Friday, January 18, 2013

Sankranti Special Bhogi Chi Bhaji....


Bhogi is the day preceding Makar Sankranti...Generally it is 13th January. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains". Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty of prosperity to the land. Since it’s a winter season main food for Bhogi is curry of mixed vegetable, bajra roti with sesame seeds on it and rice & moong dal khichadi....yummy one!...So that you can keep yourselves warm in winter,when a traditional Maharashtrian dish of mixed vegetables is prepared.The preparation not only makes for a delicious platter but also helps in counter attacking cold. To help you savour this dish at home, I would like to share this simple recipe with all of you.

Warm up your tummies this winter with this very healthy, hearty and nutritious dish!

Bhogi chi bhaji



Ingredients:
Brinjal small - 4
Peeled & chopped Carrots - 3
Peeled & chopped Potatoes - 3 medium
Harbara / Fresh Green chana - 1/2 cup( if available)
Green peas - 1/2 cup
Val papdi / INDIAN BEANS - 1 cup
Chopped tomato - 1 medium
Bor (Indian Zizyphus) - 4-5 (if available)
Green Pepper-1/2 cup

Roasted groundnut powder - 3 Tea spoon
sesame seeds - 1 tea spoon
Red chilly powder - 1 tea spoon
Goda Masala or Garam Masala - 1 table spoon
Jaggery to taste
Salt to taste
Little lemon juice or tamarind pulp for taste.

For Tempering
Oil - 2 tea spoon
Mustard seeds (Rai)- 1/2 tea spoon
Turmeric powder (Haldi) -1/2 tea spoon
Asafoetida (Hing) - 1 pinch
cumin seeds or Jeera (optional)-1/2 tea spoon
Garlic-1 or 2 pods

For Garnishing:
Fresh grated coconut-1/2 cup
Finely chopped coriander seeds-1/2 cup

Procedure:
1.Heat Oil in a kadhai or pan.
2.Add mustard seeds,Cumin seeds,Finely chopped Garlic, turmeric powder and Asafoetida.
3.Now Add all veggies brinjal, val papdi, carrots, potatoes, harbara,Green pepper and peas, mix it and cover it for few minutes and allow it to cook.
4.Add chopped tomato & saute it.
5.Now add Red chilly powder, Garam masala, salt, jaggery,tamarind or lemon juice and little water
6.cover it and let it cook for five minutes.
7.When all vegetables are cooked properly add bor and mix it.It gives khatta mitha taste to it.So if you are adding tamarind pulp or lemon juice you can certainly skip this step.You can add water if required.
8.Finally Add groundnut powder and sesame seeds mix it and cook for 2 minutes.
9.Bhogi chi bhaji is ready. Garnish it with grated coconut and coriander leaves.
10.Serve Hot with Bajra Bhakri with sesame seeds topped on it.
11.Your mouth watering traditional maharashtrain sankranti special mix veg curry is done!Let me know how was it!

Note:
1.You can add any vegetable you like to sabzi.
2.Traditionally bor and harbara are added to sabzi which gives it different taste but as those were not available to me i havent added it.
3.Also you can add curry leaves in tempering it again enhances taste.

Sending this happily to new event... very first in new year 2013....also my special preparation for new year..first article for new year...wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year....to "Foodabulous Fest" of Preeti's kitchen life...Very fabulous event preeti...I have been a great fan of your blog and is very happy to follow you on face book....