma

Dal Bati Churma
It is a famous dish / delicacy of Rajasthan. This dish is cooked in all occasion. It consists of baatis that is round breads baked over firewood or oven and dipped in ghee. The dal is slow cooked in a pot and seasoning is added,  Churma made from unsalted dough,  into round balls and fried in ghee. These  fried baatis are crushed and sugar or jaggery is mixed into it.

I have baked the Batis in oven and Dal in pressure cooker with less use of ghee. Even the Churma is baked in oven.

For the Panchmel Dal
Ingredients
2 tbsp Split Bengal Grams (Chana Dal)
2 tbsp Yellow Split Dal (Tuvar Dal)
2 tbsp  Split Green Gram (Moong Dal)
2 tbsp Split black Dal (Urid Dal)
2 tbsp Pink lentils (Massor Dal)
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/4 tsp Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder
1/2 tsp Dry Mango powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
2 Bay leaves
2 Cloves
1 small Cinnamon stick
1 Red dry Chilli
2 Pinch of Asafoetida
1 Green Chilli slit
1/4 tsp Ginger grated
1/2 tbsp Ghee

Method
Clean and wash the dals, soak it for 30 minutes. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook it. Give 3 to 4 whistles. Once the pressure releases, open the cooker. Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, dry mango powder, 1/4 tbsp ghee, ginger and green chilli in the dal. Mix it. Add the water if required. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.  Heat rest of the ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, red chilli, let the cumin seed crackle. Add asafoetida and red chilli powder. Add 1 tbsp of water in the seasoning to avoid burning of chilli powder, cook for few seconds. Add the seasoning in the dal. Simmer for 2 minute more. Serve with the Batis.

For the Bati
Ingredients
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup Semolina
1 tbsp Bengal Gram Flour
1/4 tsp Carom seeds
1/2 cup Milk
Pinch of Baking Powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tbsp  + 1/2 tbsp Melted Ghee

Method
In a mixing bowl, Mix all the dry ingredients and mix it. Add 1/2 tbsp of ghee, rub the flour with the help of the Palm. Add milk, and water if required little at a time. Knead it into a firm dough. Knead well for 5 minutes. Divide the dough into equal portions and shape each portion into an even sized round balls. Flatten the rounds lightly using your thumb to make an indentation in the centre of the ball. Arrange the baatis on a baking tray. Brush ghee on the Batis. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees Celcius for 40 minutes turning it over occasionally. Brush ghee on the Batis break each baati into pieces and pour hot panchmel dal over the baatis.

For the Churma
Ingredients
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 tbsp Fine Samolina
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp Powder sugar or more as required for sweetness
2 pinch Cardamon powder
1 tsp Almond Flakes
1/4 or more Milk
1/4 tbsp + 1 tsp Melted Ghee

Method
In a mixing bowl, mix whole wheat flour, Simolina and salt. Add 1/4 tbsp ghee, mix it. Add milk little at a time and make a firm dough. Knead it for 5 minutes. Make equal portion of the dough, brush the churmas with ghee, bake it at 180 degrees Celcius for 40 minutes turning it occasionally till brown on both the sides.  Cool the churmas, blend the churmas in a blender, add powder sugar, Cardomom powder and the remaining ghee and mix it. Add the almond flakes for garnishing.
P.S. I have baked the Churmas along with the Batis...
Please use melted ghee according to the measurement to reduce the quantity of ghee used while brushing.

Saffron Mix Vegetable Quaker Oats Palau

Saffron Mix Vegetable Quaker Oats Palau
INgredients
2 cups Quaker Oats
2 florets of Cauliflower
4 French Beans
1/2 Carrot
1 small Piece of Ginger
1 Green chilli chopped
2 tbsp Boiled Corn
Few stands of Saffron (kesar)
Salt   to taste
1/4 tsp Garam masala powder  
1/4 tsp Cumin powder
1/4 tsp Fennel powder
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
2 Bay Leaf
2 Peppercorn
1 Cardomom
1 small piece Cinnamon
2 Cloves
1 tbsp Broken Cashewnuts
1/2 tbsp Raisins
2 tbsp Curd beaten
1/4 cup Milk
1 tbsp Ghee
Few drops of Rose essence
Few Rose petals and Almond flakes for garnishing

