Taj Gateway bringing back the Rajbarir Khawa Dawa

What will be your reaction when you get to taste the season's first Ilish wrapped in banana leaf, steamed with milk, yogurt and mustard that is melting in your mouth or biting on a crispy Fish roll or Macher Kachuri with sada aloo hing morich, or a slow cooked melting in mouth mutton curry that brings back the essence of traditional Bengali cooking when the Mutton got to cook for hours on the faded flame of a Mud made stove!! It is nothing but a delectable journey where stories from the past enchant the atmosphere and unfold the sumptuous spread. Yes, you can experience the essence of  Raj Barir Khawa Dawa through the traditional Bengali dishes curated by Executive Chef Asish Kumar Roy of The Gateway Hotel (Taj). How three hours spent in a wink we (KFBians) hardly realized. Chef Asish patiently explained each and every dish how/why he curated, created and the story behind it. The dishes mostly in the menu are the dishes which are influenced by the foreign invaders and given the authentic Bengali dishes a twist. Attaching below more detail about the event.

"The Rajas or Nawabs were probably the original connoisseurs to wield major influence on Bengali society as well as their food. With their luxurious lifestyles, the rajas took immense interest not only in the foods they ate but also in the way food was prepared. Influenced by famous Rajbaris of West Bengal and in keeping with their culinary traditions, The Gateway Hotel, Kolkata, is set to celebrate “Raj Barir Khawa Dawa” from May 21^st onwards.

Historical trends have always influenced food. The influence of Rajbaris at the Raj Barir Khawa Dawa is evident from the different delicacies planned for the festival. The “Gumo-aanch er mangsho” or  meat cooked in slow fire by putting the dying charcoals on top, originated from Murshidabad, and is a classic example of food influenced by the “Dum Cooking”. Bardhaman’s Rajbari has influenced the “Lyangcha”, which is a deep fried sweetmeat dipped in sugar syrup.

The impact of the two centuries of British Rule (1757–1947) over Bengali cuisine can never be overstated. Sovabazar Rajbari, a regular place for evening hang-outs of the British Officials back then, was famous for its “Fish Roll” that had a western touch to it. The Fish Roll features prominently in the Raj Barir Khawa Dawa fest. As do to the Safed Ilish and Lal-Mangsher Pulao from the Cooch-Bihar Rajbari that has Rajasthan leanings.

The Gateway Hotel, Kolkata, will take you back in time as you savour these and other Rajbari delicacies from times gone by. The Raj Barir Khawa Dawa culinary extravaganza will be hosted at the Buzz for Lunch (12:30PM-3:30PM) and Dinner (7:30PM-11:30PM) from May 21, 2016onwards."

Pocket Pinch:

The Dishes will be served as a set menu:

Nonveg: 650/- (INR) to 850/- (INR)

Veg: 550/- (INR) to 750/- (INR)

Fish Roll

Macher Kachuri with sada aloo hing morich

Begun Basanti

Potoler Dorma

Dudh Ilish

Lal Mangsher Polao

Gumo aanch er mangsho

Aam Sandesh

Thank You Kolkata Food Blogger  for the invitation.

Narkol Posto Rui (Rohu fish with coconut and poppyseeds)

Quick post with a quick recipe. I love coconut so as anything out of Posto/poppy seeds. I was never a kind of fish lover. But as you grow old your taste buds change too. Now I love eating fish more than any-other non veg items at the same time love trying different kind of fish recipes. This one I made in a hurry but it really came out well. Do try it and let me know how much you liked it.

Ingredients:

Rohu Fish blocks - 5pcs

Poppy Seed - 2 tblsn

Coconut (Scrapped/grated) - 1 cup

Potato - 1 small cut in cubes (optional)

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tspn

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tspn + 1/4 tspn

Salt & Sugar as per taste

Green Chillies - 2- 3

Mustard oil - To fry the fish

Method:

1. Rub 1/2 tspn turmeric and salt to the fish blocks.

2.  Paste the poppy seed and coconut in a smooth paste. You can green chilli to the paste too to enhance the taste more.

3. Heat oil in a Kadai. Fry the fish till it turns light brown. 

4. After taking off all the fish from the kadai, make sure there is only 3/4 tbspn oil is remaining. If you have more in the Kadai then take out the excess oil. If adding potot then you can fry the potota with that excess oil.

5. Add mustard seed in the remaining oil. then the potatoes if adding. fry for a couple of minutes. Then add the poppyeed paste. Add the remianing 1/4 tspn turmeric powder. Stir well for a while (2-3 minutes). Add water (1 cup - See notes). Bring in to boil then add the fish. Add salt and sugar as per taste. Once the pototo is boiled, take it off the gas. Add green chilies and serve with hot rice.

Notes:

1. If you are not adding potato then add 1/2 cup or more water just for cooking the fish and the gravy consistency you want. 

2. You can add curry leaves and coriendar leaves too to enhance the taste more.