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Mutton Tehari

September 2, 2018 By Maumita Paul Leave a Comment

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Mutton TehariPin

Was your homeland more beautiful than this? A curious eight year old me asks Grandma one autumn afternoon, proudly holding up a crayon sketch.
Grandma is on her rocking chair, her leather-bound Ramayana on her lap, I sit on the red oxide floor of the daalaan that separates our living quarters from the backyard, a motley of colour pencils, sharpener trimmings and crayons littered around me.
It was even more beautiful, Grandma responds, a twinkle in her eye.
Then why did you leave your homeland ? I enquire, still focussed on further embellishing my sketch.
There is radio slience.
Then why did you leave your homeland ? I reiterate impatiently, looking up, a decibel or two louder than before.
The cloud that almost instantaneously eclipses the sublime smile on Grandma’s countenance makes even the-far-from-grown-up-me perceive at once I have trespassed into a disputed zone that I should not have had.
Grandma does not respond, instead rises from her rocking chair, walks to her room and silently closes the door behind her.
Very un-Grandma-sque, I make a note to myself.
But the brain of a nine year old is not yet wired to handle complexity, so chooses to ignore the event.

Afternoon melts into evening.
The heavens paint themselves a riot of frenzied reds, the gaggle of geese return home, conches blow in the neighbourhood and when Grandma skips her customary evening tea, I know something is amiss.

Maa why’s Grandma so forlorn ? A perplexed me finally asks Maa, desperately seeking an explanation.
You must have been naughty, Maa answers casually, immersed in her novel.
No Maa I promise, I assert, I was painting with my crayons.
She didn’t even have her tea, I added as an afterthought.
Is she unwell ? Maa asks me, rushing out of the room to check on Grandma.

More silence.

Bapi returns from the hospital.
Maa has a conversation with him in hushed tones.
Bapi hurries to Grandma’s room.

You are my princess, aren’t you ? Bapi tells me once things have thankfully reverted to normal.
There are some questions that make Grandma very sad. I am sure my princess doesn’t want to see her Grandma sulking.
Of course I don’t, I insist, tears rolling down my eyes.
But I did not ask any question Bapi, I hardly find my words.
Don’t ask Grandma about Partition, Bapi calmly counsels, wiping my tears with his handkerchief.
What is Partition, quizzes an innocent me.
You shall learn when you grow up, for now, never ask Grandma why she left her homeland.
I shall never do that, I promise, I submit sobbing unstoppably now.

That evening Bapi requests Maa to cook her Mutton Tehari for him and conversations flow into late evening.
Bapi’s growing up in Sylhet. His medical school in Dhaka, his friends and Chachi’s celebratory Mutton Tehari on special occasions.
(Bapi’s ploy, I would conclude a good decade later, to explicitly emphasize only happy memories in front of Grandma)

Years later I would be confronted with the brutal ravages of partition that the family braved and how life was too traumatized to ever be the same again.
Grandma had never really recovered, that sublime smile cleverly concealed a deep anguish that manifested on rare occasions as these and she lived in optimistic hope that the day would arrive when she would return to the land of her forefathers.
Alas !!

Mutton TehariPin

Mutton Tehari. A symphony of indigenous rice and Mutton. A melange of fragrant spices. A generous glug of mustard oil. And a throw of fiery green chillies.
This is not biryani. This is tehari.
Food heaven !!!

Mutton TehariPin

Mutton Tehari

Mutton Tehari. A symphony of indigenous rice and Mutton. A melange of fragrant spices. A generous glug of mustard oil. And a throw of fiery green chillies. This is not biryani. This is tehari. Food heaven !!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bangladeshi, Bengali

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g mutton cut into medium sized pieces
  • 2 cups tulaipanji rice washed and drained (you can use gobindobhog as well)
  • 3/4 cup beresta or fried onions
  • 3 tbsp yogurt whipped
  • 4 onion finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp ginger paste
  • 2 tsp garlic paste
  • 10-12 green chilies slit
  • 3 tbsp tehari spice powder
  • 4 green cardamom
  • 2 one inch cinnamon
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup mustard oil
  • salt to taste

For the tehari spice powder

  • 2 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 7-8 green cardamom
  • 2 one inch cinnamon
  • 1/2 nutmeg
  • 1 floret mace
  • 1/2 tbsp black pepper corns
  • 3 bay leaves

Instructions
 

For the Tehari Spice Powder

  • Dry roast all the ingredients other than mace and nutmeg. Allow the spices to release their aroma.
  • Transfer to an electric grinder, add the nutmeg and mace, grind to a fine powder. Store it in an air tight container.

