Delicious Bengali Echorer Dalna: A Jackfruit Delight

Welcome to this comprehensive recipe guide for making delicious Echorer Dalna, a beloved Bengali dish prepared with raw jackfruit. This recipe showcases the unique flavors and textures that can be achieved with this versatile ingredient. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a curious home cook, you'll enjoy the rich blend of spices and the vibrant aroma that fills your kitchen as you prepare this dish. Let's dive into the details.

Ingredients

1 kg raw jackfruit, cut into cubes 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 large onion, chopped 4-5 cloves garlic, minced 1 inch ginger, grated 2 green chilies, slit 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chili powder 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp sugar Salt to taste 3 tbsp mustard oil, divided 1 bay leaf 1 cinnamon stick 2 cloves 1 cardamom pod 1 tbsp ghee (optional)

Instructions

Boil the jackfruit: Pressure cook the jackfruit cubes with a little salt and water for 2-3 whistles. Drain the excess water and set aside. Fry the potatoes: Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil in a pan. Add the potato cubes and fry until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Tempering: Heat the remaining mustard oil in a pan. Add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pod. Once they sizzle, add the chopped onion and green chilies. Sauté until the onions turn golden brown. Add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for a few more seconds. Add spices: Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Sauté for a few seconds until the spices are fragrant. Combine ingredients: Add the boiled jackfruit and fried potatoes to the pan. Mix well and cook for a few minutes. Add water to adjust the consistency of the gravy. Add salt and sugar to taste. Cover the pan and cook on low heat until the flavors are well blended and the gravy thickens. Finish: Add a dollop of ghee for extra flavor (optional). Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

Tips

You can adjust the spice level to your preference. If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can boil the jackfruit in a pot of water until it's tender. For a richer flavor, you can add a spoonful of cashew paste to the gravy.

Enjoy the perfect blend of jackfruit and spices in this authentic Bengali dish. Whether you're serving it for a special occasion or a casual meal, Echorer Dalna promises to give your table a delightful touch. Bon Appétit!