Chingri Maacher Khichuri - Prawn Khichuri

There was a time when I used to love reading soft mushy romantic books, Mills and Boons kind but I realized with time that fairytale love stories exist in the realm of books and movies only. Real life walks in a different route altogether. Anyway, Valentine's Day is approaching nearer. I know lots of people who celebrate Valentine's Day in full swing and lots of people who sulk. One teenage sister in law of mine, for example, has put up a status on FB calling "Valentine's Day the stupidest day ever". When enquired of the reason for her such antagonistic statement, she clarifies that she feels frustrated seeing couples all over the place on V-Day whereas she and people like her who don't have anyone yet to address as their valentines feel left out and lacking. I completely understand her emotions because I used to feel the same way when I was her age.

 

 

Now it's not fair to segregate Valentine's Day into a celebration exclusive to people in love only. You may wish anyone you love on V-day including brother, sister, mother, father, friends and for that matter, just anyone you like. V-day celebrates love and love is not limited between pairs. So anywhere where your heart is, wishes can be exchanged. Taking the opportunity of the moment, let me wish you my readers a Very Happy Valentine's Day. May love and goodwill thrive in the world.

 

 

The below recipe is not perfectly grand and befitting for an occasion like Valentine's Day, but I believe something that my hubby gobbles up with love and affection is share worthy on V-day. After all, love is what that matters. 

Ingredients:                                                         Cooking time: 30-40 minutes ü  3 cups of long grain basmati rice ü  1 1/2 cups of moong dal ü  200 gm of prawns ü  1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste ü  1 large size capsicum (chopped) ü  2 medium size onions (chopped) ü  2 carrots (chopped) ü  6-7 green chillies ü  1 1/2 tsp of black pepper ü  1 tsp turmeric powder ü  1 1/2 tsp cumin powder ü  1 tsp garam masala powder ü  Few stalks of green onions or peyazkoli (chopped) ü  1 cup of green peas ü  1 cup of green beans (chopped) ü  White oil for cooking ü  Ghee Method: 1) Wash the rice repeatedly under running water. Keep aside. 2) Dry roast moong lentil till it turns golden brown in color. Wash the lentil under running water then. Keep aside when done. 3) Heat oil in a wok. When oil turns hot, add green chillies and shallow fry till green chillies turn a shade darker. Take off the flame and keep aside. 4) Into the same oil, add onions and fry till onion becomes translucent. Add the vegetables - carrot, green beans, capsicum, and green peas one after another and shallow fry, stirring occasionally. 5) Add prawns, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder and cumin powder. Mix in and cook stirring continuously for 2 minutes. 6) Add green onions and black pepper. Mix in. Pour rice and lentil together into the pot with required amount of water to cook the mixture. (I added three tall glasses of water). 7) Add salt and cook covered till rice and lentil are cooked through. 8) Mix ghee and garam masala powder into khichuri before turning the heat off. 9) Serve hot with fried onion rings.