Mansher Khichuri (rice and lentil mix with meat)

Khichuri or Khichdi is a preparation made from rice and dal(lentil). Vegetables such as cauliflower, potato, and green peas are commonly added with it. In  Bengal, khichuri is a common dish served on rainy days. In holy ceremonies such as Durga( Goddess Durga) Puja, Kali (Goddess Kali) puja, Lakshmi( Goddess Lakshmi) I puja khichuri is an offering to God. Its called Bhoger khichuri. This bhoger khichuri is a purely vegetarian dish, made with rice, lentil, and vegetables. Rice and lentil is overcooked with spices and ghee and it is delicious. Every Bengali loves to eat bhoger kichuri. In my house in Saraswati ( Goddess Saraswati) puja khichuri is make like biriyani or pilaf its called Bhuni khichuri. This bhuna khichuri accompanied by Hilsa Fish fry.

Today I am going to share a different khichuri which is a nonveg one, made with meat or chicken called masher khichuri. It is a rich gourmet delicacy..

Ingredients

1 cup basmati or Kala jeera rice

1 cup moon dal(yellow lentil)

500 gm mutton(small pieces)

1 onion(peeled and chopped)

1 tomato ( chopped)

2  tbsp ginger paste

1 bay leaf

1 dried red chili

2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp coriander powder

3 tsp turmeric powder

4 tbsp ghee( clarified butter)

6 - 7 green chilies(cut it lengthwise)

1 tbsp garam masala powder

4 cups lukewarm water

salt to taste

Method

Cook mutton pieces in a pressure cooker or tenderizer can be used to tenderize the meat.

Heat a pan and fry moong dal until light brown. Soak dal and rice in water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Then drain the water and spread it in a paper towel.

Heat ghee in a big dutch pan. Add dried red chili, bay leaf, and cumin seeds. After it starts to crackle add chopped onion. Fry until light brown. Add chopped tomato and green chilies. Fry until tomato is well mashed. Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and mix well until oil separates.

Add mutton pieces. Simmer the gas flame. Fry for a while then adds rice and dal. Fry until rice change its color and oil separates.

Add 4 cups of luke warm water.and cover the lid. After 15  minutes check if water evaporate and rice and dal is cooked. If water evaporates and it needs to be cook more then add  more water and cook for until rice and lentil is  cooked.

Switch of gas.Add garam masala powder and add more ghee.and cover it up for 10 minutes before serving.

Happy cooking