Green Papaya Bharta (Kacha Peper Bhorta- Bong Style)

 

            Green Papaya Bharta / Kacha Peper Bhorta is a very simple and a fuss-free Bong recipe. It is typically boiled and mashed Green Papaya mixed with few seasonings which is then enjoyed with hot steamed rice. It is a great comfort food for me when time is a constraint. This quick and simple dish is so satisfying and heavenly. 

          Having the boiled and mashed green papaya with just a tsp. of ghee or mustard oil is another great option and also tastes yummy. However, in this recipe, I added a tempering of nigella seeds, dry red chilies and onion in mustard oil. A handful of chopped coriander leaves is then added to the end product to make it more flavorsome. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional cuisine. 

• 1 medium size green papaya, peeled & roughly chopped
• 1-2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 2-3 whole dry chilies
• 1 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1 pinch of turmeric powder (opt)
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

         Pressure cook the papaya for 3-4 whistles. Mash or grate it and keep aside. 

         Heat oil in a pan and temper with nigella seeds and red chilies. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the onion, turmeric powder and salt. Fry till light brown. 

          Add the boiled & mashed papaya and mix well. 

          Add coriander leaves and give it a mix. 

          Serve with hot steamed rice for a comforting meal.

                   Pressure cook the papaya for 3-4 whistles. 

                Mash or grate it and keep aside. 

Heat oil in a pan & temper with nigella seeds & red chilies. Sauté for a few seconds.

                         Add the onion, turmeric powder & salt. 

                    Fry till light brown. 

                Add the mashed papaya and mix well. 

                   Add coriander leaves and give it a mix.

               Serve with hot steamed rice for a comforting meal.

           Serve with hot steamed rice for a comforting meal.

Raw Papaya & Coriander Root Soup

         This is a very healthy and a refreshing one-pot meal. It is good for the tummy and has a very soothing and a cooling effect. It can be enjoyed as it is or with some bread sticks / croutons and a dash of lime for a light comfort meal. A hot bowl of this yummy soup is just perfect to warm you up on a cold wintry night. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

          Raw papaya is very healthy as it contains vitamins, enzymes, essential nutrients and minerals. It beats diabetes, aids in weight loss, improves digestion and helps beat constipation. 

          I have also added some coriander roots for a lingering aroma. It is packed with iron, improves digestion and lowers blood sugar. It also has anti fungal properties and is good for the skin. 

           So this rare combination of raw papaya and coriander roots in a soup form is just perfect for a healthy light meal. 

• 1 cup raw papaya, chopped
• 1 cup coriander roots
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies
• 2 cups stock / water
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder 
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• pinch of red chili flakes
• dash of lime

            Heat oil and temper with bay leaves and cinnamon. Add the onion, garlic and green chilies. Sauté till it is translucent.

           Add the raw papaya and coriander roots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.  Add all the dry spices and give it a stir. 

          Add 2 cups water / stock and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. When cool, discard the bay leaves and cinnamon. 

          Blend to a smooth puree. Heat through and garnish with coriander leaves and red chili flakes. 

          Enjoy with bread sticks / croutons and a dash of lime for a light comfort meal.

                                 Heat oil & temper with bay leaves & cinnamon. 

                                Add onion, garlic & green chilies. Sauté till light brown.

                                Add raw papaya & coriander roots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

                                 Add all the dry spices and give it a stir. 

                 Add 2 cups water / stock & pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. When cool, discard 
                 bay leaves & cinnamon stick. Blend to a smooth puree.

                  Garnish with coriander leaves & red chili flakes. Enjoy with bread sticks /
                  croutons and a dash of lime for a light comfort meal.

Chicken Soup

          This is a very easy and a yummy chicken soup cooked in coconut water. I added some green papaya, but you can add any other veggies of your choice. The lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves gives this soup a bit of a citrus aroma which is very refreshing. 

          This soup is just perfect to warm up on a wintry night. It is a wholesome meal in itself that can be enjoyed as a light dinner too. If preferred you can pair it with some cooked rice for a soul satisfying meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

           Chicken is a lean meat and has proteins and contains antioxidants that improves our immune system. Raw papaya is a healthy veggie having a lot of vitamins, enzymes, minerals and nutrients. 

          Lastly, Coconut water is less in fat and calorie. It also contains antioxidants.  So the entire combo is extremely healthy and flavorful.

• 1 cup boneless chicken cubes 
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger, chopped
• 1/2 cup raw papaya, cubed
• 2 cups fresh coconut water
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 5-6 kaffir lime leaves
• 1-2 stalks lemongrass (only the white part)
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves to garnish

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onion, ginger and garlic till slightly translucent. Add the chicken and continue to stir fry till light brown.

          Add the green papaya, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coconut water, salt and pepper. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

                      Heat oil & sauté onion, ginger & garlic till slightly translucent. 

                      Add the chicken and continue to stir fry till light brown.

                       Add the green papaya, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves,

coconut water, salt and pepper. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. 

                                  Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

Green Papaya & Chia Seeds Pudding / Kheer

           I tried to deviate from the normal kheer/ pudding that is usually prepared during this time of the year for Durga Puja. So prepared Green Papaya Chia Seeds Pudding / Kheer, that is rarely done in any household and is very uncommon. But frankly speaking it is an equally yummy dessert. You've got to prepare to believe it.

           It is a very soothing and a refreshing kheer with the goodness of chia seeds and of course green papaya for its soothing effect. I sometimes have it as a side dish with parathas or puri. It's simply divine. So go ahead and give it a try and serve it chilled, garnished with saffron and chopped pista.

• 1 cup grated raw papaya
• 2 tbsp. chia seeds soaked in 1 cup water overnight
• 1-2 tbsp. ghee
• 500 ml milk
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• pinch of salt
• sugar to taste
• 2-3 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• pinch of saffron
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. kewra / rose water

           Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the grated papaya for 2-3 minutes. Keep aside. Bring the milk to a boil. Add the green cardamoms and a pinch of salt and simmer for 4-5 minutes.

          Add the papaya and continue to simmer on a low flame, by stirring at intervals. When the papaya turns soft, add the sugar and the chopped pistachios (reserving some for the garnish).

          When the kheer turns slightly thick, switch off the flame. Add the kewra / rose water, cardamom powder and the saffron. 

          Just before serving, add the soaked chia seeds. Garnish with the remaining pista and serve it chilled in individual bowls. 

Green Papaya Kheer / Pudding

       
          I tried to deviate from the normal kheer/ pudding that is usually prepared during this time of the year for Durga Puja. So prepared Green Papaya Kheer, that is rarely done in any household and is very uncommon. But frankly speaking it is an equally yummy dessert. You've got to prepare to believe it. 

         Raw Papaya Kheer is a very soothing and a refreshing kheer which I sometimes have as a side dish with parathas or puri. It's simply divine. So go ahead and give it a try and serve it chilled, garnished with saffron and chopped pista.

         

• 1 cup grated raw papaya
• 1-2 tbsp. ghee
• 500 ml. milk
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• pinch of salt
• sugar to taste
• 2-3 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• pinch of saffron
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. kewra / rose water

          Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the grated papaya for 2-3 minutes. Keep aside. Bring the milk to a boil. Add the green cardamoms and a pinch of salt and simmer for 4-5 minutes.

          Add the papaya and continue to simmer on a low flame, by stirring at intervals. When the papaya turns soft, add the sugar and the chopped pistachios (reserving some for the garnish).

          When the kheer turns slightly thick, switch off the flame. Add the kewra / rose water, cardamom powder and the saffron. 

          Garnish with the remaining pista and serve it chilled in individual bowls.