The Bengali cuisine

Its been a while I have posted anything, and what is better than to start again with some food by your side. Since being a bengali, I have been getting a little nostalgic now that Durga puja is around (Oh! I so miss the smell of Shiuli flowers). Here I am, posting the recipes of the dishes I made the other day to commence the start of Durga pujo (throw in some dhaaks and shiuli in here!)

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

Clockwise: Doi Begun (Yogurt aubergine); Chingri Paturi (Prawns cooked in banana leaf); Pineapple Chutney 

Doi Begun recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• Aubergine (round ones, thin slices)
• Yougurt
• Chilies (as per your requirements)
• Ginger (paste)
• Salt (for taste)
• Cumin powder
• Turmeric powder
• Coriander powder
• Oil
• Fresh coriander leaves

METHOD:

Cut the aubergine (one) into thin slices and marinate it with turmeric and salt and keep it aside. In a deep bottom dish, heat the oil, fry the aubergines. In the same oil left in the vessel, add the ginger paste. Put 2 teaspoon of cumin powder, 2 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. When the spices are mixed, add beaten yogurt (500gms) to the spices. Adjust the salt. Cover it and let it cook in low flame. After its been cooked, add the fried aubergines and fresh coriander leaves. Ready to savour.

Chingri paturi recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• Small prawns (cleaned and washed)
• Coconut (grated)
• Green chilies
• Mustard paste
• Turmeric powder
• Salt (for taste)
• Banana leaves
• Mustard Oil (compulsory)

METHOD:

Blend coconut, mustard paste, green chilies (2 nos.), turmeric powder (1 teaspoon) together. Note that 3 parts of coconut and 1 part of mustard paste should be mixed. Also add little water so that there is consistency and it doesn’t dilute. The mixture should be dry and textured. Add this mixture to the prawns with 2 tablespoon of mustard oil. Marinate the prawns and keep it for 20 minutes. Take a microwave dish, brush some mustard oil on the glossy side of the leaf and place it in the dish. Put the marinated prawns with the mixture in the dish. Add chilies. Close the banana leaf and microwave it for 10 minutes, full power. Serve hot.

Pineapple chutney recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• Pineapple
• Sugar
• Dry red chilies
• Cumin seeds
• Salt (for taste)
• Oil

METHOD:

Take a deep vessel, heat the oil and add dry red chilies (2 nos.) and cumin seeds. Add a pinch of salt. Take half the pineapple and blend it in the juicer and add it to the vessel. Let it boil. Add sugar (5 tablespoons or as per your sweet tooth). Chop the other half of the pineapple into thin pieces and add it. Let everything boil. Serve hot or cold, whichever way you like!

Stir and Fry with sauce (Recipe)

This recipe just happened yesterday, I am sure internet must be flooded with it and I do not take any credit for inventing it, but the joy of just coming up with this spontaneously, made me share it with you!

Remember the time when you don’t have much time, and are tired to get your ass to the kitchen and make yourself a meal, well, this would not take much of your time and its sort of healthy (the amount of veggies which goes into it) and does not take much of your time.

So, here we go.

INGREDIENTS:

• Capsicum (it would be nice if you opt the colored ones)
• Broccoli (I Love broccoli)
• Mushroom
• Baby Corn
• Chilies (as per your requirements)
• Onion
• Garlic (chopped)
• Ginger (chopped)
• Salt (for taste)
• Black Pepper Powder
• Tomato Sauce or Ketchup
• Mushroom Sauce
• Oil
• Chicken breast (Optional) or Paneer/ Cottage Cheese

METHOD:

Cut all the veggies and chicken or paneer (just cut everything like you want, i like it when they cut vertically, but its totally upto you). On the stove, put the kadai. Put some oil (use your senses, just not much, this will be shallow fried, tossed rather). Low flame. Put the chopped ginger and garlic. Put the onions. Put some salt (I would suggest, always put little salt, as you can always adjust  it later). Put all the vegetables (Oh! did you wash them? Please do, if not!). Cover the utensil. The water will be separated from the vegetables. Put the chicken strips or Paneer. Saute. Cover. Adjust salt. Saute. Cover. Watch some TV. Saute. Cover. Check if its cooked or not. I think it 10-15 mins is suffice. Check the chicken if its cooked. If yes, put the ketchup and Mushroom Sauce. Saute. You can also put Alfredo sauce instead of mushroom sauce. And you can always have your set of favorite vegetables. Turn off the flame. Put some pepper powder. And serve. You can team it with some plain or fried rice if you want. Eat. 😛

My taste buds loved it!

I was too busy eating, that I forgot to click a better picture of it. Thank God! I have a mobile phone. 🙂