bengali cuisine

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BENGALI CUISINE Bengali cuisine is a style of food preparation originating in Bengal , a region in the eastern South Asia which is now divided between the Indian state of West Bengal and the independent country of Bangladesh . With an emphasis on fish and lentils served with rice as a staple diet, Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle flavours, its confectioneries and desserts, and has perhaps the only multi-course tradition from India that is analogous with the likes of French and Italian cuisine in structure. Traditional Bengali cuisine The traditional society of Bengal has always been heavily agrarian ; hunting, except by some local clans men, was uncommon. However, cattle rearing have been common as reflected in use of milk primarily for sweets and desserts. Also, as one would assume, general food at home is different from that served during functions and festivals and again very different from what might be served a larger gathering (e.g. a marriage feast). An abundant land provides for an abundant table. The nature and variety of dishes found in Bengali cooking are unique even in India. Fish cookery is one of its better-known features and distinguishes it from the cooking of the landlocked regions. Bengal's countless rivers, ponds and lakes teem with many kinds of freshwater fish that closely resemble catfish, bass, shad or mullet. Bengalis prepare fish in innumerable ways - steamed or braised, or stewed with greens or other vegetables and with sauces that are mustard based or thickened with poppy seeds. Bengalis also excel in the cooking of vegetables. They prepare a variety of the imaginative dishes using the many types of vegetables that grow here year round. They can make ambrosial dishes out of the oftentimes rejected peels, stalks and leaves of vegetables. They use fuel-efficient methods, such as steaming fish or vegetables in a small covered bowl nestled at the top of the rice cooker. The use of spices for both fish and vegetable dishes is quite extensive and includes many combinations not found in other parts of India. Examples are the onion-flavored kalonji seeds,radhuni and five-spice or paanch phoron(a mixture of cumin, fennel,

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Page 1: Bengali Cuisine

BENGALI CUISINE

Bengali cuisine is a style of food preparation originating in Bengal, a region in the eastern South Asia which is now divided between the Indian state of West Bengal and the independent country of Bangladesh. With an emphasis on fish and lentils served with rice as a staple diet, Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle flavours, its confectioneries and desserts, and has perhaps the only multi-course tradition from India that is analogous with the likes of French and Italian cuisine in structure.Traditional Bengali cuisineThe traditional society of Bengal has always been heavily agrarian; hunting, except by some local clans men, was uncommon. However, cattle rearing have been common as reflected in use of milk primarily for sweets and desserts. Also, as one would assume, general food at home is different from that served during functions and festivals and again very different from what might be served a larger gathering (e.g. a marriage feast).An abundant land provides for an abundant table. The nature and variety of dishes found in Bengali cooking are unique even in India. Fish cookery is one of its better-known features and distinguishes it from the cooking of the landlocked regions. Bengal's countless rivers, ponds and lakes teem with many kinds of freshwater fish that closely resemble catfish, bass, shad or mullet. Bengalis prepare fish in innumerable ways - steamed or braised, or stewed with greens or other vegetables and with sauces that are mustard based or thickened with poppy seeds.Bengalis also excel in the cooking of vegetables. They prepare a variety of the imaginative dishes using the many types of vegetables that grow here year round. They can make ambrosial dishes out of the oftentimes rejected peels, stalks and leaves of vegetables. They use fuel-efficient methods, such as steaming fish or vegetables in a small covered bowl nestled at the top of the rice cooker.The use of spices for both fish and vegetable dishes is quite extensive and includes many combinations not found in other parts of India. Examples are the onion-flavored kalonji seeds,radhuni and five-spice or paanch phoron(a mixture of cumin, fennel, fenugreek, kalonji, and black mustard). The trump card of Bengali cooking probably is the addition of this phoron, a combination of whole spices, fried and added at the start or finish of cooking as a flavouring special to each dish. Bengalis share a love of whole black mustard with South Indians, but the use of freshly ground mustard paste is unique to Bengal as it is used to make fish curry gravy or in the preparation of steamed fish. Mustard paste called Kasundi is an accompanying dipping sauce popular in bengal.Fish and meatFish is the dominant kind of meat, cultivated in ponds and fished with nets in the fresh-water rivers of the Ganges delta. Almost every part of the fish (except fins and innards) is eaten; the head and other parts are usually used to flavor curries. The head is often cooked with dal or with cabbage.More than forty types of mostly freshwater fish are common, including carp varieties like rui (rohu), koi (climbing perch), the wriggling catfish family of tangra, magur, shingi and the pink-bellied Indian butter fish, the pabda katla, magur (catfish), chingŗi (prawn or shrimp), as well as shuţki (small dried sea fish). Chingri could be of varieties - kucho (varieties of shrimp), usual (prawns), bagda (tiger prawns), and galda (Scampi).

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Shorshe Ilish, a dish of smoked hilsa with mustard seeds paste, has been an important part of both Bangladeshi and Bengali cuisine.Salt water fish (not sea fish though) hilsa (hilsa ilisha) is very popular among Bengalis, can be called an icon of Bengali cuisine. Ilish machh (hilsa fish), which migrates upstream to breed is a delicacy; the varied salt content at different stages of the journey is of particular interest to the connoisseur, as is the river from which the fish comes - fish from the river Pôdda (Padma or Lower Ganges) in Bangladesh, for example, is traditionally considered the best. To some part of the community, particularly from West Bengal, Gangatic Ilish is considered as the best variety.

Fried Rohu served in Dhaka, Bangladesh.There are numerous ways of cooking fish depending on the texture, size, fat content and the bones. It could be fried, cooked in roasted, a simple spicy tomato based gravy (jhol), or mustard based with green chillies (shorshe batar jhaal), with posto, with seasonal vegetables, steamed, steamed inside of plantain leaves, cooked with doi (curd/yogurt), with sour sauce, with sweet sauce or even the fish made to taste sweet on one side, and savory on the other. Ilish is said be cooked in 108 distinct waysChicken is a late entrant into Bengali cuisine relative to mutton. Khashi, the meat of younger goats, is preferred.VegetablesThe variety of fruits and vegetables that Bengal has to offer is incredible. A host of gourds, roots and tubers, leafy greens, succulent stalks, lemons and limes, green and purple eggplants, red onions, plantain, broad beans, okra, banana tree stems and flowers, green jackfruit and red pumpkins are to be found in the markets or anaj bazaar as popularly called.CerealsBengali people are primarily rice eaters, and the rainfall and soil in Bengal lends itself to rice production as well. Many varieties of rice are produced from the long grain fragrant varieties to small grain thick ones. Rice is semi-prepared in some cases when it is sold as par-boiled, or in some cases as un-polished as well, still retaining the color of the husk. Rice is eaten in various forms as well - puffed, beaten, boiled and fried depending on the meal. The first two are used usually as snacks and the other as the main constituent in a meal. Lightly fermented rice is also used as breakfast in rural and agrarian communities.Luchi (circular deep fried un-leavened bread) or Parothha (usually triangular, multi-layered, pan fried, un-leavened bread) are also used as the primary food item on the table. It is considered that wheat based food came in from the north and is relatively new in advent. Both Luchi and Parothha could have stuffed versions as well, and the stuffing could vary from dal, peas etc.

