Mehebub was horrified when I told him what my new blog post is about! A true blue Bengali one-pot meal and I believe one of the most underrated ones! Look-wise below average but taste-wise and more importantly considering “Comfort” this one-pot meal is one of its kind. The Bengali One-pot meal I am talking about is humble Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha. By the way, my worse half is confident that next, I will be writing about Dim Shiddho, Aloo Shidhho, and Fena Bhat! Maybe I am and why not! After all, these are the dishes we have eaten while growing up!
Three days, change of props but I was not satisfied with the pictures I was capturing. Somehow, I wasn’t able to capture the experience, the story, the emotion! Moreover, it is a bit difficult to capture soggy food as a treat to the eyes. Then came the time when I was going through all the clicks and I found a few pictures from the 2nd lot which were able to express the story! The story of the Bengali Households I call home! The story of the not so good looking food which is similar to me; an average bong who is not a special someone yet loved by a few. Who would have thought humble Doi Chire will give me that much pain 😀 .
This year I have decided to come up with a few recipes with Mangoes and already have written about Aam Kasundi, Mango and Date Lassi. I hopefully will be coming up with a few more recipes with Mangoes. This particular blog post is not about a recipe (though the recipe is here) instead it is more about the experience. The experience of growing up in a 175 years old Bengali Middle-class Hindu household in Kolkata. The experience of being married to a member of a Bengali Muslim family from Suburb who are middle-class again. Most importantly, the experience of savoring Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha at both the houses I call home and the house which is my abode now.
Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha is a famous Bengali One-pot meal. A Big fat bowl consists of Ripe Mango aka Aam, Banana aka Kola, Chire aka Beaten Rice and Doi aka Misti Doi aka sweet Curd is nothing but bliss. By the way, “Makha” stands for “mashed” in Bengali and this particular process calls for your right hand but not a spoon to make the divine mash of Mango, Banana, Misti Doi and Beaten Rice that we call Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha. This combo is known as “Phalar” as well. Phalar aka Falahar is the Swattyik form of food. Though in Bengal Phalar stands for something prepared with fruits and eaten while Fasting. Yes, We do eat while fasting 😛 .
You may not know about the Chire Doi Makha if you are not a Bengali or Assamese or Bihari or have not had the amazing bowl somewhere. You may find the combination unappealing or you may not! How about thinking about your breakfast porridge bowl or the Flake bowl! Yes, you read it right. Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha is our favorite breakfast bowl or lunch-bowl or a bowl of fasting food.
At my Parents! Joi Mongolbarer Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha!
“Maa I will not have Bhat for lunch today! I know you are having the “Joi Mongolbar Pujo” today! Also, I have seen Mukti dada, was making the horrible Jire-morich paste for Macher Jhol! Moreover, I have seen Baba purchasing Misti Doi from Bhim Nag while returning home from my school! This means you are going to have the Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha! I also want that Maa!”
I never fail to inform my mother that there will be no rice and fish curry lunch for me when her food would be the divine bowl full of Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha! such charming thing it used to be! this was all through my sophomore years. This then followed by carrying The summery afternoon of Kolkata when Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha to the university. I used to travel by local train and it was a journey of 4 hours (to and fro) every day. At that time the comforting bowl of fruits, curd, and Beaten rice was perfect during the summer heat!
Here I must mention the years I was in Bihar. A state which is known for brilliant Mangoes and a dish that requires no cooking at all. Needless to say, I preferred the Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha for breakfast while living there alone in Bihar.
At the In Law’s! Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha as part of the Sehri!
Who would have thought the humble Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha is equally loved at the In Law’s! I didn’t! However, it was great to know that this dish is something they prefer at my In Law’s for “Sehri!” Such comforting the humble bowl of Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha is! In my In-law’s place, they are into a very simple lifestyle and simplistic approach toward life. They are not much into the Non-veg and prefer simple food as well. Probably the reason they love the simple bowl of comfort as Sehri.
At My Abode, now! Pasta’s favorite Chire Aam Doi Kola Breakfast!
Pasta cherishes the Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha as much as her parents! That says it all about our favorite summer special one-pot meal! She has inherited the preference of her Grandmothers from both sides I suppose.
To make Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha!
Now that I have discussed almost everything about where and how I had the Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha, I must now share how do I prepare the divine one-pot meal. first of all, the recipe does not call for cooking if you are using store bought Curd. The rest is just mixing everything and Voila! Here I must mention, Sugar is the easily available option, however, do try the Doi Chire with Gurer Batasha ( Indian Jaggery Candies) and thank me later 🙂 . Oh, One more thing, if available with a “Sondesh” or two add it to the Doi Chire! Last but not the least, “Himshagar” mango works best with this dish however the choice is yours. You may opt for Lyangra, or Alphonso or any available variety.
- Serves: 2 People
- Serving size: 250g
- Calories: 594
- Fat: 7.5g
- Saturated fat: 4.1g
- Carbohydrates: 119.4g
- Sugar: 84.7g
- Sodium: 511mg
- Fiber: 8.7g
- Protein: 21.1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
- Ripe Mango: 2
- Banana: 2
- Beaten Rice/ Chire: 100g
- Misti Doi/ Sweet Curd: 250g
- Sugar: 2 Tbsp. (I use Batasha though)
- The Mangoes, Banana, and Curd must be chilled! However, if not available with a refrigerator soak mangoes in cold water for an hour or so.
- Take Chilled Mangoes and Cut the Stem and soak in Water for 2 Hours.
- Refrigerate the Mangoes while soaking.
- Once done soak the Beaten Rice or Chire in water for 5 minutes and discard the water. Wash the Beaten rice for 2-3 times.
- Take the Soaked Chire in a bowl along with the Misti Doi (Sweet Curd) and Sugar.
- Peel the skin of the Mangoes and cut into cubes and add to the bowl.
- Peel the skin of the banana as well and cut into small pieces and transfer into the bowl.
- Now mix everything. Add little milk if the mixture is too thick. You can replace milk with some more Misti Doi
- Serve it Chilled.
Chilled fruits and Curd work best with this recipe. However, you may use the ingredients at room temperature as well.
Sugar can be replaced with Jaggery or Batasha.
You may increase or decrease the amount of the mangoes, bananas, curd and Beaten rice based on your preference.
A Few more Mango Recipes apart from the comforting bowl of Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha from Debjanir Rannaghar:
- Aam Kasundi aka Bengali Style Mustard and Mango Sauce
- Mango Mint Date Lassi | Mango Mint Date Smoothie
- Mango Salsa with a bong touch!
- Eggless Mango Mousse in Chocolate Cups
- Mango Mastani
- Mango Jam
- Kacha Aamer Ambol | Runny Bengali Mango Soup | Amer Tawk
- No Bake Mango Cheesecake with Paneer | Mango Cheesecake
Have you tried the Aam Kola Doi Chire Makha Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Do let me know how it came out. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. On Instagram, you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar or can tag me at @foodofdebjani.
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