Method
Take a chopper and add ginger, chilli, carrot, French beans and cauliflower. Finely chop the vegetables. Take hot milk, add the saffron, Rose essence and 1/2 tbsp ghee in the milk. Keep it aside. Take a wok, add remaining ghee. Add bayleaf and  cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle. Add peppercorn, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Stir it for 30 seconds. Add the vegetables, sauté it for 2 minutes on medium flame, add cumin powder, fennel powder, salt, garam masala powder, raisins and Cashewnuts. Stir it and add the curd. Stir it again and add 1/2 cup water.
Cover and half cook the vegetables. Add the Quaker oats and stir quickly Sprinkle water and keep stirring on low flame. The oats should be moist. Pour in the saffron milk and stir. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Garnish it with rose petals and almond flakes. Serve hot.

Masala Bhindi or Mirchi (Okra and thick Green Chilli pepper cooked in spicy gravy)

Masala Bhindi or Mirchi (Okra and thick Green Chilli pepper  cooked in spicy gravy)
Ingredients
500 grams Okra washed, dried and cut into half horizontally and vertically
200 grams thick Green Chilli pepper cut into half. Lengthwise
1 Tomato cut into cubes
1 Onion cut into cubes
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Garam masala
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tbsp Oil

For the paste
2 tbsp Roasted desiccated  Coconut
1 Onion chopped
1 Tomato chopped
5 Garlic cloves
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Coriander leaves
2 Dry Chillies
1 green chilli
1/2 tsp Oil

Method
Take oil industry a pan, add all the Ingredients for the paste and fry it for 2 minutes. Cool it and grind it into paste. Take a pan, add oil. Heat it. Add mustard seeds, let it crackle. Add the okras, chillies, cubed tomato and onion. Cover, stir periodically and cook for 3 minutes. Add the salt, garam masala and turmeric powder. Stir again for 2 minutes. Add the paste, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add little water at a time, cover and cook till the okras are cooked. Serve hot.

Bengali Thali

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is one of the most important  Hindu  festivals. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit. Dasha-hara literally means Dashanan ravan (the name of Ravan and in short  Dasha  and  Hara  (defeat) referring to Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. The name Dussehra is also derived from  Sanskrit Ahaha, which means day. For example, Aharnisha is derived from Ahaha+nisha. The Goddess fought with evils for nine nights and ten days. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami", literally meaning the victory on the dashami (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month). Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra.
Information Net source....

People celebrate Dasara with good food and sweets. In Bengal Mutton is cooked on this day. 

Dasara lunch
From below Left to Right
Korola Begun Bhaja (Bitter Gourd and Brinjal fry)
Kocho Chingri Bhaja (Small shrimps Fried with Onions)
Shokto (Mix Vegetable gravy)
Mangshor Jhol (Mutton Gravy)
Misthi Doi (Sweet Curd )
Malai Chamcham
Sandesh
Kher Kadam
Aam Chutney
Pan
Sweets are from Sweet Bengal..

Korola Begun Bhaja (Bitter Gourd and Brinjal fry)
Ingredients
2 Bitter Gourd cut into small pieces
2 Brinjals cut into cubes
1 Green Chillies slit
1 Red Dry Chilli
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Mustard oil

Method
Take a wok. Add oil and heat it. Add red chilli. Sauté for 30 seconds. Add the bitter gourd and stir and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the brinjals, chillies, turmeric powder and salt. Stir occasionally and cook till the bitter gourd and brinjals have cooked.

 

Kocho Chingri Bhaja (Small Shrimps Fried with Onions)
Ingredients
1 cup small Shrimps cleaned
2 Onions sliced
1 Tomato cut into to strips
2 Green Chillies slit
6 Garlic cloves whole
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp Mustard oil
Few Coriander leaves chopped

Method
Take a pan. Add oil. Heat it. Add the onions, garlic and chillies.  Fry the onions till brown in colour. Add the shrimps, tomato, salt and turmeric powder. Sauté on medium flame till the shrimps are stirred fried. Garnish with coriander leaves.