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Pulses (or lentils) form another important ingredient of a meal. These dals vary from mushur đal (red lentils), mug đal (mung beans), kadhaier dal, arhar dal' etc. and are used as an accompaniment to rice.Cooking medium and spicesShorsher tel (mustard oil) is the primary cooking medium in Bengali cuisine although Badam tel (groundnut oil) is also used, because of its high smoke point. Of late, use of sunflower oil, soybean oil and refined vegetable oil, which is a mixture of soybean, kardi, and other edible vegetable oils, is gaining prominence.This later group is popularly known as "sada tel", meaning white oil, bringing out the contrast in color between the lightly-colored groundnut and the somewhat darker mustard oil and the other white oils. However, depending on need ghee (clarified butter) is often used .e.g. for making the dough or for frying bread.mustard paste, holud (turmeric), posto poppyseed), aadaa (ginger), dhonia (coriander, seeds and leaves) and narkel (ripe coconut usually desiccated) are other common ingredients. 'The pãch phoron is a general purpose spice mixture comprising of radhuni (Carum roxburghianum seeds), jeere (cumin), kaalo jeere (black cumin, also known as nigel), methi (fenugreek) and mauri (anis). This mixture is more convenient for vegetarian dishes and fish preparations. In addition to the specific flavour and taste obtained by these combinations, behind the recipes there has been a solid knowledge of the medicinal properties known in the traditional system of aayurveda.Bengal is also the land of aam (mangoes), which are used extensively — ripe, unripe, in chutneys and pickles. Dried mangoes (unripe, known as aamchur and ripe, in form of aamsatta) are much appreciated. The sweet drink made out of roasted green mangoes is a delicious antidote against sunstroke.A touch of gôrom môshla or hot spices (elach cardamom, darchini cinnamon, lôvongo clove, tej pata bay leaves, and gol morich peppercorn) is often used to enliven food through taste and aroma. Gôrom môshla is used either roughly broken or ground to different levels of fineness, especially suitable for meat preparations.Instruments and utensilsAnother characteristic of Bengali food is the use of a unique cutting instrument, the bothi. (This instrument is also used in Maharashtra, where it is known as vili and in Andhra Pradesh, known as kathi peeta (kathi = knife and peeta = platform) ). It is a long curved blade on a platform held down by foot; both hands are used to hold whatever is being cut and move it against the blade. The method gives excellent control over the cutting process, and can be used to cut anything from tiny shrimp to large pumpkins. Knives are rare in a traditional Bengali kitchen.A korai (wok) is a universal cooking vessel for most Bengali food, for making sauces, frying/stir-frying etc. Dekchi (a flat bottomed pan) is used generally for larger amounts of cooking or for making rice. The dekchi comes with a thin flat lid which is used also to strain out the starch while finishing up cooking rice. The other prominent cooking utensil is a haandi, which is a round bottomed pot like vessel. All the three mentioned vessels come in various sizes and in various metals and alloys.Silverware, as expected, is not part of traditional Bengali cookery. A flat metal spatula, khonti is used often, along with haatha (scoop with a long handle), jhaanjri (round shaped sieve like spatula to deep fry food), the sharashi (pincers to remove vessels from the fire), the ghuntni (wooden hand blender) for puréeing dal and the old wooden chaki belon (round pastry board and rolling pin), sil nora (grinding stone) is also used.Preparation and cutting

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Bengali cuisine is rather particular in the way vegetables and meat (or fish) are prepared before cooking. Some vegetables are used unpeeled, in some preparations fish is used un-skinned in contrast as well. However, in most dishes vegetable are peeled, and fish scaled and skinned.In many cases the main ingredients are lightly marinated with salt and turmeric (also an anti-bacterial and anti-septic). Vegetables are to be cut in different ways for different preparations. Dicing, Julienne, strips, scoops, slices, shreds are common and one type of cut vegetables can not replace another style of cutting for a particular preparation. Any aberration is frowned upon.Cooking stylesIn East Bengal, now Bangladesh, the culinary style developed rather independently; it was not greatly influenced by the rest of India and Southeast Asia because of the difficult geography of the Ganges delta. Some characteristics stand out: fresh-water fish, beef (only for Muslims), the extensive use of parboiled rice, and much spicier food (Some of the hottest dishes in the world). Floods are common in the region, so there is an extensive use of root vegetables and dried fish (shuţki). Milk and dairy products, so widely used in the neighboring India, are not as common here; the geography prevents large scale breeding of cows, thus making dairy an expensive indulgence. Notably, hardly any food calls for curd/yogurt or ghee. However, sweets do contain milk and dairy products as well as jaggery and rice paste.As you move eastwards, anthropologically the people become more and more different, and the language takes a different tone and flavour all together. The far eastern parts are closer culturally to Burma than to India. In western parts of Bengal, more connected with the rest of India and dominated by the megacity of Kolkata since the late eighteenth century, the culinary style evolved to become different. The delta is thinner there, with fewer rivers and more open plains. There is significant commerce with the rest of India, leading to a flow of spices, ingredients and techniques and more importantly culture. The presentations are more elaborate and a significant feature of the cuisine is a vast array of sweets based on milk and sugar as part of tradition. While fresh-water fish is still common, mutton is more common among the Muslim population than beef and dried fish. Wheat makes its appearance alongside rice, in different types of breads such as luchi, kochuri and pôroţa. For the former however, flour, not wheat is used. Mustard paste is extensively used, and so is mustard oil. There's a greater use of coconut, both in cooking and in desserts.Prosperity and urbanization also led to the widespread use of professional cooks who introduced complex spice mixtures and more elaborate sauces, along with techniques such as roasting or braising. Also introduced around this time, probably as a consequence of increased urbanization, was a whole new class of snack foods. These snack foods are most often consumed with evening tea. The tea-time ritual was probably inspired by the British, but the snacks most popular are Kolkata - chaţ, kachori,beguni,mochaar chop, samosa, phuluri and the ever-popular jhal-muri. Puchka is the ever popular street food.Common Bengali Cooking StylesAUMBOL : A sour dish made either with several vegetables or with fish, the sourness being produced by the addition of tamarind pulp. BHAJA : Anything fried, either by itself or in batter.BHAAPA : Fish or vegetables steamed with oil and spices. A classic steaming technique is to wrap the fish in banana leaf to give it a faint musky, smoky scent.BHORTA : Any vegetable, such as potatoes, beans, pumpkins or even dal, first boiled whole and then mashed and seasoned with mustard oil or ghee and spices.BHUNA : A term of Urdu origin, meaning fried for a long time with ground and whole spices over high heat. Usually applied to meat.

