Bengali Style Masoor Dal / Bengali Style Red Lentil Dal

masoor dal

Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Cooking Time : 20-25 minutes
Serves :4-5

Ingredients :

• Masoor Dal / red lentil dal : 1cup
• Onion : 1 very small finely chopped
• Garlic Cloves : 2-3 finely chopped
• Green chilies :3-4 slited
• Panch phoron : 1tsp
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
• Mustard oil : 1 tbsp
• Sugar : 1 tsp (Optional)

Procedure :

1) Wash and soak masoor dal for 15 minutes.
2) Take a pan and boil 1 cup Masur Dal with 2 and ½ cups of water,
     a pinch of turmeric and chopped garlic. Boil until dal is fully
     cooked. Pour it in a bowl.
3) Heat oil in the same pan, add green chilies and panch phoron.
    Wait for few seconds.
4) Now add chopped onion and fry till its colour changes to golden
    brown.
5) Add boiled dal and mix well.
6) Add salt, sugar and a cup of boiling water. (If you feel you need
    to add more water do so.) Cook till you hear a nice bubbling sound.
    Stir infrequently during this process.
7) Continue cook till the thickness of the dal is according to your liking.
     Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Macher Matha Diye Bandhakopi / Bengali style Cabbage Curry with Fish Head

macher matha diye bandha kopi

Ingredients:

• Cabbage / bandha kopi : 1 small size (thinly sliced)
• Rohu (rui)/ Katla /Hilsa (ilish) : head 1 whole (cut into halves)
• Potato : 1 large (cut into small cubes)
• Green peas : 1/4 cup
• Bay leaf : 2 medium
• Panch phoron : 1 tsp
• Green chilies : 2-3 chopped
• Ginger  paste : 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Cumin powder : 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder :  1 tsp
• Garam masala powder : 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder : 1tsp
• Chilli powder 1/2 tea spoon
• Salt  to taste
• Sugar :1 tbsp
• Mustard oil /  vegetable oil 
• Ghee/ clarified butter 1 tea spoon

Procedure :

1) Clean fish head and marinate with salt and turmeric powder.
2) Heat 5-6 table spoon oil in a pan very well and add fish heads to
    it.Fry the fish heads really well. Take out  from oil and keep
    separately. Let it cool down and break it into small pieces.
3) Take a heavy bottom pan add 3-4 tbsp oil heat it and add potato
     pieces. Fry it till light brown and keep it aside.
4) In the same oil add bay leaf, panch phoron, green chilies . Fry for
    few seconds.
5) Add cabbageand green peas. After that add ginger paste, cumin
    seeds, turmeric powder ,little salt( Be careful as fish head contains
    salt),  coriander powder, red chilli powder and mix them well . Cover
   with lid and cook in medium heat till cabbage is almost done.
6) Now add potatoes and fried fish head mix well .Sprinkle little water
    if needed. Keep checking occasionally.Again cover it and cook till
    they are fully cooked.
7) Now add sugar and sprinkle garam masala powder. Cook for another
    1-2 minutes.
8) Add a tsp of ghee and mix well and turn off the heat.
    Serve hot with steam rice and dal.