Bengali dry fruits payesh, a festive rice pudding cherished across West Bengal, is an indulgent yet comforting dessert traditionally prepared to celebrate birthdays, religious occasions, weddings, and harvest festivals like Poila Baisakh or Durga Puja, where it is offered as bhog (sacred food) before being served to guests; its preparation begins by simmering short-grain fragrant…
Tag: #Bengali
Nutritious Bengali Potoler Dolma: A Plant-Based Delight
Potoler Dolma, a Bengali classic, becomes wonderfully wholesome in its WFPB version, where pointed gourds (potol) are stuffed with a plant-based filling instead of the traditional non-vegetarian or oily mixes. The stuffing can be made with spiced lentils, mashed chickpeas, moong dal, or a mix of vegetables like grated carrot, bottle gourd, peas, and crumbled…
Mochar Ghonto: Traditional Bengali Banana Blossom Curry
Mochar Ghonto is a quintessential Bengali vegetarian delicacy made with mocha—the banana blossom—slow-cooked with potatoes, grated coconut, and an aromatic medley of spices. In many Bengali homes, especially during festive vegetarian days or when guests prefer a no-onion, no-garlic spread, this dish holds a place of pride. Preparing mochaa is a labor of love: the…
Bengali Rice Payesh (Rice Dessert)
Kheer/Payesh/Payasam is so typically Indian. Other cultures may have these, but I am not sure. In my young days, payasam was prepared on special occasions like festivals, birthdays, special occasions, etc. The idea of a cake or any other sweet dish was unheard of. I remember all my birthdays till I was 16 (I left…
Shukto (Bengali Mixed Vegetable Curry)
I never thought that I would learn to like and enjoy Bengali cuisine – and yet, I did. When I was first introduced to Bengali food by a friend, I ate it out of politeness. My friend is a generous soul and kept on inviting me and our common circle of friends for meals –…
Aloo Posto (Potatoes And Poppy Seeds)
Aloo posto is nothing but a preparation of potatoes in a paste of poppy seeds. It tastes delicious and is a very famous Bengali dish. It is often eaten along with rice and lentils. It is very easy to prepare. I like potatoes in any form. I’d heard of aloo posto but had never tried…
Begun Bhaja (Roast Eggplant)
I had never been a fan of the large, round eggplant. That’s primarily because it is most often used to make bharta (mashed eggplant), which I am not very fond of. I subscribe to an organic food basket where I get 10 kgs. of vegetables every week – whatever is grown in the farm. And…
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