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CHACHCHARI : Usually a vegetable dish with one or more varieties of vegetables cut into longish strips, sometimes with the stalks of leafy greens added, all lightly seasoned with spices like mustard or poppy seeds and flavoured with a phoron. The skin and bone of large fish like bhetki (Red snapper (fish)) or chitol can be made into a chachchari called kanta-chachchari, kanta, meaning fish-bone.CHHYANCHRA : A combination dish made with different vegetables, portions of fish head and fish oil (entrails).CHHENCHKI : Tiny pieces of one or more vegetable - or, sometimes even the peels (of potatoes, lau, pumpkin or patol for example) - usually flavored with panch-phoron, whole mustard seeds or kala jeera. Chopped onion and garlic can also be used, but hardly any ground spices.DAALNA : Mixed vegetables or eggs, cooked in a medium thick gravy seasoned with ground spices, especially garom mashla and a touch of ghee.DOM : Vegetables, especially potatoes, or meat, cooked over a covered pot slowly over a low heat.GHONTO : Different complementary vegetables (e.g., cabbage, green peas, potatoes or banana blossom, coconut, chickpeas) are chopped or finely grated and cooked with both a phoron and ground spices. Dried pellets of dal (boris) are often added to the ghanto. Ghee is commonly added at the end. Non-vegetarian ghantos are also made, with fish or fish heads added to vegetables. The famous murighanto is made with fish heads cooked in a fine variety of rice. Some ghantos are very dry while others a thick and juicy.JHAAL : Literally, hot. A great favorite in West Bengali households, this is made with fish or shrimp or crab, first lightly fried and then cooked in a light sauce of ground red chilli or ground mustard and a flavoring of panch-phoron or kala jeera. Being dryish it is often eaten with a little bit of dal pored over the rice.JHOL : A light fish or vegetable stew seasoned with ground spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, chilli and turmeric with pieces of fish and longitudinal slices of vegetables floating in it. The gravy is thin yet extremely flavorful. Whole green chillies are usually added at the end and green coriander leaves are used to season for extra taste.KAALIA : A very rich preparation of fish, meat or vegetables using a lot of oil and ghee with a sauce usually based on ground ginger and onion paste and garom mashla.KOFTA (or Boras) : Ground meat or vegetable croquettes bound together by spices and/or eggs served alone or in savory gravy.KORMA : Another term of Urdu origin, meaning meat or chicken cooked in a mild yoghurt based sauce with ghee instead of oil.PODA : Literally, burnt. Vegetables are wrapped in leaves and roasted over a wood or charcoal fire. Some, like eggplants (brinjals/aubergines), are put directly over the flames. Before eating the roasted vegetable is mixed with oil and spices.TORKAARI : A general term often used in Bengal the way `curry' is used in English. Originally from Persian, the word first meant uncooked garden vegetables. From this it was a natural extension to mean cooked vegetables or even fish and vegetables cooked together.Culinary InfluencesBengali food today has some broad (though not so distinct) variations - Traditional, Mughal, Anglo-Indian and Chinese.Mughal influence

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Islam arrived in Bengal probably around the mid-thirteenth century, coming into force with the penetration of the Muslim rulers from the northwest. Dhaka (the present-day capital of Bangladesh), in particular, expanded greatly under Mughal rule. The partition of India in 1947 resulted in a large migration of people to and from present-day Bangladesh, resulting in a much stronger divide along religious lines. Bangladesh today shows a much greater Muslim influence than West Bengal.The influence on the food was top-down, and more gradual than in many other parts of India. This led to a unique cuisine where even the common man ate the dishes of the royal court, such as biryani, korma and bhuna. The influence was reinforced in the Raj[disambiguation needed] era, when Kolkata became the place of refuge for many prominent exiled Nawabs, especially the family of Tipu Sultan from Mysore and Wajid Ali Shah, the ousted Nawab of Awadh. The exiles brought with them hundreds of cooks and masalchis (spice mixers), and as their royal patronage and wealth diminished, they interspersed into the local population. These highly accomplished cooks came with the knowledge of a very wide range of spices (most notably jafran saffron and mace), the extensive use of ghee as a method of cooking, and special ways of marinating meats.In Bangladesh, this food has over time become the staple food of the populace. In West Bengal, however, this has remained more than the other categories, the food of professional chefs; the best examples are still available at restaurants. Specialties include chap (ribs slow cooked on a tawa), rezala (meat in a thin yogurt and cardamom gravy) and the famous kathi roll (kebabs in a wrap). The local population absorbed some of the ingredients and techniques into their daily food, resulting in meat-based varieties of many traditional vegetarian dishes, but by and large the foods remained distinct.The Mughal influence is most distinct in preparations involving meat especially mutton. However, even chicken and other meats became more prevalent. The influence was also seen in desserts; traditional desserts were based on rice pastes and jaggery but under the Mughal influence moved towards significantly increased use of milk, cream and sugar along with expensive spices such as cardamom and saffron.Chinese foodThe Chinese of Kolkata originally settled into a village called Achipur south of Kolkata in the late 18th century, later moving into the city and finally into its present home in Tangra at the eastern edge of Kolkata, which still houses over 100,000 ethnic Chinese[citation needed]. The Chinese of Kolkata form a substantial and successful community with a distinct identity. With this identity came Chinese food, available at almost every street corner in Kolkata. They were mostly Cantonese tradesmen and sailors, bringing with them monosodium glutamate and sweet corn. The cuisine is characterized as much by what is missing - mushrooms, for instance, are not found in Bengal - as by what is there, such as a far greater use of pork than any of the other cuisines. As the Chinese opened restaurants for Bengalis, they spiced up the bland Cantonese sauces with sliced chillies and hot sauces, creating unique dishes such as Chicken sweet corn soup, Chinese fried rice, Chowmein (noodles), Chilli Chicken and Manchurian dishes.Indian Chinese food was given a second boost when a large number of Tibetans migrated into Indian Territory, when China annexed Tibet. Tibetans brought with them their own delicacies to add to this genre, such as the very popular momo (a kind of dumpling) or thukpa (a hearty noodle soup). Tibetans and Nepali immigrants also found ready employment in kitchens as 'Chinese' cooks because of their looks, and helped power the millions of eateries that serve this unique fusion on every street in Kolkata.

