BHUNA KHICHURI O ALOOR KOSHA DOM

Bhuna Khichuri is a richer version of our very own khichuri or khichdi. Khichdi / khichuri is cooked and served in so many ways in our subcontinent, but the main ingredients remain the same..... Rice and Lentil; at times with assorted vegetables and mild spices. You can have it any day at any meal. Whenever you are not in the mood to spend much time in the kitchen, Khichdi comes as a rescue. Rain and khichuri has a strong connection among the Bengalis. Rainy day means a khichuri day for us. I remember our grandfather asking our mother to prepare khichuri whenever it rained. So this kind of posts are pretty nostalgic and I feel they should be made a part of my blog.

Bengalis love to have it on a rainy day accompanied by Hilsa(fish) fry / fried eggplant / egg omelettes / fried potato / fried pointed gourd. Bhuna Khichuri is a bit drier than the regular khichdi which I love to serve with Dum Aloo. Actually Bhuna Khichuri is done as a part of the main "bhog" during the Durga Pooja; as an offering or naivedyam to the Goddess. It is made flavourful with use of whole garam masalas and ghee / clarified butter garnished with cashew nuts. Come let us prepare the combo meal together.

I specially remember the taste of the Bhuna Khichuri that used to be cooked for Maa Durga and her battalion during the Durga Pooja in our DumDum neighbourhood. They used to give this little in a matir bhar / earthen pot along with the khichuri made for the mass, labra, chutney, payesh, a sweet. Now I can cook it in bulk and offer to my God family; with no regrets! Our grandparents never offered anything made of rice grain to the God Family, neither my in-law's place do because we are non-brahmins. It is our mother who started cooking & offering khichuri / polao to her Gods & Goddesses, I also do the same!

INGREDIENTS : ( for the Bhuna Khichuri )

Rice : 1/2 Coffee Mug ( Gobindo Bhog/ Basmati / Chinigura / Kalijeera)

Lentil : 1/2 Coffee Mug ( Moong Bean; split; de-skinned yellow dal )

Water : 3 cups

Cinnamon Stick : 1 inch size 2

Green Cardamom : 4

Cloves : 4

Cumin ( whole) : 2 pinches.

Dry Red Chilli : 2

Bay Leaf : 1

Ginger Paste : 1 tsp

Turmeric powder : 1 tsp.

Salt : As per taste.

Sugar : 1 tsp

Cashews: 8-10 halved

Raisins : 8-10

Ghee ( clarified butter) : 4 tablespoon

INGREDIENTS : ( for the Aloor Kosha Dom )

Potatoes( medium size) : 4-5

Tomatoes : 2 medium sized

Ginger Paste : 1 tsp.

Cumin Powder : 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder : 1/2 tsp

Kashmiri Chilli Powder : 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder : 1/2 tsp

Salt : as per taste

Sugar : 1 tsp.

Water : 1 cup

Oil : 3 tablespoon

Cumin(whole): 1 pinch

Bay leaf: 1

PROCEDURE  : ( for the Bhuna Khichuri)

                       

Dry roast the moong dal till light brown, wash and put for boil in a deep bottomed pan adding one cup of water with the same measuring cup you measured the rice & lentil with; cover. After 10 minutes, add in little salt and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder. Cover again.

Wash the rice , soak and keep aside. When the dal is almost half done, switch off the gas stove. Heat 1tsp ghee in a wok and fry the rice well. Add the rice to the boiling dal, mix well and add 2 more  cups of water. Cover and let boil. Keep a watch. As the water dries, take the vessel away from the gas.

Put the wok on the gas. Heat the rest of the ghee. Temper with whole cumin, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, whole dry red chillies. Fry the cashews, add the raisins . Add the ginger paste, turmeric, salt , fry well. Now add the rice and dal mix. Stir well. Add the sugar , stir again and switch off. It is done.

PROCEDURE: ( for the Aloor Kosha Dom )

Peel, wash and cut the potatoes into halves. Boil the potatoes. Make a paste of the tomatoes. Drain the water once the potatoes are boiled. Add salt and 1/2 spoon turmeric to the potatoes. Heat oil in a wok. Fry the potatoes pieces in batches till golden brown.

Temper the oil with a pinch of whole cumin and bay leaf. Add in the ginger paste, fry well.

Now add the cumin powder, chilli powder, salt and turmeric powder, add little water and stir fry well at low heat.

Add the tomato paste. Stir fry at low heat. Add the fried potato pieces. Mix well with the spice mix, add water. Let boil till the gravy is thick.

Add the sugar. Mix well. Aloor Kosha Dom is ready. Transfer into a serving bowl.