Ghugni (Dried Peas Curry)

         This is a very popular and a common breakfast menu in most Bengali household, especially  on weekends. It is also enjoyed as an evening tea-time snack and is a street food found in many parts of Eastern India. It can be relished as a chaat or with hot poori / paratha. Serve it along with some onion rings, green chilies and lemon wedges for a nice comfort meal. So do give it a try by checking the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this version of mine.

          Ghugni is basically soaked dried peas that is cooked into a gravy, with or without onion and served along with hot luchi (poori). For a non-veg. version it is sometimes cooked with mutton keema or mutton with bones. It tastes just divine.

          Even lean meat like chicken mince can be substituted. To conclude, this is an awesome side dish which has to be enjoyed to believe. 

          Another great option is to carry this quintessential dish on picnics or during train journeys. It is equally enjoyed by young and old alike. They are carefully packed in sealed containers along with some chopped onion, green chilies and lime wedges to be devoured later. 

• 1 cup dry green/white peas, soaked overnight
• 1 medium potato. cubed
• 3 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamom
• -5 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds 
• 1-2 onions, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste 
• 1 tsp. tomato paste / 1 tomato, pureed
• salt to taste 
• 1 tsp. cumin powder
• 1 tsp. coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 2 green chilies
• 1 tsp. ghee
• coriander leaves to garnish (opt)

          Pressure cook the soaked peas in 2 cups of water for 4-5 whistles or till soft. Keep aside. In a small bowl, mix together ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste and all the dry spices (except garam masala powder) and some water. Keep it aside. 

          Heat oil in a pan and fry the potatoes till light brown. Keep aside. Temper the same oil with cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the onions and stir fry till light brown. Now add the spice paste and sauté till the oil separates.

          Then add the boiled peas and the fried potatoes. Add green chilies and some more water if required. 

          Cover and cook till the potatoes are soft. When done, add the garam masala powder and ghee. Give it a stir and switch off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with Poori or paratha.

                                  Heat oil & fry potatoes till light brown. Keep aside. 

                    Temper same oil with cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves & bay
                     leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                 Add onions & stir fry till light brown. 

                                 Add spice paste & sauté till oil separates.

                                 Then add boiled peas & fried potatoes. 

                    Add green chilies & some more water if required. Cover & cook till the
                    potatoes are soft. 

                                 When done, add garam masala powder & ghee. 

                          Garnish with coriander leaves & serve hot with Poori or paratha.