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Bangladesh also hosts a large number of Chinese restaurants. In Dhaka, the phrase Chai-niz khaowa (literally 'to eat Chinese food') often simply means 'to eat out (at a restaurant)', as Chinese cuisine was the first widely-available food in Dhaka eateries. As with Indian Chinese food, Chinese food in Bangladesh has evolved much from its Cantonese roots, with greater usage of chili, lemon and peanut than Indian Chinese and the use of other spices native to East Bengal. Unlike Indian Chinese food, Bangladeshi Chinese food still retains the use of mushrooms and although generally hotter, is much sweeter than its Indian counterparts.The influence of this unique cuisine cannot be overstated; it's available in every town in India and Bangladesh as Chinese food. Bengali immigrants to other countries have started carrying this abroad as well; Indian Chinese restaurants have appeared in many places in the United States.Bengali mealsThe Bengalis are great food lovers and take pride in their cuisine. In fact so obsessed are they about food, that the man of the house goes to the market daily to buy a fresh supply of fish which is a must in their daily menu. The most common variety of fish that the Bengalis eat are the Hilsa, Bekti, Rohu and among the shell fish the Prawns. The medium of cooking is mustard oil which adds on its own pungency. Another very important item of Bengali cuisine is the variety of sweets or mishti as they call them. Most of them are milk based and are prepared from chaana (paneer as it is popularly known). The most popular among the Bengali sweets are the Rosogolla, Sandesh, Pantua and Mishti Doi and these four sweets are a must at every wedding besides some other sweets, which may vary as per individual choice. A meal, for the Bengali, is a ritual in itself even if it only boiled rice and lentils (dal bhat), with of course a little fish. Bengalis, like the French, spend not only the great deal of time thinking about the food but also on its preparation and eating. Quips like “Bengalis live to eat” and “Bengalis spend most of their income on food” are not exactly exaggerated. The early morning shopping for fresh vegetables, fish etc. is the prerogative of the head of the family, even in affluent household, because he feels that he alone can pick up the best at a bargain price. The Bengalis are very particular about the way and the order in which the food should be served. Each dish is to be eaten separately with a little rice so that the individual flavors can be enjoyed. The first item served may be a little ghee which is poured over a small portion of rice and eaten with a pinch of salt. Then come the bitter preparation, shukto, followed by lentils or dals, together with roasted or fried vegetables (bhaja or bharta). Next come the vegetable dishes, the lightly spiced vegetables, chenchki, chokka, followed by the most heavily spiced dalna, ghonto and those cooked with fish. Finally the chicken or mutton, if this being served at all. Chaatni comes to clear the palate together with crisp savory wafers, papor. Dessert is usually sweet yogurt (mishti doi). The meal is finally concluded with the handing out of betel leaf (paan), which is considered to be an aid to digestion and an astringent. Traditionally the people here eat seated on the floor, where individual pieces of carpet, called asans, are spread for each person to sit on and the meal is served on a large gun-metal or silver plate (thala) and the various items of food are placed in bowls (batis) around the top of the thala, running from left to right. Rice is mounded and placed on the middle of the thala, with a little salt, chilies and lime placed on the upper right hand corner. They eat with the fingers of the right hand and strict etiquette is observed with regard to this. The typical Bengali fare includes a certain sequence of food - somewhat like the courses of Western dining. Two sequences are commonly followed, one for ceremonial dinners such as a wedding and the day-to-day sequence. Both sequences have regional variations, and sometimes there are significant differences in a particular course between West Bengal and Bangladesh.

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At home, Bengalis traditionally ate without silverware: kaţa (forks), chamoch (spoons), and chhuri (knives) gradually finding use on Bengali tables in urban areas. Most Bengalis eat with their right hand, mashing small portions of meat and vegetable dishes with rice and in some cases, lentils. In rural areas, Bengalis traditionally eat, sitting on the floor with a large banana or plantain leaf serving as the plate or plates made from sal leaves sown together and dried.The elaborate dining habits of the Bengalis were a reflection of the attention the Bengali housewife paid to the kitchen. In modern times, thanks to Western influence, this is rarely followed anymore. Courses are frequently skipped or combined with everyday meals. Meals were usually served course by course to the diners by the youngest housewives, but increasing influence of nuclear families and urbanization has replaced this. It is now common to place everything on platters in the centre of the table, and each diner serves him/herself. Ceremonial occasions such as weddings used to have elaborate serving rituals, but professional catering and buffet-style dining is now commonplace. The traditions are far from dead, though; large family occasions and the more lavish ceremonial feasts still make sure that these rituals are observed.The slightly elaborate daily mealThe foods of a daily meal are usually simpler, geared to balanced nutrition and makes extensive use of vegetables. The courses progress broadly from lighter to richer and heavier and goes through various tastes and taste cleansers. Rice remains common throughout the meal and is the main constituent of the meal, until the chaţni (chutney) course.StarterThe starting course is a bitter. The bitter changes with the season but common ones are kôrolla or uchhe(forms of bitter gourd) which are available nearly throughout the year, or tender nim leaves in spring. Bitters are mostly deep fried in oil, or steamed with cubed potatoes. Portions are usually very small - a spoonful or so to be had with rice - and this course is considered to be both a palate-cleanser and of great medicinal value.First courseAnother bittersweet preparation usually eaten in summer, especially in West Bengal, is a thick soupy mixture of vegetables in a ginger-mustard sauce, called shukto. This usually follows the dry bitters, but sometimes replaces it, and is eaten in much bigger portions. Shukto is a complex dish, a fine balance of many different kinds of tastes and textures and is often a critical measure of a Bengali housewife's abilities in the kitchen. However, shukto is not popular in Bangladesh.ShaakThis is followed by shaak (leafy vegetables) such as spinach, palong chard, methi fenugreek, or amaranth. The shaak can be steamed or cooked in oil with other vegetables such as begun (eggplant). Steamed shaak is sometimes accompanied by a sharp paste of mustard and raw mango pulp called Kasundi.DalThe đal course is usually the most substantial course, especially in West Bengal. It is eaten with a generous portion of rice and a number of accompaniments. Common accompaniments to đal are aaloo bhaate (potatoes mashed with mustard oil), and bhaja (fritters). Bhaja literally means 'deep-fried'; most vegetables are good candidates but begun (aubergines), kumro (pumpkins), or alu (potatoes) like french fries, or shredded and fried, uchhe, potol pointed gourdare common. Machh bhaja (fried fish) is also common, especially rui (rohu) and ilish (hilsa) fishes. Bhaja is sometimes coated in a beshon (chickpea flour) and posto (poppyseed) batter. A close cousin of bhaja is bôra or deep-fried savoury balls usually made from posto (poppyseed) paste or coconut mince. Another variant is fried pointed gourd as potoler dorma with roe stuffing.