 

Shokto (Mix Vegetable gravy)
Ingredients
Mix Vegetables
02 medium sized  Potato cut into 4 pieces length wise
2 medium sized  Brinjals cut into 4 pieces lengthwise
1 Drumstick cut into pieces
1/2 Radish cut into pieces length wise
4 to 5 Flat green Beans cut into 2 pieces
1 small Bitter Gourd  cut into pieces fried
1 tsp Ginger Paste
Few piece of Boris fried
1/4 tsp Panch Paran roasted and ground
1/4 tsp Panch Paran
1 Bay leaf
1 Red Dry Chilli
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1/4 tsp Poppy seeds
1/2 tsp Celery seeds
4 tbsp Milk
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Oil
1/2 tsp Ghee

Method 

Take 1/2 tsp oil, add bayleaf, Panch Phoran and red chilli. Sauté it for 1 minute. Add ginger and saute it for few seconds. Add the vegetables. Sauté it for 4 to 5 minutes. Add water, stir and let it simmer till the vegetables have cooked. Add salt. In a blender add milk, mustard seeds, poppy seeds and celery seeds. Make a paste out of it. Add the paste to the gravy, add fried bitter gourd and the boris. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Add ghee and sprinkle roasted Panch Phoran roasted powder. 

Mangshor Jhol (Mutton Gravy)

Ingredients 

1 kg Mutton pieces

2 Potaoes cut into big cubes 

2 Bay leaves 

2 tbsp Mustard Oil 

1/2 tsp Ghee 

1/4 tsp Garam Masala 

For the paste grind all the below ingredients 

2 Tomato chopped

2 Onion chopped

3 to 4 Green chillies

1 small piece of Ginger

4 to 5 Garlic cloves

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

Salt to taste 

1 tsp Cumin seeds

1 tsp Coriander seeds

2 Red Dry Chilli 

2 Cloves

1 small stick Cinnamon 

2 Green Cardomom 

Method

Marinate the mutton with the paste for 2 hours. 

Take a pressure cooker. Add Mustard oil. Heat it, add the potatoes and fry it. Remove and keep the potatoes aside. Add the marinated mutton. Stir and cook for 10 minutes on medium flame. Once the marinated juices reduces add  4 cups of water or more as required and add the potatoes. Cover and give 3 whistles or cook till the mutton has cooked. Add ghee and sprinkle garam masala powder. Serve hot. 

Panta Bhat served with Ilish Mach Bhaja, Murgir Bharta, Aloo Bhaja, DalBhate & Aam Tel

Panta Bhat 

Panta bhat known in Bengal or Poitabhat in Assam is a rice-based dish. It is prepared by soaking left over rice in water overnight. Traditionally served in the morning with salt, onion and chilli.It is traditionally considered as beneficial in feverish conditions.It is consumed in Bangladesh and the eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Assam. Panta bhat is especially popular in rural areas and amongst the poorer community. It is a popular dish on the day of Bengali new year. It is often served with fried fish or vegetable curry. Panta bhat or poita bhat is often garnished with Mustard oil, Onion, Chilli, Pickle, and served with Shutki mach (dried fish), Machher jhol(fish curry), especially Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa cooked with mustard), Aloo bhorta or Aloo pitika (mashed potato), Begun bhorta (mashed brinjal) and other Bhorta or pitika (mashed food). A similar dish consumed in the Indian states of Orissa and Chhattisgarh is known as Pakhal, Pokhalo, Pakhala or Pakhal Bhat. It differs from Panta bhat in seasoning as yoghurt is sometimes added prior to the fermentation process. This cold and wet food, is suitable for summer mornings, but in winter dry foods, such as Chira (flattened rice) and Muri (puffed rice) are more preferred.
It has been described in documents from 17th century.During the Mughal Era, members of socio-cultural organizations performed open air concerts, the audience listening to the concert preferred eating traditional food, particularly Panta bhat. Friar Sebastian Manrique a Portuguese Catholic priest of the Augustinian Order reported from his visit of Bengal in 17th century that the people of all communities, according to Manrique, were contented then with the daily meal of rice, often panta bhat, salt and green vegetable (shak). The better-off elements of the society consumed gh, butter, milk and sweetmeats.
In Bangladesh, it is a part of the Pohela Boishakh (Bengali new year festival) festivities. On that day it is consumed as breakfast by urban people. Panta is also served at high-end eateries in Bangladesh and West Bengal. Among Hindu Bengalis, it is consumed during the Ranna-Puja (Bengali cooking festival). In Assam, offering Dudh Panta(milk with stale water-soaked rice) is a part of the marital ritual. In Northeast India, there is a belief that taking painta or panta bhat gives the strength of a tiger.
Panta Ilish - a traditional platter of Panta bhat with fried Ilish slice, supplemented with dried fish (Shutki), pickles (Achar), dal bhate, green chillies and onion - is a popular serving for the Pohela Boishakh festival.
Information from the Net...

