Of course, we go pandal-hopping for all the right reasons, that have to do with religion. But also for reasons relating to the palate. While many of us do our fasts, there still is a large section of us who still love to bite into our chickens and fish this time of the year. And now since even the international food chain Dominos has gotten non-vegetarian pizzas off a few outlets, and the friendly momo guy has gone on chutti, we suggest pandal-hopping is your best bet.
Find light snacks, fried ones, rich curries, rice, and deserts. Few dishes you must try this Durga Puja, some at pandals and some, at your bengali friends’ homes.
Here is a list:
Jhal Muri
This light spicy snack made of spicy puffed rice has a Bengali twist, the mustard. Puffed rice is tossed with potatoes, cucumber, tomatoes, tamarind pulp and mustard oil. For the uninitiated, keep a glass of water, or glasses of water nearby.
Shorshe Bata
The Hilsa fish is a delicacy in Bengali cuisine. It is traditionally prepared in various different ways – Bhapa Illish is steamed, Doi Illish is cooked in curd, then there is Illish Macher Begum Aloo Jhool, hilsa cooked with potatoes and spices, but the favourite that you must try is Shorshe Bata, a signature hilsa cooked in mustard. Have with maida luchi or rice.
Mochar chop
Fried and absolutely interesting, banana blossoms and potatoes are made into a cutlet. It has an intrinsic sweet flavour, and the spiciness comes bhaja moshla, a homemade assortment of masalas.
Malai chingri
A rich curry, made of prawns, coconut milk is best had with steamed rice or maida luchi. Many claim this dish has its antecedents in Malaysia, and is not truly Bengali by birth. Irrespective, this one is a winner.
Koshaa mangsho
A signature Bengali dish, it is mutton cooked over slow fire to make it tender. It is a concoction of heady spices, and had best with sweet rice.
Bhapa doi and Rashogulla
The traditional Bengali flavour of Bhapa Doi, made with a concoction of yogurt and condensed milk, perfectly compliments the sweetly succulent Rasogulla.
So here is a short list of must have’s for this Durga Puja. What others do you thing we should definitely indulge in, drop us a comment to let us know.