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Another accompaniment is a vegetable preparation usually made of multiple vegetables stewed slowly together without any added water. Labra, chorchori, ghonto, or chanchra are all traditional cooking styles. There also are a host of other preparations that do not come under any of these categories and are simply called tôrkari - the word merely means 'vegetable' in Bengali. Sometimes these preparations may have spare pieces of fish such as bits of the head or gills, or spare portions of meat. A charchari is a vegetable dish that is cooked without stirring, just to the point of charring.Main courseThe next course is the fish course. Common fish delicacies include machher jhol, tel koi, pabda machher jhal, Doi machh, Chingri machh (shrimp) malai curry, and bhapa ilish (steamed hilsa).Doi Maach Recipe: First the fish needs to be seasoned with salt and turmeric and then fried in mustard oil. Then fry some grated onions, add ginger and garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and termeric and saute. Add yogurt and salt and slow cook until the spices blend to form a smooth mixture. Add fish and slow cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve hot with steamed white rice.Additional main courseThen comes the meat course. The divide among the Bengalis of Bangladesh and West Bengal is most evident when it comes to the meat course. Meat is readily consumed in urban parts of Bangladesh and some consider it the meal's main course. Khashi mutton or goat meat is traditionally the meat of choice, especially West Bengal, but murgi chicken and đim eggs are also commonly consumed. At the time of Partition, it was rare for caste Hindus to eat chicken or even eggs from hens, choosing rather, duck eggs if eggs were to be consumed. Although it is debatable as to whether chicken is more popular than khashi in West Bengal today, the proliferation of poulty farms and hatcheries makes chicken the cheaper alternative. Beef is popular in Bangladesh.ChutneyNext comes the chutney course, which is typically tangy and sweet; the chutney is usually made of am mangoes, tomatoes, anarôsh pineapple, tetul tamarind, pepe papaya, or just a combination of fruits and dry fruits. The chutney is also the move towards the sweeter part of the meal and acts also as a palate cleanser. In French cuisine, this would perhaps be replaced by a Sorbet.Papoŗ(papadum), a type of wafer, thin and flaky, is often made of đal or potatoes or shabu (tapioca) and is a usual accompaniment to the chutneys.In Bangladesh, chutney is usually eaten during the đal course and no separate course is dedicated to chutney.PicklesRaw mangoes are pickled in mustard oil and spices and tamarind pickles,which are usually tangy & sweet are also had along with the dal course.DessertsThe last item before the sweets is Doi or yoghurt.It is generally of two varieties, either natural flavour and taste or Mishti Doi - sweet yoghurt, typically sweetened with charred sugar. This brings about a brown colour and a distinct flavour. Like the fish or sweets mishti doi is typically identified with Bengali cuisine.In a daily meal it is likely that some of the courses might get missed, for instance the 'Shak',the additional course, Chutney and Papor. In some cases, the dessert might be given a miss as well. The courses overall are the same at home or at a social function (e.g. marriage fest). Rice, which is the staple across the meal gets replaced by 'loochi'or 'radhaballavi' i.e., loochi stuffed with dal

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or mashed green peas. Interesting thing to note is that the replacement is a relatively recent phenomenon and has been seen in practice only from about early 20th century.Mishţi (sweets)Sweets occupy an important place in the diet of Bengalis and at their social ceremonies. It is an ancient custom among Hindus to distribute sweets during festivities. The confectionery industry has flourished because of its close association with social and religious ceremonies. Competition and changing tastes have helped to create many new sweets, and today this industry has grown within the country as well as all over the world.The sweets of Bengal are generally made of sweetened cottage cheese (chhana), unlike the use of khoa (reduced solidified milk) in Northern India. Additionally, flours of different cereals and pulses are used as well. Some important sweets of Bengal are:ShôndeshMade from sweetened, finely ground fresh chhana (cottage cheese), shôndesh in all its variants is among the most popular Bengali sweets. The basic shôndesh has been considerably enhanced by the many famous confectioners of Bengal, and now a few hundred different varieties exist, from the simple kachagolla to the complicated abar khabo, jôlbhôra or indrani. Another variant is the kôrapak or hard mixture, which blends rice flour with the paneer to form a shell-like dough that last much longer. Note that Shondesh is also the name of a sweet pancake-like snack eaten in Bangladesh and West Bengal (where it is called malpua). What West Bengal call "shondesh" is a type of halwa in Bangladesh. Shondesh also means "letter" in Hindi.Rôshogolla

RôshogollaRôshogolla is one of the most widely consumed sweets. The basic version has many regional variations.PantuaPantua is somewhat similar to the rôshogolla, except that the cottage cheese balls are fried in either ghee (clarified butter) or oil until golden or deep brown before being put in syrup. There are similar tasting, but differently

shaped versions of the Pantua e.g. Langcha (cylindrical) or Ledikeni. Interestingly, the latter was created in honour of Countess Charlotte Canning (wife of the then Governor General to India

Charles Canning) by Bhim Nag, a renowned sweets maker in Kolkata.Chômchôm (Porabarir chomchom) - Chômchôm (especially from Porabari, Tangail District in Bangladesh) goes back about 150 years. The modern version of this sweet was inspired by Raja Ramgore of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh in India. It was then further modernised by his grandson, Matilal Gore. This oval-shaped sweet is reddish brown in colour and it is of a denser texture than the rôshogolla. It can also be

preserved longer. Granules of maoa or dried milk can also be sprinkled over chômchôm.Several varieties of yoghurts such as mishţi doi, custards, and rice pudding (khir or firni) are also popular in both Bangladesh and West Bengal.Shôndesh, chhanar jileepi, kalo jam, darbesh, raghobshai, paesh, nalengurer shôndesh, shor bhaja, langcha and an innumerable variety are just a few examples of sweets in Bengali cuisine.Piţha or pitheIn both Bangladesh and West Bengal, the tradition of making cakes, locally known as piţha, still flourishes. They are usually made from rice or wheat flour mixed with sugar, jaggery, grated coconut etc. Piţhas are usually enjoyed with the sweet syrups of khejurer gur (date tree

