Bhoger khichuri recipe with gobindobhog rice, roasted moong dal, ghee, whole spices and ginger, no onion or garlic, just like Durga Puja Ashtami bhog. Serves 4.
Khichuri with fried vegetables, offered as bhog in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Put the dry moong dal in a heavy-based pan over medium-low heat and stir constantly for 6–8 minutes, until it turns light golden and smells nutty.
Khichuri bhog served in leaf bowls at a Durga Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Wash the roasted dal and the gobindobhog rice together in two or three changes of water until the water runs nearly clear.
Khichuri with fried vegetables, offered as bhog in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Fry the potato and cauliflower with a pinch of turmeric and salt for 4–5 minutes until lightly golden at the edges, then lift them out.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add 1 tbsp more ghee to the pot. Add the bay leaves, cumin seeds, dried red chillies, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and stir for 30 seconds until the cumin crackles.
Khichuri with fried vegetables, offered as bhog in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the drained rice and dal and stir gently over medium heat for 2–3 minutes so every grain is coated in ghee.
Khichuri bhog served in leaf bowls at a Durga Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Pour in 5 cups of the hot water, add the salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover partly and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so nothing catches.
Khichuri with fried vegetables, offered as bhog in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the fried potato, cauliflower and peas, the sugar and the remaining cup of hot water.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Turn off the heat, stir in the last 1 tbsp ghee, cover and rest for 5 minutes.
Khichuri with fried vegetables, offered as bhog in a Bengali home. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Bhoger khichuri recipe with gobindobhog rice, roasted moong dal, ghee, whole spices and ginger, no onion or garlic, just like Durga Puja Ashtami bhog. Serves 4.
Bhoger khichuri → Next story: Labra: mixed vegetables for Durga Puja bhog All photo storiesMusic: Indian Folk Classical Flute Music (1), MayankSingh33, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.