Greetings everyone! This Mohammad Sumon! from #Bangladesh

^{Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well by the grace of the Almighty.}

Today, I am very excited to share my entry for the Contest organized by the Steem For Pakistan community. A special thanks to the community admin @suboohi Apu, for hosting such an engaging competition.

^{Spreading positivity and creativity through my words.}

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The Kitchen Diaries: 15 Minutes hug

This week's theme is 15-Minute Hug. The kitchen is a place where food not only fills the stomach but also speaks of our love and care for our loved ones. Today, I experienced for myself how much peace of mind a hot plate of simple food prepared in a hurry or in a moment of crisis can give. Today, I will share with you how a hot khichdi made with pulao rice and two types of dal in just 15 minutes became a warm hug of love for my ailing wife.

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Bhuna Khichuri

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^{Cover: Bhuna Khichuri}

The Story Behind It

Today was not an ordinary day like other days. Today was Friday, my day off. After working hard all day, my wife suddenly started feeling quite sick. She was unable to get out of bed due to her weak body, and she didn't even have the energy to cook. In such a situation, I was a bit hesitant about what to cook in a hurry in a family like ours. I wanted to make something that would be quick, nutritious, and would give her comfort in this sick body, so I planned it according to my wife's needs.

Suddenly, the thought of Bhuna Khichuri, the ever-familiar comfort food of our Bengali culture, came to mind. Made with fragrant pulao rice and a mixture of lentils and moong dal, the soft Khichuri acts like nectar on a sick body and is easy to digest. With the ingredients available at home and a few spices, I quickly put the pot on the stove. When I finished cooking, I took the steaming hot, fragrant Khichuri in front of her; the smile of relief on her face was the real meaning of this "15-Minute Hug" theme for me.

My Recipe & Making Process

Below is a complete list of the ingredients I used to make today's special and easy khichuri:

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Ingredients:

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• Polao Rice: 1 kg
• Lentils: ½ cup
• Mung Bean: ½ cup
• Chopped Onion: 2 medium
• Ginger-Garlic Paste: ½ teaspoon
• Turmeric & Chili Powder: a little
• Coriander Powder: a little
• Garam Masala Powder: a little
• Bay Leaves: 2
• Cardamom Powder: a little
• Cumin Powder: a little
• Green Chilies: 3-4 (sliced ​​from the middle)
• Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: As per taste

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Making (Step-by-Step Process)

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Step 1: Soaking the lentils and washing the rice and lentils

For the convenience of quick cooking, first, I soaked the lentils and moong dal together in a bowl with water for a while so that the lentils cook very quickly. Then I mixed the polao rice with the two-type of dal together, washed it well, and placed it in a blue plastic basket to drain the water.

Step 2: Boil and grind the spices

Then I put a silver aluminum pot on the stove and heated the oil. I lightly stirred the chopped onion, bay leaf, and sliced ​​green chillies in the hot oil. When the onion became soft, I added ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and salt to taste, adding a little water and grinding the spices very well until the oil floats on top of the spices.

Step 3: Grinding the rice and lentils and adding water

Once the spices were ground, I poured the drained polao, rice, and dal mixture into the pot. I mixed the rice and dal with the spices by lightly stirring for just 1 minute. Since the cooking time was to be completed in 15 minutes, to save time, I poured the hot water that I had already boiled into it. After adding the hot water, I increased the heat of the stove so that the dal would cook faster.

Step 4: Keep it on low and reduce it

After the water boils, I cover the pot and cook it on medium heat for 7-8 minutes. When the rice and lentils become soft, and the water dries up, and they become mushy, I sprinkle a little garam masala powder, cardamom powder, and cumin powder on top and reduce the heat to very low and reduce it to low for 1 minute.

Final Presentation (Serving)

After cooking, I took the steaming hot roasted khichuri into a beautiful bowl. I had some pre-cooked khasi meat in the fridge, so I heated it and arranged it with the khichuri. I added fresh green chillies, chopped cucumbers, and a piece of fragrant lemon to the plate. When I squeezed lemon juice on the hot khichuri and served it with green chillies and mutton in front of my wife, the atmosphere of the entire house changed.

^{Alhamdulillah, the final look of the delicious Khichuri with Tag}

The aroma of pulao rice and the combination of khasi meat made our ordinary dinner wonderful in an instant, Alhamdulillah! Every bite of this dish seemed to bring a strange strength and satisfaction to my sick body.

^{My selfie with the Khichuri I made}

Importance of Quick Recipes & Two Examples

I think that the importance of instant cooking recipes or quick recipes in real life is immense. In the busyness of modern life, sudden guests coming to the house, or emergencies like someone in the family getting sick, these quick-made meals act as our biggest protectors. Not only do they save time, but they also relieve stress.

Below are examples of two instant recipes that everyone in my family loves:

1. Shemai Pitha: Made with just 3 simple ingredients, this pitha is very popular as a quick snack in our house. It is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. In the first week of this kitchen diary series, I shared the recipe for this special Shemai Pitha that I made, which you can check out at this link Magic with 3: Shemai Pitha. If you suddenly feel like eating something sweet, it can be made in just a few minutes.

2. Noodles with vegetables: Another popular dish that can be made in just 10 minutes. Noodles made with any common vegetables and eggs at home work great to satisfy your afternoon hunger or as a dinner on a tiring day. InshaAllah, if I get a chance, I will share this recipe one day.

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Conclusion

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I believe cooking is not only an art but also a beautiful way to express love, care, and responsibility for our loved ones. During my wife's illness, this quick 15-minute khichuri was more than just a meal—it was a simple expression of affection and support. Alhamdulillah, the warmth and aroma of this homemade dish brought comfort during a difficult moment and reminded me that, in times of need, even the simplest meal prepared with sincerity can become the greatest source of comfort for someone we love.

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I have already successfully commented on the posts of those who have already participated in this contest to increase engagement: ✌️

• Comment 1
• Comment 2

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^{Camera Device: Samsung Galaxy A04}

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I would like to invite @ninapenda, @bossj23, and @saxopedia to participate in this contest. Hope to see your wonderful entries! 🙂

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If you enjoyed my post, feel free to upvote, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support keeps me motivated!

Thank you very much ❤️

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