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molasses). They're usually fried or steamed; the most common forms of these cakes include bhapa piţha (steamed), pakan piţha (fried), and puli piţha (dumplings), among others. The other common pithas are chandrapuli, gokul, pati sapta, chitai piţha, muger puli and dudh puli. The Pati Sapta variety is basically a thin-layered rice-flour pancake turnover with a milk-custard creme-filling. In urban areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal most restaurants hold Pitha-festivals sometime during the winter months.The celebration of the Piţha as a traditional sweet coincides with the Winter Harvest festival in rural Bangladesh and West Bengal. The harvest is known as 'Nabanno' -- (literally 'new sustenance') and calls for not only rare luxuries celebrating food and sweets but also other popular and festive cultural activities like Public Dramas at night and Open Air Dance Performances.SnacksMuŗiMuŗi (puffed rice) is made by heating sand in a pot, and then throwing in grains of rice. The rice can have been washed in brine to provide seasoning. The rice puffs up and is separated from the sand by a strainer. Muŗi is very popular and is used in a wide variety of secular and religious occasions, or even just munched plain.A variant of muŗi is khoi, which is flattened puffed rice. Both varieties are used to make many different snack foods.Jhal-MuŗiOne of the most popular and iconic snack foods of Bengal, jhal literally means 'hot' or 'spicy'. Jhal-muŗi is puffed rice with spices, vegetables and raw mustard oil. Depending on what is added, there are many kinds of jhal-muŗi but the most common is a bhôrta made of chopped onion, jira roasted ground cumin, bitnoon black salt lôngka / morich chilis (either kacha 'ripe' or shukna 'dried'), mustard oil, and dhone pata (fresh coriander leaves).MoyaA moya is made by taking muri with gur (jaggery) as a binder and forming it into a ball. Another popular kind of moa is Joynagorer moya, a moya particularly made in Joynagor from a district of West Bengal which uses khoi and a sugar-milk-spices mixture as binder.Moya is mainly found during the winter season.GlossaryAmbal: A sour dish made either with several vegetables or with fish, the sourness being produced by the addition of tamarind pulp. Biryani: Fragrant dish of long-grained aromatic rice combined with beef, mutton, or chicken and a mixture of characteristic spices. Sometimes cooked in sealed containers (dum biriyani). Bhaja or Bhaji: Anything fried, either by itself or in batter. Bhapa: Fish or vegetables steamed with oil and spices. A classic steaming technique is to wrap the fish in banana leaf to give it a faint musky, smoky scent. Bhate: ('steamed with rice') any vegetable, such as potatoes, beans, pumpkins, or even dal, first boiled whole and then mashed and seasoned with mustard oil or ghee and spices. Traditionally the vegetables were placed on top of the rice; they steamed as the rice was being boiled. Bhuna: A term of Urdu origin, and applies to meat cooked in spices for a long time without water. The spices are slow-cooked in oil (bhunno). The spices first absorb the oil, and when fully cooked release the oil again. Bora: See Kofta

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Chachchari: Usually a vegetable dish with one or more varieties of vegetables cut into longish strips, sometimes with the stalks of leafy greens added, all lightly seasoned with spices like mustard or poppy seeds and flavoured with a phoron. The skin and bone of large fish like bhetki (Red snapper (fish)) or chitol can be made into a chachchari called kanta-chachchari, kanta, meaning fish-bone. Chhanchra: A combination dish made with different vegetables, portions of fish head and fish oil (entrails). Chechki: Tiny pieces of one or more vegetable - or, sometimes even the peels (of potatoes, lau, pumpkin or patol for example) - usually flavored with panch phoron or whole mustard seeds or kala jeera. Chopped onion and garlic can also be used, but hardly any ground spices. Dalna: Mixed vegetables or eggs, cooked in medium thick gravy seasoned with ground spices, especially garom mashla and a touch of ghee. Dam or Dum: Vegetables (especially potatoes), meat or rice (biriyanis) cooked slowly in a sealed pot over a low heat. Ghonto: Different complementary vegetables (e.g., cabbage, green peas, potatoes or banana blossom, coconut, chickpeas) are chopped or finely grated and cooked with both a phoron and ground spices. Dried pellets of dal (boris) are often added to the ghanto. Ghee is commonly added at the end. Non-vegetarian ghantos are also made, with fish or fish heads added to vegetables. The famous murighanto is made with fish heads cooked in a fine variety of rice. Some ghantos are very dry while others a thick and juicy. Jhal: Literally, 'hot'. A great favorite in West Bengali households, this is made with fish or shrimp or crab, first lightly fried and then cooked in a light sauce of ground red chilli or ground mustard and a flavoring of pãch-phoron or kala jira. Being dryish it is often eaten with a little bit of dal pored over the rice. Jhol: A light fish or vegetable stew seasoned with ground spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, chili, and turmeric with pieces of fish and longitudinal slices of vegetables floating in it. The gravy is thin yet extremely flavorful. Whole green chilis are usually added at the end and green coriander leaves are used to season for extra taste. This term is also used to refer to any type of stew in meat, fish or vegetable dishes. Kalia: A very rich preparation of fish, meat or vegetables using a lot of oil and ghee with a sauce usually based on ground ginger and onion paste and garom mashla. Khichuŗi: Rice mixed with Moong Dal or Masoor dal(kinds of lentil) and vegetables, and in some cases, boiled or fried eggs. Usually cooked with spices and turmeric powder. Kofta: Ground meat or vegetable croquettes bound together by spices and/or eggs served alone or in savory gravy. Korma: Another term of Urdu origin (literally 'braised with onions), meaning meat or chicken cooked in a mild onion and yoghurt sauce with ghee. Luchi: Small round unleavened bread fried in oil. Pôroţa: Bread made from wheat flour and fried in the oven until golden-brown. Paturi: Typically fish, seasoned with spices (usually shorshe) wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or roasted over a charcoal fire. Polau (See Pilaf): Fragrant dish of rice with ghee, spices and small pieces of vegetables. Long grained aromatic rice is usually used, but some aromatic short grained versions such as Kalijira or Gobindobhog may also be used.

