20 Delicious Bengali Dishes You Must Try This Durga Puja

West Bengal is known for its rich culture. Bengali 'bhadralok' are a sophisticated lot who have always romanced the finer things in life, be it literature or films, music or cuisine. Amongst other things like Tagore and Victoria Memorial, Bongs take huge pride in their large selection of delicious foods. Durga Pooja is nearby and Bongs are all set to celebrate the Puja with their prayers and obviously with good food. Kolkata is a paradise for food lovers and who won’t enjoy their stay there on Durga puja!!! Though available in Bengali specialty Restaurants but these Bong recipes can be tried at home this Durga Puja or anytime you wish to have something, Bong!  I have tried to share recipe link of all the Bong food mentioned here and used recipes and pictures from my blog only. Here’re my “20 delicious Bengali Dishes to Try before You Die!”

1.  Aloo Posto or Biulir Daal

Aloo Posto is a classical Bengali dish and heart of this dish is “Posto “seeds or Poppy seeds. For Bongs “Aloo Posto” works as a comfort food. Posto is the commonest ingredient found in a Bong pantry and I believe one of the basic dishes that we Bongs started with as part of our cooking ventures.

Now it’s time to introduce the perfect companion of Aloo Posto which is “Biulir Daal”. A white semi Thick Daal prepared with Black Gram and tempered with Fennel Seed and Ginger paste and the result is heaven!

“Aloo Posto” and “Biulir Daal “are generally served with steamed rice and can be found easily in Bengali specialty Restaurants!

2. Bhetki Macher Paturi

Bhetki Macher Paturi is a signature Bengali fish dish where Bhetki Maach along with a paste of Mustard and Coconut wrapped in banana leaf and cooked in slow flame and result is melting in mouth Bhetki Macher Paturi. Here is the recipe of Bhetki Paturi that can be tried at home if you are available with fresh Bhetki fish.

3. Chingri Macher Malaicurry

Again another Classical dish; Chingri Macher Malaicurry / Malai Curry which symbolized Bengali cuisine in many places. There are lots of debates over the origin of this mouthwatering dish. Some people opined this dish was originated from Malay while some are in the opinion that the dish got its name from the Coconut Malai / Cream.

One of the common dishes for a Bong get-together…and why not! Anybody wants to fall for those Jumbo Prawns along with rich, thick coconut gravy. Generally ready with mild spices to give extra space to the divine aroma of Prawns and Coconut. Here’s the Recipe of Chingri Macher Malaicurry.

4. Chanar Dalna

Chana is not Paneer! It is strictly Chana curdled from milk and transformed into a no onion no garlic curry with big Potato chunks and the result is mouthwatering Chanar Dalna; the phenomenal Bengali vegan dish. You will only be able to differentiate between Paneer and Chana after having this Runny Curry.  Here goes the recipe link of Chanar Dalna.

5. Cholar Daal

A traditional Dish without using Onion or garlic again! That is what Bengali vegetarian dishes are about where we can’t add onion and garlic while cooking and one of the popular and top-ranked of the list is Cholar Daal which is a thick lentil soup prepared with Bengal Gram and flavored with pieces of coconut, raisins and a punch of Ghee. Mostly served with Luchi, Cholar Daal is a traditional Bengali Daal.

6. Dhokar Dalna

One more example of a Bengali dish with no use of Onions and Garlic in it – Dhokar Dalna. Though the recipe is a bit complicated but the result is not at all complicated. Basically “Dhoka” is “Lentil Cake” prepared with a blend of Bengal Gram paste and some spices and Dalna is the rich gravy flavored with Bengali Garam Masala and Ginger paste. Dhokar Dalna goes superbly with Luchi or Steamed Rice. Do try the Recipe and you will love it for sure.

 7. Doi Mach and/or Doi Ilish

Bongs just love their piece of fish! There are several types of Fish preparation available as part of the Bong Cuisine and “Doi Mach” is one of the best of the lot and not only that it is nothing but easy to prepare Doi Ilish. “Doi Mach” is mostly prepared with either Rohu or Hilsa is nothing but fish steamed along with plain curd and some green chilies and it tastes amazing! Here goes the Recipe link of Doi Maach with Rohu or Katla and Doi Ilish.

8. Ghee Bhat

Pulao has its own Bong variation which is known as Ghee Bhat. Sweet in taste and loaded with Julienne veggies and nuts Ghee Bhat is a rich Rice variety. Ghee Bhat can be accompanied with both veg and non-veg spicy curries. You can try the Recipe of Ghee Bhat at home if not available with a Bong specialty restaurant in your city.

9. Ilish Bhapa

Now it’s turn of the celebrity; the snob, the dynamic, the silver wonder Hilsa. This fish is popular for its taste, its aroma, and we bongs are nothing but fascinated about the big chunk of Ilish Mach along with Macher dim (Hilsa with fish egg). We don’t even bother to knock the door of the Prime Minister of the Country for getting it easily from Bangladesh!

Bhapa means “Steamed” and this particular dish “Ilish Bhapa” is a legend in the Bengali Cuisine.  A minimalistic recipe but the taste is amazing – Hilsa steamed with Mustered paste, Green Chilies, and Mustard oil and that’s all … Our celebrity fish does not like to be cooked with extra spices!!!! Should try it in either “Bhajahari Manna “or in “Ohh Calcutta” or if you want to make it at home; here’s the recipe of Ilish Bhapa.

