Bengali everyday sabzi · Panch phoron
Chorchori Recipe (Bengali Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry)
Panch phoron tarka. Hard veg first. Cook dry.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenChorchori is a dry Bengali mixed vegetable dish, tempered with panch phoron and finished with a little mustard paste. It turns mushy or bland when everything is stewed together. The fix is a strong panch phoron tarka, adding vegetables in order of how long they take, and cooking with very little water until it is dry and lightly caught.
The 3 laws of chorchori
Why this recipe works
Plain cumin
The five seeds give the Bengali flavour.
All together
No mush.
Watery
Lightly caught bottom adds flavour.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Chorchori
The NineFoods chorchori gauge
Is it done?
Look at the bottom of the pan.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Tarka
- Crackle panch phoron and chillies in mustard oil.
Vegetables
- Add potatoes and beans first, then pumpkin and eggplant, then greens.
- Add turmeric, salt and a splash of water; cover.
Dry
- Add mustard paste and sugar; cook uncovered. Use the gauge above.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
All in together.
Fix next time
Add in order.
Why
Weak tarka.
Fix next time
Use panch phoron and mustard oil.
Why
Lid on too long.
Fix next time
Finish uncovered.
Why
Panch phoron burnt.
Fix next time
Fry only until fragrant.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Panch phoron | Signature | Cumin, fennel and mustard seeds |
| Pumpkin | Sweetness | Butternut squash |
| Mustard paste | Kick | Wholegrain mustard |
| Mustard oil | Flavour | Vegetable oil |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Rice and dal.
Store
Fridge 2 days.
Reheat
Dry pan.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is it done) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Chorchori FAQ
What is chorchori?
A dry Bengali mixed vegetable dish.
What is panch phoron?
A Bengali blend of five whole seeds.
Is chorchori vegan?
Yes.
What vegetables can I use?
Potato, pumpkin, eggplant, beans, radish and greens.