vegetable khichuri recipe

 

Vegetable Khichuri with Eggplant Fry & Begun Bharta – Bengali Comfort Meal

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Serves: 4
Category: Bengali Recipes | Comfort Food | Vegetarian

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is the ultimate Bengali comfort combo—hot moong dal khichuri, crispy eggplant fry, and smoky begun bharta. It’s nourishing, satisfying, and perfect for rainy days, lazy weekends, or even festive feasts like Durga Puja and Pohela Boishakh.

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Ingredients

For Vegetable Khichuri:

• 1 cup rice (chinigura or basmati)
• ½ cup moong dal (roasted lightly)
• 1 small potato – diced
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup green peas
• 1 medium onion – sliced
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 2–3 green chilies – slit
• 2 bay leaves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 2 cardamom pods
• 2 cloves
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tbsp ghee or mustard oil
• 4 cups hot water

For Eggplant Fry:

• 1 large eggplant – sliced into rings
• Salt and turmeric
• Mustard oil for frying

For Begun Bharta:

• 1 large eggplant (for roasting)
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• 2 green chilies
• 1 small onion – chopped
• 1 tsp mustard oil
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Khichuri

1. Wash rice and roasted moong dal. Soak for 15 minutes.
2. In a heavy pan, heat ghee or mustard oil. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.
3. Add sliced onions and fry till soft.
4. Add ginger paste, turmeric, green chilies, and chopped vegetables. Stir well.
5. Add soaked rice and dal. Mix gently.
6. Pour 4 cups hot water. Add salt.
7. Cover and cook on medium flame till everything is soft and slightly mushy. Add more water if needed.
8. Finish with a spoon of ghee for extra flavor.

Step 2: Fry the Eggplant

1. Sprinkle sliced eggplants with salt and turmeric. Let sit 10 minutes.
2. Heat mustard oil in a pan. Fry slices until golden brown on both sides.
3. Set aside on tissue paper to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Make the Begun Bharta

1. Roast the whole eggplant over open flame or bake until charred and soft.
2. Peel skin, mash with chopped onion, garlic, green chilies, mustard oil, and salt.
3. Mix well and serve.

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Serving Suggestion

Serve the steaming khichuri with fried eggplants on the side, and a generous scoop of begun bharta. Add a slice of lemon or a boiled egg for extra richness!

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Tips & Variations

• Add cauliflower or beans for more texture in khichuri.
• For bharta, roasted tomatoes or a pinch of mustard paste can add a tangy twist.
• Add a dry chili tempering for the bharta if you like heat.