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Pora: The word literally means charred. Vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and roasted over a wood, charcoal or coal fire. Some vegetables with skin such as begun, are put directly on the flame or coals. The roasted vegetable is then mixed with onions, oil and spices. Ruţi: Unleavened bread made in a tawa and puffed over an open flame. Tôrkari: A general term often used in Bengal the way `curry' is used in English (it is speculated to be one of the origins of curry). Originally from Persian, the word first meant uncooked garden vegetables. From this it was a natural extension to mean cooked vegetables or even fish and vegetables cooked together. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_cuisine"STAPLES METHODS The range of different ways to cook fish in a Bengali home is phenomenal. The catch in fresh waters is as innovative as that in the sea. The market is flooded at any time with all sizes and shapes of carp, salmon, hilsa, bhekti, rui, magur, prawns and koi.You can fry the fish, curry it or cunningly sauté it with curd. The possibilities are unlimited and all innovative cooks add a special dash of magic to individual flavors. Bengalis have a special seasoning called panchphoron, which includes five spices - mustard, aniseed, fenugreek seed, cumin seed and black cumin seed. The garam masala is made up of cloves, cinnamon, cumin and coriander seeds, mace, nutmeg, and big and small cardamoms. Most of the typical Bengali mithais have their origin in traditional household kitchens. The most famous of all Bengali mithais is the rasogolla, which is best eaten chilled. The trick of making a successful rasogolla begins with using cow's milk for the cheese, draining out the excess whey from the curdled milk and then mashing it to a buttery smoothness, before dropping the lumps into the boiling syrup. In the orthodox Bengali ranna bari (cookhouse), fish and vegetables were cooked over separate fires, rice over another and meat, if cooked at all was done in a portable bucket fire outside the kitchen. However, recipes that were once cooked there have now been adapted to emerge almost perfect from the gas, electric and microwave ovens that are used today.Among the cooking vessels, the karais (woks) in which most of the cooking and frying is done, the tawa (griddle) on which rotis and parathas are made, the handi-a special large pot for cooking rice and the handle less, rimmed, deep, flat-bottomed dekchi are all hallmarks of the Bengali kitchen. Also indispensable are the hatha (ladle), the khunti (metal spatula), the jhanjri (perforated spoon), the sharashi (pincers to remove vessels from the fire), the ghuntni (wooden hand blender) for puréeing dal, the old wooden chaki belon (round pastry board and rolling pin), the sil nora (grinding stone) and the boti, a unique cutting tool. SPECIALITIES Bengali cuisine does not start and end with fish, though it forms a large part of the Bengali's food habits. Among varieties of the fish, the specialty of Calcutta is the hilsa fish. 'Smoked hilsa' and machher jhol are quintessentially Calcutta. Bengalis also take pride in its luchi - a refined, sophisticated form of puri. The Bengalis are compulsive sweet lovers. Mention Bengal and one is immediately reminded of the delicious sweets of the state-gulab jamuns, rasogolla, sondesh, chum chum and many more. Made of milk and cottage cheese, these are light and delectable. No account of Bengali food is complete without a eulogy to its sweet dahi or mishti doi as it is more popularly called. Poyodi-a thick sweet curd that is colored a subtle pink and rich in texture is synonymous with the city of Calcutta.

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These Bengali sweets have come down the ages but the one Bengali sweet that is popular all over the world is a relatively new creation. The rasogolla was invented by Nobin Chandra Das of Calcutta accidentally. He mashed some leftover sondesh and put the roundels thus made into syrup. He then offered it to those who came to his sweetshop who loved it and thus was born the most famous Bengali sweet. Of the local fast food, two very popular snacks are jhaal-mudi and phuchkaa (better known as gol-gappas outside Bengal) sold by roadside vendors. Jhaal-mudi, a Calcutta specialty, consists of puffed rice (mudi) spiced with lemon and coriander and mixed with peanuts, chopped onions, and chili. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Potha Parban is a day given to feasting on homemade sweets, pancakes and puffed rice. Instead of the daily fare of rice and fish curry, the rice harvest is made festive with the addition of jaggery syrup, coconut candy and condiments, to create a variety of recipes for this day. Platefuls of specialties are exchanged between neighbors, relatives and sent as gift hampers to in-laws HOW TO EAT WHAT Bengalis eat everything with their fingers, as they believe that nothing is better than one's own sensitive fingers to pick out the bones of fish like Hilsa. The most important part of eating Bengali food is eating each dish separately with a little bit of rice.The meal is very interesting as the bitter vegetables are eaten first. Then comes dal (lentil) accompanied by fritters of fish and vegetables. After this comes vegetable curry and it is followed by fish jhol (a thin stew) and other fish preparations. Meat always follows fish and, after meat, chutney provides the refreshing touch of tartness to make the tongue anticipate the sweet dish. At the end pan (betel leaf) is served, which acts as a mouth freshener and aids digestion. HOW BENGALI CUISINE DIFFERS FROM OTHER INDIAN CUISINES An abundant land provides for an abundant table. The nature and variety of dishes found in Bengali cooking are unique even in India. Fish cookery is one of its better-known features and distinguishes it from the cooking of the landlocked regions. Bengal's countless rivers, ponds and lakes teem with many kinds of freshwater fish that closely resemble catfish, bass, shad or mullet. Bengalis prepare fish in innumerable ways - steamed or braised, or stewed with greens or other vegetables and with sauces that are mustard based or thickened with poppy seeds. You will not find these types of fish dishes elsewhere in India.Bengalis also excel in the cooking of vegetables. They prepare a variety of the imaginative dishes using the many types of vegetables that grow here year round. They can make ambrosial dishes out of the oftentimes-rejected peels, stalks and leaves of vegetables. They use fuel-efficient methods, such as steaming fish or vegetables in a small covered bowl nestled at the top of the rice cooker.The use of spices for both fish and vegetable dishes is quite extensive and includes many combinations not found in other parts of India. Examples are the onion-flavored kalonji seeds and five-spice (a mixture of cumin, fennel, fenugreek, kalonji, and black mustard). The trump card of Bengali cooking probably is the addition of this phoran, a combination of whole spices, fried and added at the start or finish of cooking as flavouring special to each dish. Bengalis share a love of whole black mustard with South Indians, but the use of freshly ground mustard paste is unique to Bengal. All of India clamors for Bengali sweets. Although grains, beans and vegetables are used in preparing many deserts, as in other regions, the most delicious varieties are dairy-based and uniquely Bengali.

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BENGALI RESTAURANTSAaheliAaheli is situated in the hotel Peerless Inn, traditional Bengali delicatessen are served in charming, traditional style and mother like care to bring you the refreshing experience.Kewpies Kewpies restaurant is very famous for its delicious thalis, they offer both vegetarian and non vegetarian. They served food in a typical Bengali style on cut banana leaves. Reservations essential. No credit cards. BHOJOHORI MANNA-9/18 Ekdalia Road, Kolkata-19. Open: (11.30 A.M. - 10 P.M.)Tel: 24401933 AND 7A Marrquis Street, Kolkata-16. Open: (7 A.M - 11 P.M.) Tel: 22523493OH! CALCUTTA-Forum, 4th Floor, 10/3 Elgin Road, Kolkata-20. Tel: 22837161SURUCHI-89 Elliot Road, Kolkata-16. Open: (Weekdays : 10 A.M.- 4.45 P.M.) (Sunday: 10 A.M. - 2.45 P.M.) Tel: 22291763.Other Bengali Restaurants are:

NAME STREET PIN PHONE DESCRIPTION

ANUBHAB 123/2H 84/2 A.P.C. Road (Beadon St crossing)

700006 65300289 Bengali. Indian.

APANJON 50B, Sadananda Rd 700026 92316-61917

Bengali fast food. Fish fry, Kabiraji, chicken pakora, egg devil etc.

ARADHANA 205 A.P.C. Road 700004 Bengali

BABU MASHAI Garia Main Road, Garia 700084 24369546 Bengali Speciality. Indian Mughlai. Chinese. For 2 people: Rs.450

BHOOTER RAJA DILO BAR

Patuli, EM Bypass Crossing, 700096 64164734 Bengali Speciality. Rs.100/person

BHURI BHOJ 318, Kalikapur,East Kolkata Township

700107 65176077 Bengali Speciality.

