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Sabarna Roy Choudhury Barir Pui Chingri

September 29, 2019 By Maumita Paul 1 Comment

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Pui ChingriPin

In 1610, a good eight decades before the British acquired the zamindari rights of Sutanuti, Gobindopur and Kalikata from the Sabarna Roy Choudhurys, Lakshmikanta Roy Choudhury and his wife Bhagavati Devi started the city’s first Durga Puja in Barisha. A legacy that proudly continues to this very date.

The Sabarna Roy Choudhurys were the first to offer prayers to the Goddess, alongside her four children. And Lord Kartik, whose worship till then was largely restricted within the native tribes of Bengal, was venerated as the Crown Prince of the celestial pantheon here.
To know more about the Sabarna Roy Choudhury Durga Puja, read this inspiring post by Subhadip.

Animal sacrifice during the Pujas have long been banned.
However the Sabarna Roy Choudhurys do offer the Goddess an array of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies – Pui Chingri, shrimp cooked with Malabar spinach, being one of the specialties.
Another unique highlight is charred Lyata Maach offered to the deity during the auspicious Sandhi Pujo.
On the Doshami morning what graces the bhog to the deity are the humble panta bhaat (Fermented Rice, Bengali style), kochu shaak diye ilish maacher matha (Hilsa Head with Taro Stem), chaltar chutney (elephant apple chutney) among others.

Note the ingredients here – pui shaak, kochu shaak, chalta, kucho chingri, ilish maacher matha etc – So very indigenous to Bengal, so redolent of her land and rivers.
And why not ?
Shes after all the daughter of Bengal, on her sojourn to her parents place after a long year, she has missed home, the greens and the fish and cannot wait to savor these delicacies.

In this post, the second of my Bonedi Barir Mahabhog series, I recreate the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family’s Pui Chingri recipe, following the exact steps as shared by one of the members of the family.
The outcome, a delectable symphony of Pui Shaak, shrimps and a melange of autumnal vegetables.
That left my taste buds ecstatic and overjoyed.

Pui Chingri – Pui Shaak or Malabar spinach cooked with shrimps and a medley of vegetables. No pretence, not a touch of  arrogance, simple, humble and earthy,  yet finger-licking delicious.
Heirloom recipe of the Sabarna Roy Choudhurys.
And I am grateful to them for allowing me to share this with my readers.

Enjoy !!

PS – Please do not reproduce the content without appropriate permission.

Pui ChingriPin

Sabarna Roy Choudhury Barir Pui Chingri

Pui Chingri - Pui Shaak or Malabar spinach cooked with shrimps and a medley of vegetables. Humble and earthy, yet finger-licking delicious. Heirloom recipe of the Sabarna Roy Choudhurys. Enjoy !!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 12-15 medium sized prawns de-shelled and de-veined
  • 300 g pui shaak or malabar spinach
  • 3/4 cup potato cut into cubes
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin cut into cubes
  • 3/4 cup ridgegourd cut into cubes
  • 1 tsp panch phoron
  • 3-4 dry red chilies
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1.5 tsp red chili powder
  • 5 tbsp mustard oil
  • sugar to taste
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Remove the pui leaves from the stems, wash thoroughly, roughly chop and keep aside. If the stems are tender, cut into 1- 1.5 inch long pieces, wash thoroughly and keep aside. If not tender, I would recommend avoiding using the stems.
  • Marinate the prawns with a little salt and turmeric powder, keep aside.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan, fry the prawns. Keep aside.
  • In another pan, heat the remaining mustard oil, throw in the red chilies and panchforon. Allow the spices to splutter.
  • Add all the vegetables, saute over a medium flame for 5-7 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the red chili powder, a little salt and the remaining turmeric powder, saute for a couple of minutes.
  • Now add the chopped pui leaves and stems, cook over a medium flame. Do not add any water. The pui and the vegetables shall release a lot of water and shall get cooked in their own juices. Continue to cook till the pui and vegetables are almost done.
  • Throw in the prawns (along with oil in the pan). Give it a hearty mix.
  • Add the sugar, adjust seasonings. Cook for another 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.
Keyword Bengali Fish Curry

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Filed Under: Bengali Recipes, Fish and Seafood Tagged With: Bengali Chingri Curry, Bengali Chingri Recipes, Bengali Fish Curry, Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Recipes, Bengali Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen, Bhoger Ranna, Bhoger Recipe, Bonedi Barir Durga Puja, Bonedi Barir Durga Pujo, Bonedi Barir Mahabhog, Bonedi Barir Ranna, Chingri Curry Photography, Chingri Maach, Chingri Maach Recipes, Chingri Mach Recipes, Durga Pujar Bhruibhoj, Durga Pujo, Durga pujo recipes, Durga Pujor Ranna, Food Photography, Golda Chingri Photography, Golda Chingri Recipes, Indian Food Photography, Mahabhog Recipes, Malabar Spinach, Prawn, Pui Chingri, Pui Shaak, Sabarna Roy Choudhury, Sabarna Roy Choudhury Barir Durga Pujo, Sabarna Roy Choudhury Barir Pui Chingri, Sabarna Roy Choudhury Barir Pujo, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Traditional Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen

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Comments

  1. shar

    March 24, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    wow what a lovely presentation. i loved your narrative and enjoyed the hard work you have put into this piece. keep it up.

    Reply

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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
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Maumita Paul
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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 #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
Natorer Luchir Payesh!! A sandwich, if I can use t Natorer Luchir Payesh!!
A sandwich, if I can use the liberty of an analogy, of two luchis with a divine gurer kanchagolla filling in between. Fried to a gorgeous golden. And dipped into a notun gur perfumed payesh just before serving.
You do not want it soggy, Grandma would religiously remind Maa every time, that would ruin the fun of the dish.
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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
This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love for rice. Not just rice, any new harvest. Any fresh produce of the soil. Her soil. As she would proudly assert.
Wasting rice in our growing-up years was never an option. Not even a single grain. This is the labour of love. She would remind Dada and me whenever we fussed about food. This is the culmination of months of back-breaking labour. Respect the grain. Respect the farmer.

Cut to the present. My chire has just arrived. Ordered online and delivered at the doorstep by a logistics company. I am blissfully ignorant of what rice went in to prepare this chire. And the farmer shall remain an unacquainted stranger to me. As would his family who possibly helped as well.
Food has reduced, I ruminate, to being impersonal, hasnt it, the consumer and the producer separated by more degrees than my mind can decipher. The price I guess for the comforts of modern life.
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To read more and  try chirer doodpuli , 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
Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to sna Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to snatches of emotional upheavals. Reminiscing more and more of her home in sylvan Sylhet.
Chachi was our neighbour. Born in Bikrampur near Dhaka. Married to a trader family in Sylhet. She brought with her to Sylhet the delectable Bibikhana Pitha from her home town. And every year she would lovingly welcome winter, the new harvest, the fragrant rice and the notun gur with her Bibikhana Pitha.
So here it is, the incredibly delicious Bibikhana Pitha. From Bikrampur in Bangladesh. 
Bliss !!! 
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If you want to try this 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 #foodie #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #glutenfree #creatingmemories

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