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Stuffed Pointed gourd - traditional Bengali Potoler Dolma

‘Dolma’ is a Turkish word meaning ‘stuffed’ relating to Ottoman cuisine. It is generally made with a filling of meat, seafood, rice, and fruits or combining them together stuffed inside a vegetable or leaf. Historically stuffed vegetable dishes have been part of Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. But it is unknown how and when this cuisine entered the Bengali kitchen. If we look back at our culinary history, we find its mention in Bengali kitchens much before the independence of India in 1947. ‘Dolma’ in Bengali kitchen is mostly done with the pointed gourd or ‘Potol’ as it is known in Bengali. The ‘Potol’ is scooped out of its inner seeds and contents, keeping the outer layer intact. A filling cooked with prawns or minced meat or fish is stuffed inside. Then it’s cooked into a gravy, which is called in Bengali as ‘Potoler Dolma’. Presented today is the ‘Potoler Dolma’ prepared traditionally in Bengali kitchens. Ingredients: Pointed Gourd ‘Potol’ large ones – 400 g washed an
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Potatoes with Poppy seed paste - Aloo Posto


 A favourite Bengali cuisine through the ages cooked with Poppy seeds and Potatoes. Much loved by Bengalis this item is served with lentils (daal) and steaming hot rice. A simple dish with very few ingredients brings out the beauty of Bengali cuisine.


Ingredients:


800gms potatoes peeled and cubed

60gms poppy seeds

2 tbsp mustard oil 

1 heaped tsp nigella seeds

2 green chillies slit lengthwise

½ tsp turmeric powder

150mls water

½ tsp sugar

Salt to taste

Extra chillies for garnish (optional)


Instructions:

Soak the poppy seeds in a bowl of hot water for 2 hours. Make sure the water covers all the poppy seeds. Using 4 tbsp of the soaking liquid add the poppy seeds to a blender and grind to a paste. Set aside.

Heat oil in a heavy bottom sauce pan heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the nigella seeds and green chillies. Fry for 7-8 seconds and add the peeled potatoes. Mix well and fry for 5 minutes.

Add the turmeric powder and stir well. Put the lid on and continue to fry for further 5 minutes. Stir and add the poppy seed paste making sure it coats all the potato pieces. Add the water and season to taste.

Bring to a boil and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking. Add a pinch of sugar and a few more chillies (if you like it spicy) and simmer for 2 minutes. Add a little more water if it gets too dry.

Serve with Luchis or steaming rice and dal.
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