Echorer Dalna (Jackfruit curry)

 

 About the food:

Raw jackfruit curry is very unique and is one of the traditional and favourite vegetarian dish among Bengalis. It is rightly so, since the the soft and suppleness of the raw fruit combines with the delicate flavours of bengali cooking to produce a dish exploding with rich aroma and colours. Raw jackfruit is nick named as 'gach patha': meaning a vegetarian meat, for all the flavours and textures inherent to it.

Living abroad for a very long time, at all time I had been craving for this favourite dish of mine. The wait is finally over, since I could finally have this vegetable in frozen form, in UK (Check Nikasu Frozen Foods for details). Best part of it being frozen is it does not have to be cut and chopped, which is the most difficult and tedious part of preparing this dish. So, venture this recipe, and I am sure you would taste an exquisite dish which will bring delightness to your palate!


Preparation time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 40 mins
Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 medium size raw jackfruit (2 packs, if using frozen).
2 medium onions, preferably red, chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced, in rectangular shapes, 1 inches dimensions.
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1/2 tablespoon garlic paste
3 tbsp tomato puree
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil/mustard oil
2-4 green chillies

1 bayleaf

1/2 teaspoon cumin whole

1/2 tablespoon cumin powder

1/2 tablespoon coriander powder

1/2 tablespoon garam masala powder (a mix of cloves, cardomon and cinnamon, dry roasted and fine grinded)

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 tablespoon kashmiri red chilli powder or cayenne powder 

2 tablespoon ghee/clarified butter

salt to taste

Method:

1. Cutting and chopping this fruit is the most difficult part to prepare this dish: oil your palm and the knife well, remove the hard outer shell of the jackfruit, and chop it into small chunky pieces, 1inch x 1inch x 1inch. Put the cut pieces in a bowl filled with water, to prevent oxidation. Your hand may become very sticky, but it can be removed by rubbing oil.  If using a frozen fruit, you can bypass this most tedious part, and the fruit pieces are ready to be cooked.

2. When using fresh fruit: Boil the pieces in pressure cooker over meduim flame and wait for 4-5 whistles. Drain the fruit pieces a collander. 

    When using Frozen:     Defrost the pieces thoroughly in a microwave.

Mix them with 1/4 tablespoon of turmeric powder and salt.

3. Heat the oil in a deep pan. When the oil starts to smoulder, add the cumin seeds, bay leaf and the green chillies (if using), fry them for about 30 seconds. Add the cumin powder and coriander powder and stir for another 30 seconds.

4. Add the chopped onions and keep frying until soft. Add the tomato puree, ginger and garlic paste, and continue cooking until the oil has separated.

5. Meanwhile peel the potatoes and cut them into chunky cubes of 1inch x 1 inch, wash and drain. For easy and quick cooking, place them inside a plastic bag, pierce the bag in a few places with a knife and cook in a microwave for about 4 minutes. The potatoes should be soft, but not fully cooked.

6. Put the potato pieces in the pan and mix them well with the fried masala. Add the jackfruit pieces and keep stirring. Add turmeric powder, salt, sugar and cayenne powder and keep mixing. Take care not to break the jackfruit or potato pieces. After 3 minutes, add 1 cup of water and put the lid on. After the water boils, cook on low flame for about 10 minutes. Check at a mid-point that the pieces are not overcooked. Add some more water if the curry becomes very dry. Adjust the cooking time until the potatoes and the jackfruit becomes fully cooked.

7. The cooked curry should not be dry, and yet not entirely runny. Add the garam masala powder when the desired consistency is reached and add the ghee. Put the lid on for a few minutes, serve hot with rice and enjoy!

Crispy chilli baby corn

About the food:

This is a Chinese recipe, perfect to be a starter. This is really easy to make, and is absolutely delicious.

Preparation time: 10 mins.

Cooking time: 30 mins.

