Receta Bengali Mishti Pulao / Pilaf & Golbari Style Kosha Mangsho / Mutton Curry

by sukanya

Durga Puja Special 2017 – Bengali Mishti Pulao & Kosha Mangsho / Mutton It is that time of the year again. When the autumn sky is painted in deep azure blue, the air is mildly scented with the fragrance of shiuli flowers that beautifully carpets the surrounding green grass, like fresh morning dew drops… …the kaash flowers swaying in gentle breeze, telling tales of traditions that is seeped so deep in every bengali’s heart, the hypnotic resonance of dhaaker  taal, dhunuchi naach, soul stirring hymns of pushpanjali, pujo, heady smell of sweet camphor and incense,  natun saree, pujor gaan, bhoger khichuri,  bonhomie, dream food are what Durga puja brings to the mind of every true blue Bengali…a homecoming, infused a new leash of life battered from the mundane lifestyle…invokes joy, happiness, festivity, togetherness.. And starting from today, we will bring you the delicacies and festive platters throughout the Puja continuing till Lakshmi puja. We have already blogged about very best of Bengali cuisine, which you can find here. So please stay tuned and to have a glimpse inside my own kitchen, you can follow us on Instagram for my daily lunch stories and on Facebook too. Today we bring you this lavish combo of Bengali mishti pulao and Golbari style kosha mangshow. Pulao – mangsho is beautiful combo platter with anarasher chutney on side. I said beautiful and not deadly or killer combo, because those words best describes the incredible “luchi – mangsho” . There are two kind of pulao popular in Bengal, white one- that has striking Mughal influence and its origin can be traced back directly to the kitchens of Nawabs of Murshidabad. The other one is Basanti pulao (inherently yellow in color) which is greatly influenced by the Odisha’s Kanika – a sweet rice preparation. Both the pulaos are sweet in taste, hence popularly known as Bengali mishti pulao. Unlike the pulao or pilaf from other regions of India, Bengali pulaos are simple to prepare, with an undeniable sweet taste, that hedonistic smell of Jharna ghee, which imparts luxurious fragrance to the sweet cinnamon and cardamoms, the deep flavours of bay leaves and are generously laden with just cashew and raisins. No ground spices and fried onions are used here.  The rice used for pulao will always be that special and elusive short grained “gobindobhog or gopalbhog” which is renowned for its sweet aroma. Even basmati can not match its sublime fragrance. No wonder this rice is named after Lord Krishna. The sweet taste of the pulao demands something spicy companion. Here enters the kosha mangsho which is nothing but briased meat, mostly goat in this case. There is an age old tradition of animal sacrifices associated with Durga Puja, which is still continuing on many homes steeped deeper in ancient rituals and traditions and at the same time, many families has replaced the animal sacrificial ritual with the vegetables like chalkumro or white pumpkins. Hence, eating meat during Durga puja is perfectly legitimate (albeit the reasons are more gastronomic than religious) and particularly on Navami night. This recipe of kosha mangsho is adapted from the famous Golbari kosha mangsho of Shyam Bazar, North Kolkata. A small, kinda dingy place (hole in the wall kind) that is feeding the greedy souls of Kolkata for decades. At first glance you might not enter it, but the long queue outside the shop will instantly change your mind. I had been there number of times during my college days, and each and every time it has proved its worth. I dont know what they added in their kosha mangsho, but seriously it was highly addicted. Their secret recipe is zealously guarded, so no chance of getting any clue. So what I am sharing here is my recipe – analysis to create a replica of the dish. But replicating any recipe is almost impossible. This recipe of kosha mangsho is almost close or close cousin to the much famed and celebrated Golbari kosha mangsho. Check the recipe for shahi garam