For the Mutton Tehari

  • Marinate the mutton with yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, 1 tbsp of the Tehari Spice Powder and 1 tbsp mustard oil, refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, even better if it can be left to rest overnight.
  • Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan, throw in the sliced onions, fry till light brown.
  • Add the mutton along with the marinade, throw in 4-5 green chilies, sprinkle in the salt and ½ tbsp of the Tehari Spice powder, continue to cook over a low heat till oil starts to release from the masala.
  • Add 1/2 a cup of warm water, bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Transfer to a pressure cooker. Cook over a medium flame, 3 whistles I would reckon. Allow the steam to release on its own.
  • Separate the mutton pieces from the gravy, keep aside in two separate bowls.
  • Heat the remaining mustard oil in a deep bottomed pan, throw in the bay leaves, crushed green cardamom and cinnamon, allow the spices to splutter.
  • Gently stir in the mutton gravy, cook over a low flame till it reduces to just a coating consistency.
  • Now add the rice, give a gentle stir, taking care not to break the grains.
  • Add 4 cups of warm water (golden rule - rice and water should always be in a 1:2 ratio), sprinkle in 1 tbsp of Tehari Spice powder and salt to taste.
  • Cover and cook till almost half of the water has been absorbed.
  • Gently place the mutton pieces on the rice, throw in half the fried onions and the remaining green chilies, sprinkle in ½ a tbsp of the Tehari Spice powder.
  • Cover and cook till almost all the water has been absorbed, by which time the rice should be done.
  • Switch off the flame, add the remaining fried onions, cover and allow to rest for a further 10-12 minutes. Mix gently, serve hot.

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Filed Under: Bengali Recipes, Rice and Bread Tagged With: Bangladeshi Ranna, Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Food styling, Bengali Mangsho Photography, Bengali Mangsho Recipes, Bengali Mutton Recipes, Bengali Recipes, Bengali Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen, Food Blog, Food Blogger, Food Photography, Food Styling, Indian Food Photography, Mutton Curry Food Photography, Mutton Curry Photography, Mutton Recipes, Mutton Tehari, Non Vegetarian, Opar Banglar Ranna, Rice Recipes, Tehari, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Tulaipanji Rice

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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
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Maumita Paul
And the affair with gur continues..... Any guesses And the affair with gur continues.....
Any guesses what’s in the making this evening?.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #pithepuli #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
There is always light. If only we are brave enough There is always light. If only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it !!
 @amandascgorman you are a genius!!!
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Submitting this to “Dark and Moody” challenge by @neethuthomasphotography and @twiggstudios . #mymysticlight 

Also submitting this to “Chiaroscuro” challenge by @happytummybyritumbhara and @stemsandforks . #foodphotobiteswithritu 
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 #food52 #tv_foodlovers #hautecuisines #capturethemoment #foodstagram #foodstyling #foodmaking @hautescuisines #indianfoodbloggers #foodpornography #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #theuncommonbox #darkphotography #capturingmoments #acreativevisual #darkandmoody #stilllife_perfection #moodylight #tastingtable #official_photography_hub #indianshutterbugs #styleonmytable #foodphotography #foodart #simpleandstill #wintervibes #lifeandthyme #moodygrams
When life gives you nolen gur, you go crazy with p When life gives you nolen gur, you go crazy with pithe puli and payesh. 
And then you make a delectable nolen gurer panacotta ❤️❤️❤️
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Recipe link is there in bio.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #nolengur #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #photography #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #pannacotta #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a c Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a cup of masala  tea as the evenings get a tad bit colder !!! 
Any takers ? ❤️ .
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Recipe link is there in bio. 
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 #desi_diaries #storiesofkolkata #theuncommonbox #bengalifood #india_undiscovered @ig_calcutta @stories.of.kolkata #official_photography_hub #teatime #foodgasm #foodstyling #chai #foodphotography #homemade #ig_calcutta #eatseasonal @india_undiscovered @walkwithindia @tv_stilllife #tasteofkolkata #foodporn #gastronomad_m #foodtalkindia #walkwithindia #kolkatabuzz #indianshutterbugs #foodstylist #canonphotography #calcuttacacophony #onlyinbengal #snack #foodstories #acreativevisual #chai #singara #sundayvibes
Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to my heart. 