My Panta Bhat platter consist of
Ilish Mach Bhaja (Hilsa Fry)
Murgir Bharta (Chicken Bharta)
Aloo Bhaja (Potato Fry)
Dal Bhate (Mashed Dal)
Aam Tel (Mango Pickle)
Sliced Onions
Green chillies
Kagaji Lebu

PantaBhat
Ingredients
Leftover Rice
Water
Salt to taste
Drizzle of Mustard Oil

Method
Take a earthen pot or any vessel. Add the rice and water. Cover with a thin cloth and leave it over night to ferment. While serving add salt and drizzle with mustard oil.

Ilish Mach Bhaja (Hilsa Fry)
Ingredients
2 Pieces of Hilsa
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
Mustard Oil to fry

Method
Marinate the fish with salt and turmeric powder. Let it rest for 15 minutes. Heat the mustard oil till smoking point, reduce the flame and fry the fish till brown on both the sides.

Murgir Bharta (Chicken Bharta)
Ingredients
1/2 cup fine Chicken minced
1 big size Onion sliced
2 to 4 Green chillies minced
4 to 5 Garlic cloves minced
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Mustard Oil

Method
Take a wok, add oil, heat it. Add the onion slices, garlic and green chillies. Sauté the onion till translucent. Add the chicken minced, salt and turmeric powder. Sauté and stir the chicken occasionally. Cook till the chicken is done.

Aloo Bhaja (Potato Fry)
Ingredients
2 Potatoes cut into small strips
1 big size Onion sliced
2 to 4 Green chillies slit
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
2 to 3 tbsp Mustard Oil

Method
Take a wok, add oil, heat it. Add the onion slices and green chillies. Sauté the onion till translucent. Add the potatoes, salt and turmeric powder. Sauté and stir the potatoes occasionally. Cook on medium high flame till the potatoes are done.

Dal Bhate
Ingredients
1/2 cup Massor dal
1 Green Chilli chopped
1/2 Onion sliced
Salt to taste
Few drops of mustard oil

Method
Wash and boil the dal with very less water. Once the dal is boiled and if any water remains then drain the water and boil till all the water dries up, take it off the gas. Add onions, green chilli, salt and mustard oil. Make it into a ball.

Aam Tel
This is a mango and spiced flavoured oil, that is used in Bengali Cuisine. This oil is used for mashes vegetables that we call bhate or used to flavour puffed rice that is eaten for snack.

Ingredients for the Powder Masala
1 tsp Panch Phoran
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Coriander seeds
2 Red Dry Chilli

Method
Roast all the ingredients together and let it cool, dry grind the ingredients into powder.

Ingredients for Aam Tel
1 medium size Raw Mango washed, dried and cut into medium size cubes.
1/2 tsp Panch Phoran Roasted
4 Whole Red Dry Chilli Roasted
Dry spice powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 cup Mustard oil, heated and cooled down

Method
Take the mango pieces, add turmeric and 1 tsp salt, rub the mangoes well, spread the mango pieces on a clean cloth and dry it for 2 to 4 hours under the sun. Take all the ingredients and the mango pieces in a bottle. Keep it in the sun for few day. It’s ready to be used.

   

Dahi Wala Bhindi Curry Healthy and Easy Okra in Curd Curry with very less oil.

