Monsoon Specials: Bengali Khichdi with Beguni

Come monsoon, and our taste buds remind us of savoring something delicious. And what's better than treating yourself with steaming "khichdi" and bhajis? The heavy downpour outside perfectly matches with the sweet aroma of hot khichdi and fries. Of all the khichdi varieties, the authentic Bengali one is perhaps the best in taste and very easy to prepare. While khichdi can be prepared with both masoor and moong dal(lentils), the one made with moong dal definitely tastes best.

So here's the recipe for Bengali khichdi with moong dal for all you foodies:)

You will need: Precooked rice(one of those aromatic varieties, which Bengalees call "Atop Chawl"), Moong dal, Diced Vegetables-(Potatoes, Cauliflower, Tomato, Green peas, Green beans, Carrots), Ginger paste, Green chillies/Chilli paste,(Use onions if made with masoor dal) Ghee, Salt to taste, Sugar, Turmeric powder.

Procedure--Take equal quantities of rice and dal. First rinse the rice. Fry the dal golden brown in a dry pan. Take a shallow pan or hollow pot and heat oil(vegetable or mustard oil). Sprinkle some bay leaves and cumin seeds and add rice and dal in it. Saute for a while. Add the masalas, salt, and turmeric powder; saute for a while and add 3/4 cups of water. When it boils, add the diced veggies. Mix all ingredients properly and make sure that the rice and dal are boiled properly. The consistency should be thick and mushy. When the rice, dal, and veggies are boiled properly and the whole thing becomes thick, add sugar to taste. Add garam masala and generous dollops of ghee. Serve hot.

Beguni(Eggplant slices deep fried in batter)

You will need: 1 big eggplant; for the batter--Besan(gram flour), Rice powder(little),Black pepper, Salt, Chilli powder.

Procedure: Prepare the batter by mixing all of the above ingredients. Make sure that the batter is thick in consistency. Cut fine slices of eggplants. Dip the slices in batter, coating them evenly. Heat the oil properly. Keep the flame low and fry the slices golden brown.

Awards...once again!

I got this sweet ""GIANT BEAR HUG AWARD"

from my friend Andhra Flavors. Thank you very much! My hugs goes out to you as well:)

I would like to pass this award to:

Notyet100 for her wonderful culinary creations

Sagari for her yummy recipes and photos

Madhavi for her delicious and healthy dishes

Meera for her yummy Indian dishes

ENJOY YOUR AWARDS!!!

I'm also glad to get this beautiful YUM YUM AWARD



from another friend Notyet100. Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it!

I'm passing this award to:

Sireesha for her mouthwatering recipes

Swati for her delectable and artistic creations

Sowmya for her irresistible recipes

ENJOY YOUR AWARDS!!! YOU ALL ROCK!!!

My friend Sireesha has tagged me. Thanks a lot Sireesha! I really liked penning down my thoughts:) Here it goes...

What was I doing ten years ago?
I was fresh out of college and very happy:)

What are five things on my to-do list for today (non-work related)?

1. Blogging
2. Listening to music
3. Watching good films
4. Working out and yoga
5. Chatting with mom and sis

What are five snacks I enjoy?

1.Phuchka(panipuri)
2.samosa
3.Bhelpuri
4.egg/chicken rolls
5.chicken pakoras

What things would I do if I were a billionaire?

Travel to some exotic destinations of the world, do some charity, buy a house in NYC, open my own company...list goes on and on:)

Places I’ve lived:

Kolkata, Kharagpore, Stillwater(Oklahoma)

Jobs I’ve had:

I worked as a content writer,editor, copyeditor, and now a freelance journalist and writer.

Monsoon Favorites: Khichdi with Semolina

"Khichdi" or "Khichudi" as we commonly call it here in Bengal, is a popular recipe during monsoons. Khichdi is everyone's favorite, because it is great to taste, and can be prepared quite easily. Steaming hot khichdi with fries and chutney, is a must here during the rainy seasons! This delectable dish is really India's comfort food, being nutritious and yummy at the same time. Khichdis are of different types, cooked in a variety of ways, but more about them later.

Here's one easy to prepare recipe that's sure to tickle your tastebuds!

Ingredients: Suji or Semolina 200gms, Moong Dal(lentils) 150gms, Potatoes-2(diced), 1 Cauliflower(in small pieces), Green Peas(1cup), Ginger paste 1tsp, Green Chillies-2, Garam Masala(spices), Salt to taste, White cooking oil.

Procedure: In a dry shallow pan, fry the semolina(suji) and dal and keep separately. Fry the diced potatoes and cauliflower. Keep the dal semi-boiled. Now heat oil and saute some ginger paste first; add the fried potatoes and cauliflower, dal, green chillies, and boil for some more time. Add the semolina in this mix now. Add salt to taste. Just before taking off from the heat, add garam masala and ghee. Serve hot!