Bhoger Khichuri | Bengali Bhog Khichudi | Durga Ashtami Special Khichdi

“Bhoger Khichuri” Or “Bengali Bhog Khichudi” Or “Durga Ashtami Special Khichdi”
This khichdi is served as bhog to Maa Durga. Ask any Bengali what special place the pandals and this khichudi holds in Durga Puja.  I had the chance to see the Durga Puja festival in Jamshedpur, in 2014.Though I never had a chance to see Kolkata’s Durga Puja but trust me, I am sure the craze in Jamshedpur for Durga Puja is no less than Kolkata.  And I too had this Bhog Khichudi there. If you are in Kolkata or Jamshedpur during Durga Puja and you didn’t have this Bhog Khichdi, then you are missing something very important part of Durga Puja.

This Khichdi is made with very basic ingredients and it is very light. This is a one-pot delightful meal for your tummy that you can have it any day. Accompany this moong dal khichdi with some other delicacies and your yummy delightful meal is complete.

Serves 2
Ingredients:

• 1 Cup rice
• 1/2 Cup split skinless moong dal
• 2-3 Tbsp ghee
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 2 Cloves
• 2 Green cardamom
• 1 Tsp cumin seeds
• Pinch of asafoetida
• 1 Tsp red chili powder
• 1 Tsp turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp Garam masala
• 1 Tsp coriander powder
• 1 Medium potato, cut in cubes
• 6-7 Medium cauliflower florets
• 1 Medium tomato, chopped
• 1/2 Cup green peas
• 1/4 Cup french beans, chopped
• 2-3 Green chilies, slit
• 1 Tbsp ginger, finely chopped
• Chopped coriander leaves, for garnishing
• Salt as required

Recipe:
Step 1- Heat a pan and dry roast split moong dal until aromatic and transfer into a bowl and wash them. Wash and soak rice for 30mins and drain the water. Keep aside
Step 2- Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan or cooker and saute bay leaves, cinnamon stick, dry red chilies, cloves, green cardamom, cumin seeds, and a pinch of asafoetida on medium flame. Add chopped ginger and green chilies, saute for 30secs
Step 3- Add tomato and fry until mushy. Then add coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. Mix in the chopped veggies and fry for 2mins on high flame
Step 4- Add the roasted moong dal and rice to the cooker. Keep stirring for 20secs and then add 4cups of water with required salt and 1tbsp of ghee. Close the lid of the cooker and pressure cook for 1whistle on high flame and then turn off the flame
Step 5- When the pressure goes off completely, garnish the khichdi with coriander leaves
While serving pour 1tsp ghee on the khichdi and serve with plain curd, aloo ka chokha, baigan bhaja or any chutney. Enjoy hot khichdi. 🙂