One of those days when I miss Grandma dearly and yearn to return to childhood and relish all the delectable pithe puli she would make !!! 
Happy Sankranti everyone !!!

On the plate 
Khejur Gurer Patishapta, Doodhpuli, Teler Pitha, Nolen Gurer Payesh and Soru Chakuli.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
New blog post ❤️ And every year, around Sankr New blog post ❤️

And every year, around Sankranthi, the chitoi pithe moulds make a magical re-appearance from the hidden vaults of the windowless sunlight-starved and perennially musty and damp bhnaarar ghor (pantry), illuminated by a lone naked incandescent bulb, before being dusted, scrubbed, soaked, dried and then used in vehement anger for the Sankranti festivities, only to disappear once the euphoria of the harvest festival subsides.
A use and throw culture has still not invaded our lives and the fact that this rather inexpensive non-descript humble artifact is used on just a couple of occasions around Sankranti every year makes not an iota of difference to the magnanimous love and care it receives.
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To read more and try this recipe of Doodh Chitoi , direct link is there in bio. 
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen i Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen is in manic frenzy this morning steaming some stunning Bhapa Pitha. 

I have always preferred freshly ground rice flour to store-bought ones. And my hand-free 1400w hamiltonbeach JMG ensured the rice was ground to fine flour, just as I wanted it, in a blink .
(Also do check the coarse, medium and fine grinding options available which gives us such luxury of choice -  I opted for the fine option for the rice flour)

And  here’s my recipe for the quintessential Bengali Bhapa Pitha / Assamese Keteli Pitha. 
Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain from water. 
Allow the rice to dry over a newspaper or muslin cloth to drain any excess water. 
Use your Hamiltonbeach JMG to blitz the rice to a fine powder.
Transfer the rice flour to a bowl, add a pinch of salt, mix well.
Splash a little water to the rice flour, start mixing with your hand. The texture of the dough should be crumbly and just damp enough. Splash water in small increments, we don’t want a wet batter here.
Sieve the moist flour .
Take a kettle, fill it half with water and bring to a boil.
Wrap the lid of the kettle with a damp muslin cloth.
Spread a layer of the rice flour uniformly over the cloth.
Add 1 tsp of freshly grated coconut on the rice flour, followed by 1 tsp of chopped jaggery And finish it with another layer of rice flour. Press gently, take care to not press it too hard.
Wrap with another piece of moist muslin, put the lid back on over the boiling water.
Steam for 10-12 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid from the kettle. 
Gently remove the outer muslin cloth. Use a sharp knife along the edges of the lid to un-mould the pitha..
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#BigBoxOfLove

#SayToHelloPerfection #ProResultsAtHome #HamiltonBeachIndia #CookLikeAPro #fbciofficial

@hamiltonbeachindia, @fbciofficial @grainandgrowth .
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #glutenfree #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #sankranti
The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is s The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is sheer magic – Pillowy rice flour parcels with a tiny morsel of patali hidden in the center. Stewed in milk perfumed with even more patali gur.
Have a bite, Grandma coaxes.
And the molten patali bursts out of the shackles of the rice flour cocoon.
The fragrance of patali and the perfume of rice leave my palate enthralled.
I take another bite.
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If you want to try this , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced han Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced hands effortlessly remove the pithe from the oil and immerse them in the jaggery syrup, but even before Maa can warn me, I have snatched one and bitten into the gokul pithe.
My tongue is singed.
And for that odd moment, I am all numb.
Minutes, that feel like days, pass.
And then the taste sinks in, sublime, a mellifluous symphony of grated coconut and jaggery.
This is food heaven !!!
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals

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