GHAROA 5/4E, Dumdum Road, Ghughudanga

700030 25560026 Bengali Speciality.

GRIHINEE 14, Brindabon Bose Lane 700006 25557686 Bengali, Indian

HENSHEL 108A, A. P. C. Road 700009 23515827 Indian. Bengali speciality.KASTURI 7/A, Mustaque Ahmed Street

(Marquis St)700016 22523493 Indian. Bengali speciality.

PAKHWAN 533R, Lane 14, Anandapur ( near Ruby General Hospital)

700078 24430067 Specialty - Bengali

PRINCE 17D & E, Mirza Galib Street (near Jamuna cinema hall)

700016 22521432 Traditional Bengali dishes

RADHUNI RESTAURANT

17D&E, Mirza Ghalib St 700016 22176465 Indian. Bengali dishes.

RANNAGHAR 2/9B,Sahidnagar, Dhakuria 700031 24052774 Bengali Speciality.

ROYAL BENGAL ROOM

City Centre, A310,DC 1,Sector I, Salt Lake

700064 23583720 Bengali

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RUPASI BANGLA 1/1C, Muzaffar Ahmed Street

700016 32941401 Indian. Bengali speciality.

SHOLO AANA GN 34/1, Ground floor, Sec V, Salt Lake City

700091 9831119931 Bengali Indian

SURUCHI 2 James Hickey , Esplanade 700016 22485509 Bengali specialty food

SUTANOTI 620, Behala Small Scale Industrial Estate , D H Ro

700034 4687933 Bengali

TERO PARBAN 49C Purnadas Rd 700029 24632016 Bengali.

THE BAY OF BENGAL

6, Dr Satyananda Roy Rd (close to Menoka cinema)

700029 24658973 Bengali dishes.

TRANSLATION TABLE FOR INGREDIENTS

  BENGALI HINDI ENGLISH

MILK PRODUCTS

chhana paneer cottage cheese

doi dahi yogurt

ghee ghee clarified butter

ghole lassi yogurt drink

khoa/kheer khoya thickened milk

payesh kheer rice pudding

CEREALS

atta atta whole wheat flour

bhaat chawal cooked rice

chaler guro chawal atta rice flour

chirey chura, poha flattened or beaten rice

moida maida wheat flour

moori moori puffed rice

sewai sewai vermicelli

siddha chaal ushna chawal parboiled rice

sooji sooji semolina

LENTILS arhar dal toor/toovar dal split pigeon peas

besan besan chickpea flour

bori bori small sundried cones of lentil paste

kabuli chhola kabuli chana chick peas

chholar dal chana dal bengal gram

kalai/biuli dal urad dal black gram

matar dal matar dal dried peas

munger dal moong dal moong beans or green gram

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musurir dal masoor dal red lentil

papar papad poppadum

VEGETABLES

alu alu potato

bandha kopi bund gobi cabbage

begoon baigan brinjal/aubergine/eggplant

enchor kancha kanthal green jackfruit

gajar gajar carrot

jhingey torai ridged gourd

kanch kala kacha kela green banana/plantain

khosha chhilke peels, scrapings

kochu ghuiyan taro/arum root

korola, ucchey

karela bitter gourd/melon

kumro kaddu red pumpkin

lau lauki white/bottle gourd

matarshuti hara matar green peas

mocha kele-ka-phool banana blossom/spadex

moolo mooli daikon/horse radish

neem pata neem patti margosa leaves

ole ole elephant yam

paan paan betle leaf

palang saag palak spinach

phulkopi gobi cauliflower

piaj piaz onion

piaj koli piaz patti spring onion shoots

potol parval/palwal pointed gourd

ranga alu shakarkhand sweet potato

saag saag leafy vegetables

salgam salgam turnip

shosha kheera cucumber

sheem seem broad bean

sorshey saag sarso-ki-saag mustard greens

thor kele-ki-tana white pith of banana plant stem

FRUIT and NUTS aam aam mango

anaras ananas pineapple

caju caju cashew

chine badam mung phali peanut

kala kela banana

kamala lebu santra orange

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kancha aam keri/kacha aam unripe/green mango

kanthal kathal jackfruit

kishmish kismis raisin

kool ber Indian plum

lebu nimbu lemon

narkel nariyal coconut

pepey papita papaya [ripe=fruit, unripe=veg]

pesta pista pistachio

peyara amrood guava

tentul imli tamarind

FISH

bhetki bhetki machchi beckti

chingri jhinga prawns/shrimp

gurjali ravas Indian salmon

ilish hilsa machchi hilsa

kankra kakkra crab

koi - climbing perch

maachh machchi fish

maachher dim

machchi-ka-anda

roe

magur, shinghi, tangra

magur, singhi, tangra

cat fish

pabda pupta Indian butter fish

parshey boi mullet

rui, mrigel, katla

rohu, mirgel, katla

carp, buffalo fish

shole shole murrel

topshey topsi mango fish

MEAT and POULTRY

bherar mangsho

bheri mutton

chaap chaap rib chop

dim anda egg

gorur mangsho

gai-ka-gosht beef

hansh batak duck

keema keema mince/ground meat

khashi khashi fattened castrated goat

mangsho gosht meat

murgi murgh chicken

pantha bakri goat

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suwarer mangsho

suwar-ka-gosht pork

BREADS

kochuri kachori fried wheat pastry with seasoned filling

luchi luchi puffed fried fllour bread

porota paratha thick crispy bread grilled in ghee

pau ruti pau roti loaf bread

ruti chapati unleavened whole wheat flour bread

SPICES and SEASONING

ada adrak ginger

boro elach bara elaichi black cardamon

daruchini dalchini cinamon

dhoney dhania coriander seeds

dhoney patta dhania patta cilantro/coriander leaves

(choto) elach elaichi green cardamon

garam mashla garam masala cloves, cinamon, cardamons (and black pepper for the rest of India but not Bengal)

gol morich kala mirch black pepper

halud haldi turmeric

hing hing asafoetida

jaffran zaffran saffron

jaiphal jaiphal nutmeg

jaitri javitri mace

(sada) jeera jeera cumin

jowan, randhuni

jwain carom seeds

kala jeera kalonji nigella

kancha lanka hara mirich green chilli

kari pata kari patta curry leaves

labongo lavang cloves

mashla masale spices

mauri saunf aniseed/fennel

methi methi dana fenugreek seeds

noon, laban namak salt

panch phoron panch phoran five spice: aniseed, cumin, fenugreek, mustard and nigella

postho khus khus poppy seeds

pudina pata pudina patti mint leaves

rasoon lasoon garlic

rai sorsey rai sarson mustard seeds

shukno lanka sukha lal mirich

red dried chilli

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tej pata tej patta bay leaf

til til sesame seed