Dahi Wala Bhindi Curry
Healthy and Easy  Okra in Curd Curry with very less oil.
Ingredients
1/2 Kg Okra cut into half
1 cup Curd
1 piece of Ginger
4 Green chillies slit
2 tbsp Gram Flour
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Garam masala powder
Pinch of Asafoetida
Rock Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
1/4 tsp Coriander seeds
Few Curry Leaves
1 tsp Oil
Few coriander leaves chopped

Method
Take 1/2 tsp oil in a wok. Heat it, add the Okras and stir it. Sprinkle some salt. On high heat stir the Okras. Let it cook till it changes its colour. Take the Okras  out from the wok and keep it aside. 
Blend curd, salt, ginger, 2 green chilies, gram flour, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and garam masala powder in a blender. In the same wok, add the remaining oil. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let it crackle. Add curry leaves, 2 chillies and asafoetida. Sauté for 30 seconds. Lower the heat. Add the curd masala. Keep stirring as the gram flour will start to form lumps. Add 4 cup of water. Stir and let it simmer on low heat. After 3 minutes, add the okra. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes or till the rawness of the gram flour disappears. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Durga Utsab and Feasting..... Vegetarian Platter

Durga Utsab and Feasting..... Vegetarian Platter 

Durga Puja (Worship of Goddess Durga ) also called Durgotsab. It is a popular festival of Bengal. It is celebrated in the eastern region of India and now celebrated world wide. The main days of Durga puja according to the traditional Hindu Calander are Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami which is within the 9 nights and 10 days of Navaratri.The word Navaratri means nine nights in Sanskrit, Nava meaning nine and Ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is Vijayadashami or Dussehra. This fortnight is called Devi Pokkho (Fortnight of the Goddess). The fortnight ends on Kojagori Laxmi Puja “Worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagori Full Moon Night.

           Apart from the magnificent Puja Pandal set up, the sound of the Dhak (sound of the drums played during the Arati) and Dhunachi Nach (one of the form of Arti, dancing with the incense burner) and dressing, feasting is an important part... After the Debi Puja is the Pet Puja... Mornings people go to the Pandals to give Pushpanjali (Flower offering to the Goddess) on an empty stomach.Thereafter begins the feasting of the day. The food stalls in the pandals are open from morning selling, Vegetable Chop, Muchar Chop, Luchi and Dal Puri with Aloor Tarkari, and some of the sweet dishes like Rasgullas, Kalojam, Mihidanar Laddu, Pantua, Rajbhog etc. Afternoons lunch is usually the Bhog Prasad (Food offering to the Goddess and distributed amongst the people). It consist of Khichudi, Labra, Begun Bhaja, Chutney, Payesh and a Sweet dish. Nights are the visits to different Pandals and celebrating with friends and family. Enjoying the Pandals, Adda (is a form of intellectual exchange among members, who were originally of the same socio-economic strata)and Food. Mughlai Paratha, Chop, Ghugni, Jhal Muri, Phuchka, Luchi Aloor dum, Ilish Mach Bhat, Mutton Biriyani and off course no celebration ends with out sweets. The last day of the festival Vijaya Dashami is celebrated with Shindur Khala (For Bengali women, this last ritual — Sindoor Khela or Sindoor Utsav — holds much significance. The sindoor is a symbol of married life.It is first apply on the idol of Goddess Durga and then on other women while wishing them a happy married life and good luck. The origins believe that the goddess is heading for her in-laws’house. So,a royal treatment is given to Her.)There after immersion takes place and the Vijaya Dashami is concluded with KolaKoli. Greeting and respect to elders and love to young ones in the family and feasting on good food. Mutton Curry and Rice or Palau is made on that day with varieties of Sweets.

I have made some of the pure vegetarian dishes with out onions and garlic for the Durga Puja celebration at home. This dishes are different from the traditional dish prepared during the festival.
From left to Right...
Saag Bhaja usually spinach leaves are stirred fried with salt and turmeric powder. I have fried Dill leaves.
Muger Dal Bata
Kasundi diye Pholkopir Roast
Gandharaj Lebu ar Dhonepata diye Chana
Curd
Kacha Kolar Bora (Raw Banana Kofta)
Pineapple and Khejurgurer (Date Jaggary) Baked Sandesh

Muger Dal Bata (Mung Dal Paste)
For the Paste
1/4 Cup Coconut grated
1 tbsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tbsp Poppy seeds
1 Or 2 Green Chiilies
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Mustard Oil
Method
Blend all the above ingredients into a thick paste. Keep it aside for 15 minutes.

