Pineapple Chutney and Panch Mishori Dal(Five lentil Dal)

The festive time of the year, with Durga Puja round the corner, Everything is soaked in the spirit of festivity .
The Parar (Street) Thakurer Pandal have been put up, at least the Frame work has been going on full swing. People patiently joining long bamboos, woods and clothes , nailing them and then putting the frame , on which the décor will be made , some good wooden works and many more interesting things .








Pandal is the home (abode) for Goddess Durga for those important four days of shashti right after Bodhon to saptomi, ashtami and navami till VisarJan(immersion of Goddess in Ganges) .

These pandals are pre –planned and well coordinated to give them huge shape or even made into replica of world famous monuments , buildings or even incidents .Each Puja Pandal is based on some theme also and is a pure delight for artists and common people as well .These are such sheer passion and creativity personified .


There is a small village Dinajpur where people are making and carving patterns on the lengths of bamboo and over 1000 such designs are required for a Puja Pandal in Kolkata .
And then Some of them making bird nest like the tailor Birds do, That is going to be used for the décor of a puja pandal .Now that’s the epitome of creativity.
If you pass any street, road, you will come across at least five puja pandal. Under different youth organization often called here as Clubs like chaltabagan jovok sangha or a Balak vrinda sangha .

We see the fully made , lighted puja pandals , but we literally never realize that it required so many hands to join them and put the gorgeous large Puja Pandal come alive.
People are now going for the last minute shopping .Visit New market , College street and there is just mad rush every where .Even Local TV Channels are showing the reverse countdown with each passing days .All geared up and ready to welcome Maa Durga with all the much fanfare and gaiety.
Festivity brings many fond memories also, that include pandal hopping and gorging street foods.While we would be dressed in crisp new clothes and trendy shoes and then the entire schedule would be planned to visit most happening Puja pandals .We would often end up discussing which puja pandal appealed to us most , sometimes even ending up on a sweet little fight .Those were so lovely days , days to enjoy and cherish .

This year also we all are looking forward to the much awaited festival of shakti puja , the victory of goodness over evil , victory of light over darkness .

Jago Jago Jago Maa

Jago Jago Tumi Jago

Jago Durga Jago dasha Praharono Dharini

Abhaya Shakti Bhalo Prayadayani tumi Jago
Jago Tumi Jago .......................

These are Part of lyrics of a devotional Song that is included in MahishashurMardini .

Let’s invoke Goddess Durga to bestow us her blessings and Show the right path that leads us to peace and Tranquility.

Now to the Recipes........

Annaroser Chutney/Pineapple Chutney

Ingredients
Pineapple 10 15 pieces
1 tsp of mustard seeds
1dry red pepper
2bay leaf
¾ cup of sugar ( add as per your taste)
pinch of salt
1 tbs of mustard oil

Method
temper hot mustard oil with mustard seeds , dry red pepper , bay leaf add pineapple pieces , sauté for 1 mints and add salt and sugar , ½ cup of water , cover and cook at low for 10 mints or till the pineapples are cooked .Taste before you serve .



Panch Mishori Dal/Panch ratan Dal ( Five Jewel Dal)

Lentils are good source of protein and provide essential nourishment.
Here is a simple recipe for panch mishori dal (five lentil stew ), that’s often being made in our house , but never occurred to my senses to post about it .Five Jewel lentil stew is a combination of urad , masoor, arhar/toor ,moong and chana dal and which is tempered with cumin seeds ,ginger paste and green chilly .Sometimes chopped onions are also added , but we generally don’t add onions to it .


Panch Mishori Dal/Panch Mel dal /Panch Ratan Dal
Ingredients
¼ cup arhar dal /pigeon peas
¼ cup moong Dal/split greem moong
¼ cup chana dal/split Bengal dal
¼ cup Urad dal
¼ cup masoor dal

Tempering and Flavoring
1tsp of cumin seeds
2 bay leaf
1tsp of turmeric powder
1 ½ tsp of red pepper powder
2-3 green chilly slit in between
2 tsp of ginger paste
1 tomato chopped
½ tsp of aamchur powder (optional)
Method
Clean the lentils and then wash thoroughly in water 2-3 times .
Transfer the entire lentil mixture in Pressure cooker and add 2 -3 cup of water let it cook for 2 mints at high , discard the white froth that gets formed .
Now add little bit of more water , enough to submerge the lentils .
Add turmeric powder and salt, cover the pressure cooker , one whistle at high and lower the flame , let the lentils cook for 7-10 mints at low .
Let the pressure subside and then open the cover, check if water is required, if so add a little warm water . Add the aamchur powder ,if you dont feel like, skip it .

Flavoring and tempering the Ghee
Meanwhile heat up a kadai , add ghee , add cumin seeds , bay leaf , fry for some time .
Add ginger paste, chopped tomato and green chilies , fry them for 2-3 mints .
Transfer the masala /tadka to the cooked gravy and cook at low for 2mints.
Serve with warm cooked rice.
Happy Cooking Friends