Ingredients: (serves 4)

1 bowl baby corn, sliced through the middle, and then in half
1 bowl mushroom, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup corn flour
3 tbsp red/white wine
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp black pepper powder
2 green chillies, chopped
salt

Method:

1. Put oil in a pan. Fry the garlic until light golden.Take it out of the oil and reserve.

2. Part boil the baby corn and the mushroom separately for about 5 mins. This makes them soft and tender.

3.Coat the baby corn and the mushrooms with corn flour and deep fry until golden in colour. For best results, fry them separately. Remove them from the oil.

4. Heat a fresh pan and add some oil. Add the onion and green chillies and saute for 3 mins. Add the baby corn and mushroom. Add garlic, soya sauce, wine, a pinch of salt and black pepper. Mix them well.

5. Remove from flame and serve it hot.

Best served as a party starter. Goes well with baked garlic breads.

Palak Paneer (Cottage cheese in spinach paste)

About the food:

This is an absolutely delicious dish, and a fantastic food for the vegetarians. It is a very healthy and pure dish, and is not so difficult to prepare.

Preparation time: 2hrs
Cooking time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

2 litres of full cream milk.
Lemon juice, 1/2 cup (if making the cheese at home)
4 bunches of spinach leaves, washed, and chopped
4 big onions
2 tbsp ginger paste
1/2 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp cumin (jeera) powder
1 tbsp coriander ( dhania) powder
2 tomatoes
4-5 green chillies
1/2 tbsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp Garam masala powder (cardamom, cinnamom & cloves)
2 tbsp butter
salt
Vegetable oil

Method:

Making the paneer ( Cottage cheese):

For a fresh flavour, you can prepare the paneer at home, following the steps below. Otherwise you can get them at the supermarkets.

a. Pour the milk in a big saucepan. Bring the milk to boil. Squeeze the lemon juices in a small non-metallic bowl. Discard the seeds. Pour this into the milk. The solid part of the milk would separate out, leaving a clear liquid. Until the liquid is clear, you should go on adding the lemon juice.

b. Line a colander with a cotton cloth. Pour the milk solution on it, and gather the solid part. Press the solid part to squeeze the water out. Tie the cloth tightly, and put some heavy bowl etc on top of it, to drain the water away. Keep it for at least 2hrs.

c. Open the cloth, and you get fresh smelling paneer. Take it out from the cloth, and cut it into 1 inch cubes.

2. Cut the onions in quarters and put them in a pan of boiling water. This reduces the heat of the onions, and cooking becomes much easier and takes less time while sauteing. Put the whole tomatoes in the pan, and let the tomatoes and onions boil for 3-4 mins. Drain the water, and take the skin of the tomatoes out, which would have already splited.

3.Wash the spinach in hot water.

4. In a mixie, make a smooth paste of the spinach leaves, onions, tomatoes and the green chillies: all mixed together.

5. Heat a pan and add 3 tbsp oil. Add the ground garam masala, cumin and coriander powder to the oil. Let them crackle. Add the ginger and the garlic paste and saute for a minute. Add a tbsp of sugar. Add the spinach mixture to the pan. Add salt and the turmeric powder.Saute on medium flame, and continue cooking for about 10-12 mins, or until the oil separates out. You can add water to adjust the consistency.

6. When the mixture is cooked and you have got the desired consistency, add the cubed cheese pieces. Mix them well, let them simmer for 5mins and remove on a serving dish. Put the butter on the top and let it melt and mix.

7. Serve hot with Indian Paratha/Roti or Naan, with salad and chutney.

Indo-oriental Chilli Cauliflower

About the food:

This is a fusion food involving Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisines. The 'Chinese' or 'Thai' food that we get in India is basically a fusion of the cuisines. The original 'Chinese'/'Thai' foods are entirely different and distinctive in their own style. This recipe belongs to this group of fusion foods, and I am confident that it would be extremely appealing to anyone who likes Indian style Chinese/Thai foods.


I learned this recipe from a friend, and I have slightly modified it. For non-veg lovers, you can substitute the cauliflower with chicken, and it tastes absolutely fantastic. Try this, it is extremely easy to cook, and makes a great meal!

Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients: 1 big cauliflower
1 bunch of spring onions
1 inch root ginger, finely chopped
1 big onion, cut in rings
3-4 dried red chillies, cut through the centre de-seeded, chopped
vegetable oil
1/2 cup cornflour
1 tsp ajinamoto
salt
1 tbsp black pepper powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup Thai sweet-chilli sauce
1 tbsp ginger paste
1/2 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp soya sauce
2 tbsp vinegar
1/2 cup cashew nuts, halved

Method:

1. Cut the cauliflower with big chunky pieces, with the florets intact. Wash and put them in a large bowl. whisk the eggs in a glass, add 2 tbsp of cornflour, 1/2 tbsp salt and the ajinamoto. Pour this on the cauliflower and coat them well with the mixture.

2.Heat oil in a deep pan. Dip fry the cauliflower in batches until golden brown. Take them out in a kitchen towel.

3.Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan. Add the onions, capsicum, chopped ginger, cashew nuts, red chillies and fry them for 2 mins. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 min. Keep on cooking until the onions are tender but do not brown them. Add the cauliflowers and mix them well in the pan.Add the soya sauce, vinegar, the sweet-chilli sauce, a pinch of salt and 2 cups of water. Bring the water to boil. Mix 2 tbsp of cornflour with water in a cup and add it to the pan. Let it simmer for 2 mins.

4. Put it in a serving tray and serve with plain rice or any kind of Chinese/Thai fried rice.

Lentil cake curry (Dhokar dalna)

About the food:
This is a traditional Bengali dish, and one of my favourite. It is one of the most popular vegetarian food, often found in any Bengali party menu. Serve this with rice, and you can hardly find any delicious dish as this.Do not get scared away looking at the preparation time, it includes the overnight soaking time of the lentils.The cakes could be served just like that as a dry snacks, if you wish, with a mint chutney, and it is absolutely delicious!

Preparation time: 12 hrs
cooking time: 1 hr

Ingredients:

Bengal gram (Chana/Cholar Dal): 160gms
Yellow split pea (Matar dal): 40gms
Cumin: 1 tbsp
Garam masala ( cinnamom,cardamom & cloves) powder: 1 tbsp
Sugar: 1tbsp
2-3 Green chilli, chopped (de-seeded if you want less hot)
Salt
Ghee (Clarified butter): 2 tbsp
2 big potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
1 tomato, chopped
Ginger paste: 1 tbsp
1 bayleaf
Turmeric powder: 1/2 tbsp
Vegetable oil for deep frying

Method:

Making the cakes:

1.Wash and soak the lentils overnight in water. In a mixer, make a paste of the lentils.

2.Add the salt, sugar, 1/2 tbsp cumin powder and 2 de-seeded chopped green chillies to the paste and mix them well. Cover and keep it for 30 mins.

3.Heat a non stick pan and add 3 tbsp oil. Put the mixture and fry it on a low flame. The mixture should dry up, form a sticky dough, and should be a little browned. Take care not to burn it.

4. Take a deep dish and lightly oil it.While hot, spread the mixture in it evenly, about 1/2 inch thick. Beat the surface with the back of a spoon or a bowl to get an even shape and form. Let it set for about 20mins. With a knife, cut through it in straight lines, 1/2 inch apart. Now cut it again in straight lines, making a cross with the first line. You will get rhombus shaped cakes. Take them out carefully so they do not break.Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Fry the cakes is batches and take them out in kitchen tissues.

The curry:

5.Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan. Add 1/2 tbsp cumin and bayleaf and let them crackle. Add the ginger paste, fry for a minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, potatoes ,green chillies and fry on a medium flame. Add salt and turmeric. Fry for about 10 mins, and then add 2 cups of water. Simmer on a low flame until the potatoes are cooked. Add more water if it dries up and let it boil. Add the lentil cakes carefully and cover them with the gravy. Add more water if needed, the cakes need to be soaked in it. The gravy will dry out as the cakes will absorb much of it. Add the garam masala powder and mix it well. Add 3 tbsp of ghee. leave the curry for about 15-20 mins before serving. You may heat it up again just before serving.

