Friday, January 16, 2009

Homeward bound .....ghugni and a little magic!!!


I am ecstatic these days..... going home after a loooooong time....... its not about going back to my parents or in-laws so much as it is going back to Calcutta ......our parents visit us on and off..... but it is me visiting Calcutta that is so important this time!!!!
In winter its all about that morning fog that hangs around in the air ,the warmth of the blanket, the smell of 'patali gur' er payesh ,the frying of 'koraishuti r kochuri',the steaming cup of hot milk tea, the hot 'jilipi' s dripping with syrup and so many fond memories.....
Calcutta also brings back memories of ghugni that is cooked at home. It took me 1 and 1/2 years to figure out the exact recipe but now I can proudly say I have mastered the art of a perfect vegetarian dish.

Ingradientes:

Ghugnir matar or garbanjo beans- 1 cup
potatoes-2 medium diced
tomato-1 large sliced fine
ginger-1 tbsp paste
cloves-1-2
green cardamom-1
cinammon-1"roll
whole jeera-1 tbsp
turmeric-1/2 tsp
kasuri methi-1/2 tsp
green chillies-2-3 slit
asafoetida-a pinch(optional)
coriander leaves-a sprig
cooking oil-3 tbsp
salt

Pressure cook the garbanjo beans until they are soft but not mushy.
Boil the potatoes and keep aside.
In the cooking vessel heat oil and sizzle the whole jeera and the whole garam masala.
If you are using asafoetida add it now and let the smell come out.
Next add the ginger and the tomatoes and turmeric.
Put the flame on low medium and let the mix cook.
Now add the matar and the potatoes and coat properly with the masala.
Add salt and 1/2 cup water and let it cook.Add the slit green chillies.
When you have the correct consistency of the gravy add the kasuri methi and mix.
Garnish with sprigs of coriander and serve with hot rice.

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