Bhog Khichuri is a traditional version of Khichdi which basically is a mixture of rice and pulses cooked together. This particular recipe is a popular traditional Bengali cuisine which is often made during pooja or special occasions and offered as "Prasad" to Goddess Durga. The specialty of this Khichdi is the rice used in it. It"s special rice which is known as "Gobindo Bhog" in Bengali and is packed with fragrance. Another specialty of this Khichdi is that there is no use of onion or garlic in it. One can add various vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, carrots, etc or just keep it simple as in this recipe. Serve it hot along with a mixed vegetable dish of "Labra", different kinds of fries called "Bhaja" and "Tomato Chutney".

Ingredients:

•Gobindo Bhog Rice - 1 cup
•Moong Dal - 1 and 1/4 cups
•Green Peas - 1/3 cup
•Cauliflower - 6 florets
•Potatoes - 2, peeled and cut into halves
•Ghee - 3 tbsp
•Bay Leaves - 1 to 2
•Dried Red Chilli - 1
•Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
•Garam Masala Crushed - 1inch Cinnamon, 3 Green Cardamoms, 4 Cloves
•Green Chillies - 2, cut in slits
•Minced Ginger - 3/4 tsp
•Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
•Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
•Sugar - 1 tsp
•Salt to taste

Method:
1. In a wok, dry roast moong dal. After few seconds, a nice aroma of roasting dal will come out. Its colour will change to brown. Turn off heat.
2. Pour some water over it. Drain water completely and keep the moong dal separate.
3. Wash the rice under running water and keep it aside.
4. Heat ghee in a kadai.
5. Add minced ginger in it and saute for few seconds.
6. Add cumin seeds and let it change its colour a little.
7. Now add dried red chilli and bay leaf, again saute for few more seconds.
8. Mix crushed garam masala and green chillies in it, a nice aroma comes out.
9. Now add potato and cauliflower in it. Saute for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
10. Pour 1/2 cup warm water and spread the dal in it.
11. When dal started to boil, add rice and green peas in it.
12. Add Kashmiri red chilli powder, salt, sugar and turmeric powder in it. Fold nicely for 2-3 minutes or till everything incorporated very well.
13. Add 3 and 1/2 cups of water in it. Let it come to boil.
14. Close the lid of pressure cooker and pressure cook in low till a whistle. Switch off the heat and let it rest in stream for few minutes.
15. Khichuri Bhog is ready. Serve it with fried vegetables, Rice Kheer and Tomato-Date chutney.

Notes for Bhog Khichuri
Do not use any onions and garlic, since Bengali customs consider these ingredients to be non-vegetarian. It is not custom, but one can add tomato in it to enhance the flavour and taste.

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