Patra Poda Machha, Bihari Arna and Kachumber Salad

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup Gobindobhog Rice (Or any short-grain aromatic rice)
• 1 cup Jaggery (Grated or powdered)
• 4 cup Full-Fat Milk
• 1.25 cup Water (Divided use: 1 cup for rice, 1/4 cup for jaggery)
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 4 pods Green Cardamom Pods (Lightly crushed)
• 1 tbsp Almonds (Slivered, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Cashews (Chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Rice

   • Rinse the Gobindobhog rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
   • Soak the rice in fresh water for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain all the water completely and set aside.
2. 2

   Cook the Rice

   • In a heavy-bottomed pot or pan, combine the drained rice and 1 cup of water.
   • Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the rice is soft and has absorbed all the water.
   • Gently mash the cooked rice with the back of a spoon or a masher to break it down slightly. This helps create a creamier texture.
3. 3

   Make the Jaggery Syrup

   • While the rice is cooking, combine the grated jaggery and 1/4 cup of water in a small saucepan.
   • Heat over low-medium heat, stirring continuously until the jaggery has completely dissolved into a smooth syrup.
   • Turn off the heat and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any impurities. Set aside to cool down to a lukewarm temperature.
4. 4

   Simmer with Milk

   • Pour the 4 cups of full-fat milk into the pot with the mashed rice.
   • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the milk from scorching at the bottom.
   • Continue to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the milk has thickened and the mixture is creamy.
5. 5

   Combine Jaggery and Milk (Crucial Step)

   • Remove the thickened rice-milk mixture from the heat and let it cool for 5-7 minutes. It should be warm, not piping hot.
   • Ensure the jaggery syrup has also cooled to lukewarm. This temperature synchronization is key to preventing the milk from curdling.
   • Slowly pour the lukewarm jaggery syrup into the warm rice-milk mixture, stirring continuously until fully incorporated.
6. 6

   Finish and Thicken

   • Return the pot to very low heat. Add the ghee and the crushed green cardamom pods.
   • Stir well to combine and let it simmer gently for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the arna to reach its final, thick consistency.
   • Turn off the heat. The arna will continue to thicken as it cools.
7. 7

   Garnish and Serve

   • Transfer the Bihari Arna to serving bowls.
   • Garnish with slivered almonds and chopped cashews.
   • Serve warm or chilled according to your preference.

Ingredients

• 200 g Red Onion (about 2 medium, finely chopped)
• 240 g Tomato (about 2 medium, deseeded and finely chopped)
• 300 g Cucumber (about 1 large, peeled and finely chopped)
• 1 pc Green Chili (optional, finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
• 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 0.25 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color and mild heat)
• 0.5 tsp Chaat Masala
• 0.5 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder (bhuna jeera powder)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Vegetables (8 minutes)

   • Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
   • Peel the cucumber and finely chop it. Deseed the tomatoes and finely chop them.
   • Finely chop the red onion. If using, finely chop the green chili.
   • Place all the chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
2. 2

   Combine and Season (1 minute)

   • Add the roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt to the bowl with the vegetables.
   • Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the mixture.
3. 3

   Toss and Serve (1 minute)

   • Add the freshly chopped coriander leaves.
   • Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with spices.
   • Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and crunch. Do not let it sit for long after adding salt.