6. Serve hot with plain basmati rice.

Cumin: 1 tbsp

Gujarati mango soup

About the food:

I came across this odd, new, innovative and fantastic recipe in Madhur Jaffrey's ' The ultimate curry bible', which I am currently reading. My apologies to madhur-ji, I have modified the recipe slightly, tuning the spice mix.This is a Gujarati recipe, where it is served as an appetizer, and is accompanied by the puris ( Indian fried flat breads). This can be a fantastic option of a vegetarian soup, and it feels deliciously fresh.

When I read through the recipe for the first time, I fought with my imagination to visualise it ( and to taste it!). Even when I was preparing it, I was extremely apprehensive about the success of the dish. But when it was done, I was absolutely bowled over by its taste, smoothness, texture and freshness. You could even serve this to the kids as a light meal, which would be an extremely healthy option.

The recipe uses the ripe alphonso mangoes, which is one of the best mangoes in India: with just the right mix of sweetness and texture. You can go ahead with this recipe with any other variety, then you have to adjust the salt and sugar quantities. But if you want the best, go for the alphonso!

Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time:10 mins

Ingredients: serves 4-5

5-6 ripe alphonso mangoes or 700 ml canned alphonso mango pulp
200ml plain yogurt
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 red dried chillies
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
10-12 curry leaves
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp coriander powder

Method:

1. If you are using whole mangoes, soften the mangoes by pressing and rolling them over your palm, until you can feel the pulp has become a smooth paste. Now peel the mangoes carefully, capturing the juices, and squeezing the seed and scrubbing the skin. Whisk the pulp into a smooth paste. Press the pulp through a sieve to take any fibre out.

If you are using the canned pulp, pour it in a mixing bowl.

2. In a bowl, put the yogurt. Add 125 ml (1/2 cup) of water and whisk it well. Add the cumin, coriander and salt. Mix them well.

3. Add the mango pulp to the yogurt. Add the sugar and 400 ml of water ( a little less than 2 cups), and mix them well.

4. Heat oil in a pan. Put the mustard seeds, curry leaves and the red chillies, broken into halves. Let them crackle. Remove from the flame and add the mixture. Return to the flame, bring it to boil, cover and simmer for 5 mins, taking care the base does not stick to the pan.

5. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Oriental style aubergine soup

About the food:

This dish belongs to the Chinese/Thai cuisine.

I recently had this soup at a Chinese eatery, and it tasted so new and different that I was immediately drawn to it. It took me some time before I could find a recipe which is the closest match to the dish, and impoverished on it in to get it done. It is a brilliant dish, ideal for the vegetarians, and could be served as a starter or as a light meal. It is extremely easy to make, and I am thoroughly in love with this dish. I can promise, many of my guests would soon have it served!

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins

Ingredients: serves 4

3 aubergines
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger paste
vegetable oil
salt to taste
1 tbsp Sesame seeds, dry roasted in a pan.

For the sauce:

4 tbsp soya sauce
2 tbsp wine vinegar
2 tbsp black pepper powder
1/2 cup tomato puree
2 tbsp Thai sweet-chilli sauce

Method:

1. Cut the aubergines in small 1 inch pieces. Make sure that each piece has a share of the skin, otherwise the piece will become very soft.

2. Brush a steamer rack with oil. Put the aubergines in the rack and steam it for about 10-12mins. Take care not to overcook them, the aubergines should just be tender and cooked through.

3. To make the sauce, put all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and mix well.

4. Heat a pan. Pour 1 tbsp of oil. Fry the chopped garlic for 1 min. Add the ginger and stir fry for another minute. Add the sauce and continue stirring over a medium flame. Continue until the oil separates from the mixture. Add 1/2 cup of water to make the sauce a little dilute. Adjust the water quantity according to the thickness of gravy, to get a thick soup. Season it with salt, it needed.

