Rainy Day Recipe Ideas: Comfort Food for Wet Days in Bangladesh

 

Rainy Day Recipe Ideas: Comfort Food for Wet Days in Bangladesh

Rainy days have a special place in the hearts of many Bangladeshis. The monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat, replenishing the land and bringing lush greenery to the countryside. While the rain can be soothing and beautiful, it often calls for a change in our culinary preferences. On a rainy day in Bangladesh, nothing beats a warm, hearty meal that not only satisfies your taste buds but also warms your soul. In this article, we will explore some delectable rainy day recipe ideas, perfect for those wet days in Bangladesh.

1. Khichuri (Khichdi)

Khichuri, also known as khichdi, is a quintessential comfort food in Bangladesh, especially during the rainy season. This one-pot dish combines rice, lentils, and an array of spices to create a flavorful and nourishing meal. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice

• 1/2 cup lentils (usually moong dal)

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

• Salt to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and lentils thoroughly and soak them in water for about 30 minutes.

2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.

3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Drain the soaked rice and lentils and add them to the pot. Stir well.

5. Add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix everything together.

6. Pour in enough water to cover the rice and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice and lentils are fully cooked and have a porridge-like consistency.

7. Serve hot with your choice of accompaniments, such as fried eggplant slices, fried fish, or spicy pickles.

2. Bhapa Ilish (Steamed Hilsa Fish)

Hilsa, known as the "queen of fish" in Bangladesh, is a beloved delicacy. Bhapa Ilish is a traditional Bengali dish where hilsa fish is marinated in mustard and coconut paste, then steamed to perfection. It's a delightful dish that pairs wonderfully with hot steamed rice.

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of hilsa fish steaks

• 2 tablespoons mustard paste

• 2 tablespoons coconut paste

• 2-3 green chilies, slit

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• Salt to taste

• Mustard oil for drizzling

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the mustard paste, coconut paste, turmeric powder, and salt to form a smooth paste.

2. Marinate the hilsa fish steaks with this paste, making sure they are well coated. Allow them to marinate for about 30 minutes.

3. Place the marinated fish steaks on a heatproof plate and scatter the slit green chilies over them.

4. Prepare a steamer and steam the fish for about 20-25 minutes until they are cooked through.

5. Drizzle with mustard oil before serving. The strong aroma of mustard oil complements the dish perfectly.

3. Khichuri and Begun Bhaja (Fried Eggplant Slices)

Pairing khichuri with Begun Bhaja (fried eggplant slices) is a classic combination that brings comfort and flavor to rainy days. Begun Bhaja is simple to prepare and adds a delightful crunch to your meal.

Ingredients for Begun Bhaja:

• 1 large eggplant, cut into thin slices

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• Salt to taste

• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions for Begun Bhaja:

1. Sprinkle salt and turmeric powder on the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the eggplant slices and fry until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.

3. Remove the fried eggplant slices and drain excess oil on paper towels before serving.

4. Chingri Bharta (Mashed Prawn Curry)

Chingri Bharta is a flavorful Bengali dish that combines mashed prawns with spices and aromatics. It's a perfect choice for those who crave seafood on a rainy day.

Ingredients:

• 250g prawns, shelled and deveined

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2-3 green chilies, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

• Salt to taste

• Mustard oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Heat mustard oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until the onion turns golden brown.

2. Add the prawns, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook the prawns until they turn pink and are cooked through.

3. Remove the prawns from the pan and mash them well with a fork.

4. Return the mashed prawns to the pan and cook for a few more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

5. Serve hot with steamed rice.

5. Pitha (Traditional Rice Cakes)

Pitha is a traditional Bangladeshi snack often enjoyed during the monsoon season. There are numerous varieties of pitha, but one of the most popular is "Patishapta Pitha," which is a rice crepe filled with sweet coconut or jaggery filling.

Ingredients for Patishapta Pitha:

• 1 cup rice flour

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup grated coconut

• 1 cup milk

• 1/2 cup jaggery (or sugar)

• Ghee (clarified butter) for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the rice flour, all-purpose flour, and milk to make a smooth batter.

2. In a separate pan, melt the jaggery (or sugar) with a little water to make a thick syrup.

3. Add the grated coconut to the syrup and mix well.

4. Heat a non-stick pan or griddle and grease it with ghee.

5. Pour a ladleful of the rice flour batter onto the hot griddle and spread it thinly to make a crepe.

6. Place a spoonful of the sweet coconut filling along one side of the crepe, then roll it up like a spring roll.

7. Repeat the process with the remaining batter and filling.

8. Serve the Patishapta Pitha warm.

6. Bhutte ka Kees (Grated Corn Curry)

While not originally from Bangladesh, Bhutte ka Kees is a comforting dish that can be enjoyed on rainy days. It's a popular dish from the Indian state of Rajasthan and has found its way into the hearts and kitchens of many Bangladeshi food enthusiasts.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated corn

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2-3 green chilies, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• Salt to taste

• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

• Vegetable oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them splutter.

2. Add the chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

3. Add the grated corn, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the corn is cooked and slightly caramelized.

4. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

7. Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Soup)

A bowl of steaming hot Masoor Dal is perfect for warming up on a rainy day. This simple yet nutritious lentil soup is a staple in Bangladeshi households.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils (masoor dal)

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

• Salt to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the red lentils thoroughly and soak them in water for about 15 minutes.

2. In a pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.

3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Drain the soaked lentils and add them to the pot. Stir well.

5. Add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix everything together.

6. Pour in enough water to cover the lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are fully cooked and have a creamy consistency.

7. Serve hot with steamed rice or bread.

Conclusion

Rainy days in Bangladesh offer a unique opportunity to savor comforting and hearty meals. Whether it's a steaming bowl of Khichuri, the delightful flavors of Bhapa Ilish, the classic combination of Khichuri and Begun Bhaja, the richness of Chingri Bharta, the sweetness of Pitha, the fusion of Bhutte ka Kees, or the simplicity of Masoor Dal, these rainy day recipes will not only warm your body but also fill your heart with nostalgia and contentment. So, the next time the raindrops fall, head to the kitchen and prepare one of these delicious dishes to make your rainy day in Bangladesh truly special.