BM# 63: Journey through the Cuisines
Week 1: Bengali Cuisine
Day 3: C for Charchari (Bengali Mixed Vegetable Curry)
It is an easy to make mixed vegetable dish and from the different recipes I found online, each family has it's own way of making this humble dish. Each version had a slightly different veggie used and some used mustard paste while some didn't. I followed Sandeepa's recipe to make my Charchari, except for the addition of mustard paste which I omitted.
Crumbled Bengali boris or vadis are added on top while serving, but I didn't have any, so skipped them. Serve this dish with rice or roti and Bengali Masoor dal for a filling and hearty meal.
Recipe adapted from Sandeepa's Bongmom Cookbook:
Bengali Charchari
Ingredients
- 1 Potato Medium , peeled and diced
- 6 ~ 8 Eggplants Small , chopped
- 1 cup Pumpkin Peeled and diced
- 1 cup Broad beans , chopped
- 2 Drumsticks , chopped (I didn't add this)
- 3 ~ 4 Chilies Green
- 1 tsp Panch Phoron (Bengali spice mix with cumin, fenugreek, mustard, fennel & nigella seeds)
- ¼ tsp Asafoetida Hing or
- ½ tsp Turmeric
- To Taste Salt
- 1 ~ 2 tsps Sugar (optional)
- 1 ~ 2 tsps Mustard Oil (optional)
Instructions
- Make sure to chop all the veggies approximately the same size.
- Steam or microwave the veggies until fork tender. Keep ready.
- Heat 3tbsp oil in a large pan. Add the panch phoron and hing; once the seeds start to splutter, add the green chilies and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the steamed veggies, season with salt and sugar (if using) and mix well.
- Cook till all of the water from the veggies completely evaporates and the veggies are completely cooked through and dry.
- Drizzle mustard seeds, if using, and take it off the heat. Serve with rice or just as is.
- Sprinkle with fried vadis on top before serving.
Usha Rao
Even I like mixed vegetable curries buy no takers at home. This mixed vegetable curry looks very simple but must have been quite flavorful.
Gayathri's Cook Spot
Looks like a hearty side dish for rice...
rekhas kitchen
OMG From where did you get all these props Pavani. specially that ghee pot God I kept the recipe a side and keep on watching your props.so beautiful. sorry charchari looks so delicious..
Sapana Behl
Same pinch Pavani I too made it from Sandeepa's and also used the mustard paste.Your looks very delicious and lovely presentation.
Srivalli
Wow this seem to be the popular one for today..so nicely plated pavani...
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Lovely choice and so simple to make. Love mixed vegetables for rice as well as roti and this looks really good.
Priya Srinivasan
Lovely medley of veggies. Panch phoron must have rendered an amazing flavour! !
Suma Gandlur
This sounds similar to panch phoron taarkari from the neighboring north eastern states. Could guess how this simple, home style curry compliments the meal.
Kalyani
A comforting medley sure there with the flavour from panchporon :))
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan
wow one more charchari.. you girls are tempting me with your pics and need to get the masala very soon. yummy
The Pumpkin Farm
Pavani...i tasted some weird combinations last year in kolkata, of veggies that i wont dream of making together....but they always tasted awesome, this ridge gourd plus brinjal seems to be one like them...
Nalini's Kitchen
Simple yet comforting curry with all those colorful veggies,lovely props.
Smruti Shah
Simple yet flavorful version of mixed vegetable. Amazing clicks as usual, Pavani 🙂
Priya Suresh
Love this beautiful charchari, wat a beautiful medley of vegetable and love this kind of simple dishes.
Amara Annapaneni
Very interesting combo Pavani, the dish looks colorful and delicious. 🙂
PJ
Delicious clicks Pavani. I am still drooling over the second pic :)beautiful props and nice set up as well...
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
Nicely plated this wonderful curry.
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
a great side dish - perfect with rice
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
a great side dish - perfect with rice
Ruchi Indu
I loved your whole thali.... looks very flavourful