Bhogi Special- Mix Veg & Bajra Roti/ Bhakri

Bhogi...a day before Sankranti!! Sankranti is celebrated as a 'harvest festival'. Its winter time, lots of fresh vegetables are harvested. At some places, Bhogi is also celebrated as a worship to 'Lord Indra', "the God of Clouds & Rains".

Really don't know very well about the rituals, but there was something which made me wait for this day....the wonderfully 'sesame' flavoured 'Mix Veg' & 'Bajra Bhakri with sesame seeds on it'....served warm & is the food specialty of the day..again, sesame/til being the main ingredient!! I have been following this thing after my marriage & do not skip preparing this food delicacies & doing a simple pooja at home.

Thought of posting this Maharashtrian specialty for you all, but do let me know your way of celebrating this festival....would love to know about it.

Bhogi Special- Mix Veg & Bajra Roti/ Bhakri

Serves: 2-3                      Preparation Time: 20 mins               Cooking Time: 15-20 mins

Ingredients:

The Veggies used

1 purple brinjal, chopped

1 cup broad beans, cleaned & broken

1/2 cup fresh chickpeas

1 small carrot, peeled & chopped

1/4 cup fresh/ frozen green peas

8-10 dry peanuts

1 medium tomato, blanched in hot water for 5 mins & peeled

1 tbspn sesame seeds (dry roast & powder) + 1 tbpsn roasted sesame seeds

1/2 tbspn kashmiri red chilly pwd

1/2 tbspn red chilly pwd

1/2 tbspn home made kala masala/ 1 tsp garam masala

   1/2 tsp haldi pwd

   1/2 tsp mustard seeds

   1/2 tsp cumin seeds

   3-4 tbspn oil

   1 1/2 cup water

For the Masala/ Gravy:

1 small onion, thinely sliced

2 tbspn dry grated coconut

3-4 cloves garlic

small piece of ginger

few strings of coriander

                                                                                    1 tsp oil

                                                                                    salt as per taste

Step 1: Mix & wash all the vegetables.

Step 2: Heat a pan. Dry roast the grated dry coconut. Set aside.

Step 3: Add 1 tsp oil. Roast the onion slices till translucent. Set aside.

Step 4: Puree the blanched tomato.

Step 5: Blend the 'Masala/ Curry' ingredients into fine paste. Set aside.

Step 6: Heat oil in a kadhai. Add mustard seeds & cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add tomato puree. Fry till water evaporates.

Step 7: Add the 'Masala/ Curry' paste. Fry till oil seperates. Add haldi & spice powders. Saute for a min.

Step 8: Add all the Vegetables. Mix well. Add water. Let it cook on medium heat for 8-10 mins. Check the consistency of the gravy as per your choice. Serve hot with Bajra Roti/ Bhakri & ghee!!

Bajra Bhakri with Sesame seeds & Ghee Wish u all a very HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI!!