Durga Puja 2023: Bengali culinary experts share bhog dishes that you can prepare at home

Kosha mangsho Bengali spicy mutton curryAll the dishes that are part of the traditional bhog platter are cooked without onion or garlic Apart from the traditional platter dishes that are popular in the community we always prefer to make delicacies like badhakopir ghonto Bengali cabbage sabji and beguni eggplant fritters Chandrima Sarkar food blogger notoutoftheboxKosha mangsho Pic courtesyChandrima SarkarIngredientsgtgt 500 gms of mutton mediumsized pieces curry cutgtgt 3 tbsp yoghurt or curd whisked gtgt 2 onions mediumsized thinly slicedgtgt 112 tbsp cumin powdergtgt 4 to 5 green chillies halved gtgt Salt to tastegtgt 1 tbsp ginger paste gtgt 1 tbsp garlic paste gtgt 14 tsp of sugar gtgt 12 tsp of garam masala powder gtgt 14 cup mustard oilFor marinating the muttongtgt 14 cup raw papaya gratedgtgt 12 tsp red chilli powdergtgt 12 tsp turmeric powderFor temperinggtgt 2 whole dry red chillies halved gtgt 10 black peppercorns lightly crushedgtgt 2 black cardamoms lightly crushed gtgt 3 green cardamoms lightly crushedgtgt 3 clovesgtgt 3 cinnamon sticks 1inch piecesMethodMarinate the mutton pieces with grated raw papaya red chilli powder and turmeric powder Keep it aside for two to three hours On a stove heat oil in a deepfrying pankadai preferably an iron wok Temper with whole dry red chillies black peppercorn black cardamom green cardamom cloves cinnamon sticks Now add sliced onions and sauteacute them over medium flame until brown in colour Add gingergarlic paste mix and sauteacute for a few seconds Next add the cumin powder mix and sauteacute for a few seconds Add the marinated mutton yoghurt salt and green chillies Mix and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes uncovered Keep stirring regularly to prevent burning at the bottom of the pan If yoursquore using an iron wok yoursquoll notice that the mutton will start to become a bit darkerNext add 250 ml hot water to the mutton Mix well cover and cook on low flame until the mutton pieces are fully done Keep stirring inbetween It takes approximately one hour for the mutton to get cooked through The gravy of this dish should be on the thicker side so adjust the quantity of water accordingly during the cooking process Add sugar and garam masala powder mix well and cook for two to three more minutes Turn off the stove and transfer the delicious kosha mangsho to a bowl Serve hot with parota basanti polao or luchiBhogspecial khichuri and tomato aamshotyorsquor chutneyBhog or naivedya is a lavish affair on saptami and ashtami days and the most auspicious days of the Durga Pujos The pure vegetarian multicoursed bhogrsquor dala with bhogrsquor khichuri phali begun bhaja fried long strips of brinjal bandhakopirsquor ghontyo dry cabbage preparations are few of the many dishes that are relished in the pandals and at home Home chef Somma Ghosh Kitchen Tales by Somma Ghosh kitchentalesbysommaghoshClockwise Cabbage sabzi tomato aamshotyorsquor chutney payesh bhogrsquor khichuri and beguni Pic courtesySomma GhoshIngredientsgtgt 300 gms of chopped tomatoes gtgt 200 gms sugar gtgt 12 teaspoon ginger gratedgtgt 1 packet200 gms aamshotyo chopped into 12inch squares or rectanglesgtgt 100 gms datesgtgt 50 gms raisinsgtgt 1 tsp roasted cumin and red chilli powdergtgt 1 tsp mustard oilgtgt A pinch of paanch phoron seeds a mixture of cumin fenugreek mustard aniseed and nigella seedsgtgt A pinch of rock saltMethodIn a wok or nonstick kadai pour mustard oil Once it heats up add a pinch of the paanch phoron seeds When they crackle add 14 teaspoon of grated ginger Sauteacute and then add the chopped tomatoes Sprinkle a bit of salt over the tomatoes and cover the kadai with a lid Water will get released from the tomatoes in the wok as they wilt in the heat The cover helps to retain all the heat inside and release moisture from the tomatoes with the steam developing inside the pan After 10 to 15 minutes once the tomatoes look soft add the aamshotyo pieces After another 10 minutes or so when the aamshotyo pieces look slightly softer add sugar and the seeded dates and soaked raisins Stir and mix properly Open the lid there is no need to cover it anymore Keep stirring at regular intervals till it is all tender Check for sweetness and adjust by adding more sugar if needed If you want to make it spicy then add a pinch of red chilli powder and mix thoroughly Sprinkle a pinch of rock salt Before removing from the flame sprinkle roasted and ground cumin and red chilli powder After it cools transfer the contents to a glass bowl This can be garnished with roasted cumin and red chilli powder Bhogspecial khichuriIngredientsgtgt 100 gms of Gobindo bhog rice gtgt 100 gms of shona moong dal gtgt 1 chopped potato into four cubes and fried gtgt 2 of pieces tomatoes chopped lengthwise gtgt 12 cup peas gtgt 8 fried cauliflower florets gtgt 1 tbsp grated ginger gtgt 14 tsp turmeric powder gtgt 12 tsp jeera powder gtgt 14 tsp whole jeera gtgt 2 bay leaves gtgt 2 whole red chillies gtgt 1 tsp roasted cumin and red chilli powder gtgt 2 tbsp mustard oil gtgt 1 tbsp ghee gtgt 650 to 700 ml of hot waterMethodWash the rice thoroughly at least six times and set aside Heat mustard oil in a three to five litre cooker Add whole jeera whole red chilli and bay leaf Now add shona moong dal When the dal is golden in colour add sliced tomato grated ginger turmeric and cumin powder and mix it Add the washed rice and stir Add some salt as per taste and mix properly Next pour hot water slowly and cover and cook while closing the lid of the cooker Turn the stove flame to low after the first whistle Switch off flame after 12 to 13 minutes in total Add the fried cauliflower florets ghee and sprinkle roasted cumin chilli powder when the steam is released and you are able to open the cooker Close the lid and keep aside till servingGo pandal hopping gtgt Thanersquos Aamra Prabashi celebrates one of the largest Durgotsav Along with pujo fare bhog prasad will be offered to attendees from October 21 to October 23On October 19 to October 24At Hiranandani Estate New Horizon School ground Rodas Thane WestLog on to aamraprabashithanegtgt The North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti will see a 20foothigh idol with an intricately crafted mukut for the goddessOn October 20 to October 24At Hotel Tulip Star Vaikunthlal Mehta Road JuhuLog on to northbombaydurgapujagtgt Bengal Club will celebrate its 88th Durga Puja with elaborate rituals followed by a grand aarti where drummers or dhakis from Kolkata will lead the festival musicOn October 20 to October 24At Shivaji Park Dadar WestLog on to bengalclub_shivajiparkgtgt Attend Deonar Bongiyo Parishad Sharodotsav for their cultural activities and participate in their sandhya aarti bhog and special pujas for all the daysOn October 19 to October 24At New Mandala Ground AnushaktinagarLog on to dbpanushaktinagarcom