For a Bengali, a rustic bowlful of Shukto is an emotion. It often triggers memories of childhood. Although slightly bitter, Shukto is a Bengali dish that deserves respect. Shukto has an exceptional flavour. It is somewhat sweet and somewhat bitter. Yet, each of the vegetables in it retains its individuality. The way it is […]
Shojne Pata er Borar Jhol is another Bengali dish from the Bengali kitchens of yore, which definitely needs some limelight. This traditional Bengali dish called Shojne Pata er Borar Jhol or Bengali Style Broth with Moringa Leaf Fritters is an almost forgotten Bengali dish that has humble origins but is so flavourful that it […]
I love Bengali-style pickles and chutneys. Bengali spice blends used for making pickles have a distinct flavour and are highly aromatic, yet not overpowering. This unique vegetarian and vegan salad is one of my signature recipes using traditional Bengali pickling ingredients. Each bite of this salad offers freshness, tartness, sweetness and spice… all […]
I never thought that I am good at making breads, until I challenged myself in lockdown. Cooking and baking are two of my favourite things and during these lockdown days in Mumbai, I cling more to my passion as they help me to stay active and positive throughout the day. Baking bread was never […]
Making the best out of waste is actually a very common thing in Bengali households since generations. Bengalis have been cooking with a variety of peels and dishing up the traditional and humble “Baata” or “paste” as a first course with rice. Bengal has seen famine and struggle in its history. So, using every […]
The Indian festive season is over. We are back to eating light, but balanced meal. I make sure that my family gets atleast one kind of vegetable to eat every day. And I love sticking to traditions. Traditional Bengali cooking advocates the “root to stem” style of cooking, reducing food wastage by utilising almost every […]
Mochar Ghonto or মোচার ঘন্ট is a Bengali vegetarian dish with banana blossoms. It is an age-old traditional Indian recipe. The word “Mocha” does not relate to coffee in Bengali. Rather, it is the blossom of banana, which grows in plenty all over West Bengal. The best-tasting banana flowers are from those Banana trees […]
Daal Shukno or Dal Shukhono is a simple, yet delicious Bengali dish made with red lentils, which can be served as a first or second course with rice during lunch or dinner. Better still, it can also be served as the only course in a Bengali meal. As a Bengali commoner would do in Gram […]
This Ilish Maacher Dimer Tenga is my absolute favourite. Its rich colour and a pleasant sweet-n-sour taste is quite unlike Bengali fish preparations. Often, a traditional Assamese thali-style meal culminates with a Tenga dish. An incredibly easy recipe with fish, the Assamese Tenga has many versions. You can experiment with any kind of fish […]
Today is 1st February 2017, and this year, the Indian festival of Saraswati Pujo or Basant Panchami falls on this day! As a Bengali who studied in Raisina, New Delhi, Saraswati Pujo is nostalgia. It reminds me of the preparations done by the “senior students” in the school, days in advance. It reminds me […]