masala used here. Bengali Mishti Pulao / Pilaf & Golbari Style Kosha Mangsho / Mutton Curry   Save Print Prep time Cook time Total time   Bengali mishti pulao with kosha mangsho or Sweet pilaf with braised meat curry. Cuisine: Indian Serves: 3 Ingredients Mishti Pulao Gobindobhog rice / Basmati rice : 2 cup Cashews and raisins : a handful each Bay leaves : 2-3 Ghee (I use Jharna ghee) : 2 tbsp (solid state) Sugar ; 3-4 tsp Salt : a small pinch Whole garam masala : 1 cinnamon stick ; 4-5 green cardamom ; 3-4 cloves Ginger minced : 1 tbsp Kosha mangsho / Bengali bhuna gosht / braised Mutton curry Mutton (goat) : ½ kg For marination : Raw / unripe papaya grated : 2-3 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste : 2 tbsp Salt and turmeric powder : 1tsp each Hung yogurt / thick plain curd (without water content) : ½ cup Spices Wet garam masala paste : 1 tbsp (see recipe section) Shahi garam masala : ½ tsp Cumin paste : 1 tbsp Red chilli paste : 1 tsp Green chilli paste : 1 tsp Onion cut into quarts : 1 medium Onion sliced : 1 large Tomato : 1 ripe Sugar : 2 tbsp + Salt to taste Mustard oil : 4-5 tbsp Ghee melted : 1 tbsp Bay leaves : 2-3 Hot water : 2 cups Instructions Pulao Wash and soak the rice in water for 30 minute. Drain the rice very well and spread it on a dry plate. Rub it with little ghee and sugar. In a pan, heat the ghee, Temper it with cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom and cloves. Fry the cashews and raisins, till they turn nice golden in color. Add the rice and saute for 5 minute more, till everything looks dry. I cook pulao in microwave . Add rice, sugar and spices in microwave safe bowl. Level it. Add 3½ cup water or till the first line of your index finger submerged in water measuring it from top of rice bed. Close the microwave safe lid. Cook on micro high (950 W) for 15 minute. Stir it and serve hot. Kosha mangsho First wash and clean the mutton pieces. Use good quality fatty mutton for the recipe. Marinade the mutton with ingredeints listed under marination for 2 hours minimum to overnight. Prepare the wet masala paste - Soak 3-4 cardamoms, 4-5 cloves, one big stick cinnamon, 4-5 peppercorns. Grind it with water and make a thick and coarse paste. In a small pan, heat little oil and fry the onion that is cut into quarts (in four parts). Once it turned little brown, add the tomato and fry till tomatoes starts browning. Cool and grind it to a paste. I cook mutton in pressure pan. Heat the mustard oil in pressure pan. Lower the heat and add the wet garam masala paste. Stir it and check the masala should not get burned. Add the above fried onion-tomato paste, red chilli and green chilli paste, pinch of turmeric powder, salt and bay leaves. Mix everything well and keep braising the mutton and masala on medium flame. By this time you will see the mutton starts getting a deeper, richer brown color. Add rest of the spices and keep braising the mutton. Now add one cup hot water and keep bhunoing / braising the mutton till all the water evaporates and by this time you will see that the color is deep reddish brown. Check for all the seasonings. Add remaining one cup hot water, close the lid of the pressure pan / cooker and cook till done or upto 2 whistle. Meat should be soft and easily fall off the bone kind. Add ghee and serve hot with mishti pulao or luchi, paratha or just with simple roti. Add the sliced onions and fry till they turn golden. Now add the mutton pieces along with the marinade. Keep sauteing, till all the pieces browned slightly. Add sugar now and keep braising the mutton on medium flame. 3.5.3228 Vegetarians can pair the Bengali mishti pulao with potoler dolma (stuffed parwal) / roasted cauliflower or chanar dalna / kalia / Paneer kalia. Stay tuned for more Bengali delicacies, Sukanya   Related PostsShahi paneer kofta pulao / saffron soaked pilaf with caramelized onions and cheese ballsLucknowi Mutton Biryani / Awadhi pakki gosht ki biryanidaab chingri and kaju kismis pulaoMutton do pyaza – soaked in memories !! Like this:Like Loading...