5. Add the steamed aubergine pieces, cover and cook for 2 mins.

6. Pour it on a serving bowl and garnish with the sesame seeds.

Vegetable chop

About the food:

This is an Indian snack, fantastic as a party starter or just to be served with a cup of hot tea. This has always been my all time favourite, and it brings back the nostalgic childhood memories with my family, when we used to savour it from vendors in the long train journeys. Try this, and all will love it, I bet!

Preparation time: 1 1/2 hrs
Cooking time: 20mins

Ingredients: (makes apprx. 20)

1 big Potato, peeled, boiled and smoothly mashed
4 medium carrots, finely chopped
4 medium beet roots, finely chopped
1 bowl white flour
1 big onion, finely chopped
2 eggs
2 bowl breadcrumbs
1 bowl peanuts, broken in halves and dry roasted
1 bowl green peas, part boiled (if not frozen)
Chat masala powder
4-5 green chillies, de-seeded and finely chopped (optional, only if you want the chops hot)
Ginger paste 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

For the Masala:
2 inchs Cinnamom stick
2 dried red chillies
1 tbsp jeera (cumin) seeds
1 tbsp dhania (coriander) seeds


Method:

1. Heat a pan. Dry roast the ingredients for the masala until they change colour and crackle. Take care not to roast for long, as then it will turn bitter.Grind the masala into a fine powder. Store it in an airtight container.

2.Mash the boiled potatoes well. Add salt to taste, and mix it well.

3. Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add the onions, and let it be slightly brown. Add the mashed potato and continue cooking. After 5 mins, add the garlic paste, carrot, beet roots and peas one by one, each time mixing them well. Carry on cooking for 15 mins over a slow flame. Add the masala powder as prepared above and the peanuts and mix it well in the pan.

4. Let the mix cool down. check for the seasonings and adjust. Roll them up in small size balls and shape them as a pipe (3 inchs long, 1 inch across) like structure, to form the chops.

5. Roll each chops in a plate containing the flour, carefully coating them on all its sides.

6. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Dip the chops in the eggs to coat its all sides.

7. Place bread crumbs in a plate. Roll the chops over the crumbs for an even coating.

8. Heat oil in a pan. Deep fry the chops in batches until golden brown. Take it out on a kitchen tissue.

10. Arrange them on the serving tray. Sprinkle the chat masala over it. Serve with a mustard sauce.

Cheese filled Jalapeno peppers

About the food:

Jalapeno is a Mexican hot & sweet pepper, which has a delicious flavour. I had this food at one of my friend's place, and it was so delicious that I was deeply intrigued to it. I promised myself that I had to learn to prepare this. Then some research, some alterations and here it is! It is a superb snack, or you can serve it as a starter. Try this out, it will never fail you!

Note: you can substitute the jalapeno peppers with bell peppers/capsicum, and it tastes as good.

Preparation time: 2 hrs
Cooking time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

4 jalapeno peppers, cut in halves and de-seeded.
1/2 small bowl of white flour
1/2 small bowl of cornflour
3 eggs, whisked
1/2 small bowl of bread crumbs or corn flakes crumbs
1 small pack of soft cheese, at room temperature
salt to taste
1 tbsp of garlic salt
1 tbsp of paprika powder
Vegetable oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Cut the halved jalapeno peppers in 3 inches stripes. Boil water in a pan. Put the peppers in the water, cover and cook for about 10mins or until they are tender.Drain the water and wipe the peppers dry with a kitchen tissue.

3.Fill all the pepper portions with a spoonful soft cheese. Freeze for about 2 hrs.

4.Take 3 bowls:

Bowl 1. Mix the corn flour, white flour, salt, garlic powder and the paprika.
Bowl 2. Keep the whisked egg.
Bowl 3. Keep the golden breadcrumbs.

