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Whip up Narkel doodh pulao and bhoger niramish paneer by Debjanir Rannaghor

Food blogger Debjani shares her take on two festive classics — perfect for Durga Puja or special meals

As the festive season approaches, Bengali kitchens come alive with the aroma of traditional delicacies. Food blogger Debjani Chatterjee Alam brings two classic dishes to your table: Narkel Doodh Pulao, a subtly sweet coconut milk rice, and Bhoger Niramish Paneer, a wholesome no-onion-no-garlic curry with paneer, potatoes, cauliflower, and peas. Both dishes are celebratory yet comforting, perfect for bhog, special lunches, or family gatherings.

Narkel Doodh Pulao

Ingredients

• Rice (Gobindobhog): 2 cups
• Coconut milk: 300 ml (approx. 2 cups)
• Coconut slices: 10 pieces from ½ coconut
• Cashew nuts: 25 g
• Raisins: 25 g
• Sugar: 2 tbsp
• Salt: 1 tsp
• Ghee: 3 tbsp
• Ginger paste: 1 tbsp
• Whole Spices:
• Cinnamon stick: 1
• Green cardamom pods: 4
• Black cardamom pods: 2
• Nutmeg (jaiphal): ¼
• Mace (javitri): 1
• Cloves: 5

Method

• Grind all whole spices into a fine powder
• Heat ghee, sauté the spice powder until aromatic, then add rice and sauté briefly
• Pour in coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Cover and simmer until rice is cooked
• Fry coconut slices, cashew nuts, and raisins in ghee separately and garnish the cooked rice

Bhoger Niramish Paneer Phulkopi Aloo Motorshuti Diye

Ingredients

• Paneer: 200 g, cubed
• Potatoes: 2 medium, peeled and cubed
• Cauliflower: 1 small, cut into florets
• Green peas: ½ cup
• Vegetable oil: 3 tbsp
• Turmeric powder: ¼ tsp
• Salt: to taste
• Milk: 1 cup
• Garam masala powder: ½ tsp
• Fresh coriander leaves: for garnish

Method

• Heat oil, add turmeric and salt, and fry potatoes until golden. Remove and set aside. Fry cauliflower until golden
• Lightly fry paneer cubes until golden
• In the same pan, add milk and bring to a simmer. Add fried potatoes, cauliflower, and paneer
• Simmer for 5–7 minutes, sprinkle garam masala, and garnish with coriander leaves
• Both recipes from Debjani bring the taste of traditional Bengali festive cooking to your home — one sweet and aromatic, the other wholesome and comforting — making them perfect for celebrating Durga Puja or any special occasion