The BONG Cuisine- A summary

Bengali cuisine can be subdivided into four different types of dishes, charbya or food that is chewed, such as rice or fish; choṣya, or food that is sucked, such as ambal and tak; lehya, or foods that are meant to be licked, like chutney; and peya, which includes drinks, mainly milk. Although the food habits, tastes, preferences and choice of items vary with different districts, communities and religions, the basic course generally remains the same with rice and fish playing a dominant role. Probably this is why a Bengali is often typified as a ‘Maache-Bhaate-Bangali’ where Maach means fish and Bhaat means boiled rice in Bengali.

A daily meal of a Bengali comprise of various items served course-wise however is much simpler than the ones prepared during occasions and festivals. Fish, mutton, goat, chicken and eggs of chicken and ducks are usually consumed across Bengal while beef is consumed by the Muslim community. Mustard oil is mostly used in preparing different dishes barring a few delicacies. Use of whole black mustard seeds either as phoron or as a paste in different cuisines are also very much in league with Bengali dishes. Kashundi, a special sauce prepared out of mustard paste is savoured with Shak served with boiled rice and with different other fried items like fish fry.

West Bengal is famous for an array of things, and one of the most important of them is food. The mouth-watering Rosogullas, Chomchom, and Rasamalai, the super tasty Sorshe Ilish and Chingri Macher Malai Curry and but a few of the mouthwatering and tempting food of the highly illustrated and exquisite Bengali cuisine. Make a mental note, Bengalis love poppy seeds. They really do and why won't they, it makes food so much tastier! This preparation above is also made of poppy or Posto as the Bengalis like to call it. It is a preparation of Posto with potatoes and pointed gourd, complete with red and green chillies and sometimes coconut puree to add some much-needed spice to it. It truly is one of the classic Bengali dishes and famous food of West Bengal.

One of the much-favoured fishes in the region, Hilsa or ilish fish curry is something that you have got to try your hands on. The pungent smelling curry prepared with Nigella seeds and chilli to give it the required balance that makes it so perfect. You have got to try this one as it one of the staple food of West Bengal. The most popular sweet from the Bengali state, this dish is made of khoya, a version of condensed milk and is heavenly in taste. This sweet is neither overly sweet thus allowing people with a non-sweet tooth to enjoy too. One should definitely try this delectable West Bengal food item.