5. Take out the frozen peppers. Dip and coat them with the items in the three bowls one by one. Arrange them on a plate. But do this in batches, as the frozen cheese might start melting.

6.Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Deep fry the coated peppers in batches until they are golden brown.

7. Serve hot with mayonnaise and mustard sauce.

Bengali sweet polau

About the food:

This is a traditional Bengali recipe, which has an irresistible salt and sweet taste. In any typical Bengali meal, you would expect to find this dish. Serve this with any curry dish and it is absolutely delicious.

Preparation time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 30mins

Ingredients:

Basmati rice 500 gms
Ghee 5-6 tbsp
Sugar 4-5 tbsp
Cashew nuts -one handful
Raisin -one small handful
Salt to taste
Kewra water/Rose water 3 tbsp
Bayleaves 2
Whole garam masala (clove, Cinnamon & cardamom) 1 tbsp
Yellow food colour (powder/liquid) 1 teaspoon

Polau masala:

Clove 3 tbsp
Cardamom pods 3 tbsp
Cinnamon stick 4 inchs
Shah Jeera 1 tbsp
Shah Marich 1 tbsp
Nutmeg 1 whole fruit
Mace 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Preparing the masala:

Crush the nutmeg fruit in pieces. Mix all the masala ingredients together. Heat a pan and fry all of them on slow flame until they are light golden. Remove from flame and grind them finely in a grinder. Put it in an airtight container and reserve.

2. Soak the raisins in warm water for about an hour or until they are swollen. Drain the raisins. Heat a pan. Add 1 tbsp of ghee.Fry the raisins and the cashew nuts till they are lightly golden. Set it aside in a bowl.

3.Mix the yellow colouring agent in a small amount of water and mix it well.

4.Wash and drain the rice. Measure the rice in cup. Add double amount of water to the rice. Say, if you take 1 cup rice, you should add 2 cups of water. This measurement is extremely important.

5. Heat a pan. Add 4 tbsp of ghee and let it melt. Add the whole garam masala and the bayleaves to the pan. Let them brown and turn the flame off. Pour this in the rice container, taking care as it might split. Add sugar, salt, the colour and the kewra water and mix them well.

6. a) For microwave cooking:
Put the above mixture in the microwave and cook for 15-20 mins on 850 watts/ high power.

b) For cooking on the hob:
Cover the rice and start cooking it over a medium flame. Reduce the flame when the water boils. Keep a close watch until all the water dries. Take care the rice does not stick to container base.

The rice should be soft, and yet they should not stick to each other. Remove the rice immediately to the another container as they are done, otherwise heat will melt the rice at the bottom of the container. Spread the rice lightly on a flat container. If needed, use more than one container.

7. Arrange a layer of the rice on the serving tray. sprinkle 1 tbsp of the polau masala and mix them well with the rice. Spread another layer, and repeat mixing the masala.

8. Garnish the rice top with the fried cashew and raisins and serve hot.

Meditterrean Grilled Aubergine with Cottage cheese filling

About the food:

This is a Spanish style grilled aubergine with cottage cheese (paneer) and peas filling. I saw a Spanish recipe of grilled aubergine in a TV show sometime back: this dish is an impoverished version of that. The method of cooking is the same, only the filling has been modified upon. It is an easy to make dish, makes an delightful presentation, and could be served as a starter, or in a cocktail party.The filling is to be scooped out with a spoon and eaten just like that: taste it, and it is delicious!

Preparation time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients: (serves 4)

4 medium sized aubergine.
1 medium sized onion finely chopped
1 bunch of spring onions, finely chopped
1/2 inch root ginger, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium sized capsicum (bell pepper) finely chopped
200 gm cottage cheese (paneer) finely grated or handcrushed
2/3 green chillies, de-seeded and chopped
1 bunch of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely grated cheese
1 cup green peas, boiled lightly and hand crushed
black pepper powder to taste
salt to taste
olive oil / vegetable oil

Method:

1. Cut off the steam of the aubergines. Cut the aubergines longitudinally in halves, so that each has a boat shape. Make incisions through the aubergine flesh, with a knife, both longitudinal and horizontal, as many as you can, taking care not to pierce the skin. Retention of the skin is very important as the dish would be served in it. Sprinkle salt and little bit of sugar on the aubergines and set it aside.