For the Muger Dal
Ingredients
1 Cup Moong Dal
Paste
1 Or 2 Chilli Chopped
Salt to taste
Few Coriander leaves Chopped
1/4 tsp Mustard Oil

Method
Soak the dal for 15 minutes. Remove the water from the dal.  Grind the dal into a coarse  paste, while grinding avoid adding water. Take a Malmal cloth, add the dal paste on the Malmal cloth, tie the cloth tightly, steam the dal till cooked. Once cooled, take the dal out of the cloth in a mixing bowl, add the chopped chillies, paste, salt to taste, mustard oil and few chopped coriander leaves. Mix it well. For garnishing add few drops of Mustard oil and chopped coriander leaves.

Kasundi diye Pholkopir Roast (Cauliflower roasted in Kasundi)

For the Kasundi
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 small Raw Green Mango pieces
3 Green chillies
3 Garlic cloves (optional)
1tbsp Black Mustard seeds
1tbsp Yellow Mustard seeds
Rock Salt to taste
Pinch of Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp of Mustard Oil

Method
Blend all the ingredients in a blender except for the mustard oil into a paste. Add little water to get a thick paste and blend it again. Now add mustard oil little at a time while blending. Store it into a glass bottle in the fridge. Let it stand for a day.

For the Cauliflower Roast
Ingredients
1 big Cauliflower cut into medium size florets
1 big Tomato cut into pieces
2 Capsicum cut into medium pieces
1/4 tsp Ginger paste
1/4 tsp Chilli paste
2 tbsp Curd
2 to 3 tbsp Kasundi
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Cumin seed powder
1 tbsp Mustard Oil
Few Coriander Leaves chopped

Method
Boil the Cauliflower florets and in 2 cups of water, adding salt to the water for 5 minutes. Drain the water out. In a mixing bowl add the ginger paste, chilli paste, curd, salt to taste, oil, turmeric powder and cumin seed powder and mix it. Add the cauliflower florets, capsicum and tomato pieces in the paste, mix it well and add the vegetables a glass baking tray, roast the vegetables for 45 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius in a pre heated oven. In between at a interval of 15 minutes, take the baking tray out of the oven and stir the vegetables. After the vegetables are cooked, take it out of the oven and garnish it with coriander leaves.

Gandharaj Lebu ar Dhonepata diye Chana (Cottage Cheese with Gandharaj lemon and Coriander leaves )

For the Paste
Ingredients
1/2 tsp Mustard Oil
1 Cup Coriander Leaves
1 or 2 Green Chillies
1 small piece of Ginger
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
2 Dates Or 1/2 tsp Sugar
1/2 tspTurmeric powder
1 Gandharaj Lemon Juice

Method
Before taking out the Juice of the Gandharaj lemon, remove the zest of the lemon. Blend all the above ingredients in a blender into a paste.

For the Cottage Cheese preparation
Ingredients
500 grams Cottage Cheese cut into pieces
1 Tomato cut into strip
2 Green Or Red Chilli slit
Coriander paste
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Mustard Oil
For Garnishing
Few Coriander leaves chopped
Zest of Gandharaj  Lemon

Method
Take a wok, add oil. Let it heat. Add the tomatoes and the chillies. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Add the paste, stir and simmer for 2 minutes, add the Cottage cheese cubes and the salt, stir and cook for another 2 minutes, add 1/4 cup water and salt. Stir, cover and let it simmer till the gravy has incorporated well with the Cottage Cheese. Before serving, garnish with coriander leaves, lemon zest and few drops of Mustard Oil.

Pineapple and Khejurgurer (Date Jaggary) Baked Sandesh
Ingredients
1 cup Cottage Cheese
1/4 cup grated Khajurgur ( Date Jaggary)
2 tbsp Pineapple paste or chopped finely

Method
Take a mixing bowl, mix the cottage cheese and the Jaggary well. Take a pan, add the cottage cheese mix with the Jaggary. On low flame cook the mixture well, add the pineapple paste, mix it well. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes till the ingredients has incoperated well. Take a small lose base tart tins.  Add the Sandesh mixture in the tins. Bake the Sandesh at 180 degrees for 25 minutes in a preheated oven till the top has  browned.