10. Kochi Pathar Jhol

What would be the easiest way to describe a Bong’s Sunday!!!! Well, it has to be a bit lethargic, many cups of tea and obviously 2-3 different newspapers and discussion about anything and everything and finally. A grand lunch with Bhat and Kochi Pathar Jhol.

Watery Mutton curry with pieces of potatoes visible and that heavenly aroma! Bongs can never detach themselves from this typical Bengali Mutton dish. Easily available in any Bengali specialty Restaurant but Kochi Pathar Jhol can be prepared easily at home with ease.

11. Kolkata Biryani

Though the name is a bit weird but not the dish! We Bongs are very good in addition and alteration and the best example is Kolkata biryani… Derived from the Awadhi Biryani; Kolkata Biryani is characterized by the presence of a big piece of Potato along with meat and Egg within.

A plate full of royal flavored yellowish white rice and 1-2 pieces of Mutton/Chicken, 1 full boiled egg and a big chunk of Potato! What else? I need one more plate…..

One should Visit “ARSALAN”, “India Restaurant”, “Shiraz”, “Royal”, “Aminia”, Aliya, or “Dada Boudir Hotel” for this exotic delicacy while in Kolkata! Though one of my personal favorite is “Khaja Biriyani Centre“, a small Biriyani Shop near Kalighat. To get the real taste of biriyani so you need to visit ARSALAN. Arsalan is the best biriyani centre in Kolkata.

 12. Hing er Kachuri or Aloor Tarkari

Small, round wonders prepared with care! A true Bengali breakfast can’t be completed without Kachori’s flavored with Hing and accomplished with a runny Aloo sabzi! Deep fried flatbread prepared with all-purpose flour or Maida and stuffed with Hing and Dal is known as Hing er Kachori and Aloor Tarkari is a Potato delicacy flavored with Bengali spices! Do try the recipe of the authentic Hing er Kachori and Aloor Tarkari.

13. Misti Doi

Now it’s turn of the popular dessert “Misti Doi” and please minds the accent!!!!!! “Mistii Dooooi”… Thickened curd flavored with good amount of sugar and set in earthen pot ….  A unique blend of curd and earthen flavor coming from the bowl or hundi used for setting the curd.

Misti Doi is available in almost each and every confectioner in Kolkata but you should visit “Sen Mahashay” or “Ganguram” or “Mollar Chawk” for your pot of Doi.

14. Muri Ghonto

Though the name is a bit weird, Muri Ghonto is one of the signature dishes from Bong Cuisine prepared with Rice and head of Fish (mostly Rehu Fish/ Rui Mach or Katla fish) and we mostly have it with plain rice. Muri Ghonto is one of the unique dishes where Rice is added in a side dish to give it a body. Here goes the recipe of Muri Ghonto if you are a fishetarian and love to have the fish head.

15. Egg Roll

Though popular as Kathi Roll in other states but typical Kolkata Rolls available in almost every tiny road of Kolkata are different from the Non-bong version of it. Roll can be prepared with Chicken or Mutton but the basic version i.e. a simple roll prepared with Egg is probably the best of the lot. In case you are not based out of Kolkata and wish to have authentic Egg roll then you can try out the recipe of Kolkata style Egg Roll.

16. Pithe / Pitha

Pithe / Pitha are typical Bengali Cakes mostly prepared in winters. both Sweet and Salty versions are available, though sweet versions are popular than the salty versions. to name with “Gokul Pithe”, “Ras Bara”, “Patisapta”, “Golap Pithe” are quite common. It’s not that easy to get Pithe other than Patisapta in any shop so ask your Bong friends to help with a box full of Pitha. Here goes the recipe of Patisapta Pitha.

17. Potoler Dolma

We love our veggies as well as not so veggies and love to make a mix and match!!! Jokes apart.  Let me introduce Potoler Dolma; a dish which derives its name from Turkish cuisine where Dolma means stuffed vegetables. This classic Bengali dish is prepared with the pointed guard as its heart which is conventionally stuffed with mutton keema but also found with other stuffing varieties as well for e.g. stuffing prepared with Chicken, Fish, Paneer, Daal etc.

18. Shorse Bata diye Maach er Jhal

Even Barak Obama was served with this signature fish curry prepared with Mustard paste known as Shorse Bata diye Macher Jhal. A deadly combo of Fish and Mustard paste, Macher Jhal is truly a Bong signature dish. Here goes the recipe link of the authentic Shorse Bata diye Macher Jhal.

19. Shukto

Shukto, the divine one! Shukto is a Mix –Veg dominated by a bitter guard and with runny gravy and prepared with as many as 8-9 types of veggies. Taste wise nothing can beat it! A True Bengali Thali is incomplete without Shukto. Shukto can be found in any Bengali Restaurant including “Bhajahari Manna” an “Ohh Calcutta”. A Bong cook is certified probably by his/her ability to make Shukto. Here is the Recipe of Shukto to try it out at home.

20. Sandesh

Rosogolla’s are worldwide popular Bong Dessert but Sandesh is nothing but charming! Be it a Pranhara or a Kancha Golla or may be Jal Bhara Talsans … Sandesh is many faced but tasty in its every Avatar.Prepared with curdled milk and flavored with various ingredients Sandesh are widely found in Bong sweet shops!!!! However, there are some must visit places in Kolkata which are “Bhim Chandra Nag “, “Nokur”, Girish Chandra De”, “Balaram” which are famous for this sweet Bengali delicacy. I am sharing the recipe of Kancha Golla which is one of the popular varieties of Sandesh.

Courtesy: kitchenofdebjani.com

Happy Durga Puja to you all!!!

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