2.After 30 mins., drain the water off the aubergines, which has come out, and brush them generously with oil. Pre-heat oven for 15 mins. Set them on a lightly oiled baking tray, and grill them at 180 deg C, for about 15mins. Check from time to time, as the time might vary. Brush them with oil again once in between. The aubergines would be soft, a little charred and golden in colour when done. Scoop out the flesh of the aubergines when it has cooled down. Retain the skins as best as you can.

5. Add oil in the pan. Put the aubergine flesh and stir fry for about 5-8mins. Sprinkle some salt to taste. Take it out in bowl and keep it aside.

6.Heat oil in a pan. Add the garlic and the ginger and saute a little. Add the tomatoes, followed by onions, spring onions, capsicum, mashed peas and green chillies. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Continue cooking on a low flame for about 10 mins or until the oil separates out. Add the cottage cheese and cook for a further 5 mins. The cottage cheese should turn a little golden in colour.The filling is done.

7. Now arrange the aubergine skins in a baking tray. Fill them up generously with the filling, and top it with grated cheese.

8. Grill them at 180 deg C for about 5-6 mins, or until the cheese melts and turns slightly golden.

9. Take the tray out, and garnish them with coriander leaves. The dish is now ready to serve.

Paneer curry

About the food:
This is not a traditional Bengali dish, though it has grown in much popularity of late. There is a typical Bengali variation of the paneer curry, which I will share with you very soon. This is a perfect dish for the vegetarian guests, which could be served as a main dish, accompanied by plain rice.

Preparation time: 30mins
Cooking time: 25mins

Ingredients: (serves 4)

1. Full cream milk 1 litre
or
Paneer 300 gms.
2. 2 big potatoes, peeled and diced in 1 inch cubes
3. 1 inch grated root ginger
4. Cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon
5. Green chillies, slit through the centre
6. Whole garam masala ( 1/2 inch cinnamon stick, 4 cardamom pods, 4 cloves)
7. vegetable oil
8. 1 bunch coriander leaves finely chopped
9. 1 big tomato, finely chopped.
10. salt to taste
11. 2-3 large lemons
12. 1 pinch turmeric powder


Method:

1.Making the paneer ( Cottage cheese):

For a fresh flavour, you can prepare the paneer at home, following the steps below. Otherwise you can get them at the supermarkets.

a. Pour the milk in a big saucepan. Bring the milk to boil. Squeeze the lemon juices in a small non-metallic bowl. Discard the seeds. Pour this into the milk. The solid part of the milk would separate out, leaving a clear liquid. Until the liquid is clear, you should go on adding the lemon juice.

b. Line a colander with a cotton cloth. Pour the milk solution on it, and gather the solid part. Press the solid part to squeeze the water out. Tie the cloth tightly, and put some heavy bowl etc on top of it, to drain the water away. Keep it for atleast 2hrs.

c. Open the cloth, and you get fresh smelling paneer. Take it out from the cloth, and cut it into 1 inch cubes.

2. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Deep fry the paneer in batches until they are light golden in colour.Keep a bowl of water ready and put the fried paneer in this bowl. keep them for 5 mins in the water, then shift them to another container. This makes the paneer very soft.

3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan. Add the garam masala and let them crackle. Add cumin, green chillies and tomato and saute them over a low flame. Add the potatoes, salt, and turmeric powder and continue cooking. Add the ginger paste and mix it well. Continue cooking for about 10mins or until the oil separates out. Add 1 cup of water, cover and simmer over low flame for about 15 mins or until the potatoes are well cooked. Adjust the water level if the water dries up. Add the paneer to the pan and bring it to boil.

4. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with basmati rice.