Healthy Germinated Whole Moong Stir Fry

Healthy Germinated Whole Moong Stir Fry
Ingredients
Germinated Moong
1 Onion chopped
1 Tomato chopped
1 Fresh Chilli broken into half
4 Garlic cloves chopped
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
Few Curry leaves
1/4 tsp Tumeric powder
1/4  tsp Cumim powder
1/4 Coriander powder
1/4 Garam Masala powder
1 tsp Lime juice
Few Coriander leaves chopped
1/4 tsp Oil

Method
Take a pan. Add oil, let it heat. Add The mustard seeds, let it crackle, add the curry leaves , garlic, chilli and onion. Stir it for 2 minutes. Add the germinated moong. Stir fry, add the tomato, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt and garam masala powder. Stir for 4 minutes. Add lime juice and coriander leaves. Have it as you want.. Mix it with puff rice and chutney or have it with chapati or make a salad with it add chopped cucumber, pomegranate, any tangy fruits or sandwiches.

For the Germination
Ingredients
1/2 cup Whole Moong

Method
Take the whole moong, wash and soak it water. Change water in between the day on the 1st day. Next day that is 2nd day, take a colander and place a dip vessel underneath the the colander. Place a damp malmal cloth on the tray. Wash the moong and change water. Spread the soaked moong on the cloth. Cover the moong with the damp cloth from top. On the 3rd day sprinkle a glass of water on the the moong and cover it back with the damp. In between leave it open for the sunlight for some time.  On the 4 th day sprinkle water and cover with a damp cloth, leaving it open for some time for the sunlight. On the 5 th day small leaves will appear. At this stage it can be used for cooking.

Healthy Thalipeeth and Lal Mirchi Cha Thecha Healthy Treat for yourTastebuds and Soul

Healthy Thalipeeth with Lal Michi Cha Thecha

This Thalipeeth was made by Musi( Aunty) who stays with us. She took care of my mother and now takes care of my Mother in Law. Some how after my mother's death she gave me immense support. I believe she is next to my Ma. Today she made this Healthy Thalipeeth for me. Using curd instead of oil and water while flattening the dough was her idea. 

Thalipeeth is a traditional Maharashtrian dish. This dish is made with Jowari, Bajri and some veggies add to the flour... A healthy dish indeed... 

Healthy Thalipeeth

Ingredients

1 cup Jowari

1 cup Bajri

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 finely chopped Onion

1/2 cup Spinach chopped

1 medium size Carrot grated

1 cup grated Bottle Gourd

2 finely  Green Chillies chopped 

2 tbsp  Coriander leaves finely chopped 

Rock Salt to taste

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

1 tsp Coriander seed powder

1 tsp Cumin seed powder

1/2 tsp Garam masala powder

1/2 tsp Chilli powder

1 cup Curd or more

Oil spray

Method

Take a mixing bowl. Add all the flours, chopped vegetables and spices. Add curd and make a soft dough.

 Take a plastic sheet. Add 1/4 tsp of curd on the plastic sheet and spread it. 

Take a portion of the dough, make a round ball. Put the dough ball on the plastic sheet.

 Add 1/4 tsp curd on the dough.

  Flatten the dough very gently by pressing it from all the sides. 

Heat the pan. Spray oil on the pan. Slowly left up the rolled  dough along with the plastic sheet with one hand and turn the plastic sheet along with the rolled dough on the other hand. Pick the plastic sheet gently. 

Put the rolled dough on the pan. 

 Spray oil and cook from both the sides. 

Serve it with Red Mirchi Cha Thecha. 

Red Mirchi Cha Thecha

Ingredients

8 to 10 Red Chillies

1 small Onion cut into 4 pieces

8 to 10 Garlic cloves

Rock Salt to taste 

Method 

Take all the ingredients and grind it coarsely. 

P.S. I have not fried the ingredients before grinding due to dieting.