West Bengal: Healthy FoodIn West Bengal they live on fish and vegetables. They eat fish with the bones. Fish, curry and rice are usually the main course. They eat very little meat. They also eat chickpeas and lentils as a source of protein. You will find that the spices and food that they cook with can be bought here in Australia. After their meals they use a mouth freshener called Pann which is a plant leaf. They drink tea 4 or 5 times a day.Want a healthy quick meal? Try this for a meal with lots of protein and vitamins!!!!! Chickpea Curry Serves 6 as a main course Serves 8 as a side dish Ingredients
250g dried chickpeas 3 medium red onions 250g tomatoes 3 lebanese cucumbers 1 bunch of fresh coriander Tamarind Paste mixture (see below) 2 black cardamoms 8 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks Coconut Ingredients for Tamarind Paste Mixture 4 teaspoons of tamarind paste 8 teaspoons of sugar 1 teaspoon mixed roasted cumin and roasted coriander seed (ground) 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 1 teaspoon fresh chopped coriander 1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon table salt 1/4 teaspoon rock salt (black salt)
Method 1. Soak chickpeas in 4-5 cups water overnight. 2. Boil the chickpeas with the cardomom, cloves, cinnamon sticks and 1/2 teaspoon salt (If boiling in pressure cooker- cook for 20 mins, if boiling in saucepan- cook for 50 mins 3. Drain the chickpeas and arrange in serving bowls Top with tamarind paste mixture, pinch rock salt, a sprinkle of dried cumin/coriander mix,finely chopped tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Spinkle with coconut if desired.
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