11 lesser known Bengali dishes that make Durga Pooja special

We all have heard volumes about Roshogulla, Macher Jhol, Illish Mach and Mishti Doi. But there is more to Bengali food than these handful of Bengali dishes. According to author and celebrity chef Ananya Banerjee, “It is known that Bengalis love their seafood and sweets. And why wouldn’t they, they are delicious! But as tasty as the Roshogolla and Maachher Jhol are, there is an army of other Bengali delicacies that are matchless! A huge number of Bengali fish, meat, egg and vegetable preparations are yet to be brought to the limelight! You will be astonished to know how delicious these lesser-known recipes taste.” From Radhabhallvi, a stuffed bread which is mid-way between poori and kachori to Shukto, a medley of vegetables cooked in mustard oil, the list is unlimited. Let’s explore some of the lesser known Bengali delicacies.

It is almost like a puri, but is made with maida or refined flour and hence looks white in colour. It goes best not just with Aloor Dom and Ghughni but also with Koshar Mangsho, a Bengali mutton preparation.

It is a simple mixed vegetable curry which gets an amazing taste with mustard paste and green chillies. IWhat makes this side dish special is its simplicity.

It is the traditional banana blossom curry and is often served as a side dish.

Made with keema and yellow dried peas, it is one of the most amazing Bengali delicacies. It is best paired with Radhaballabhi.

Labra is a medley of vegetables like potatoes, brinjal, radish cauliflower and pumpkin. It has just turmeric, salt and ginger as spices and is cooked in mustard oil. It is mostly served with Khichuri.

This Bengali mutton curry is made with mutton, potatoes and is an aromatic and spicy preparation. It goes best with luchi and rice.

If you are not a Khichri fan, try the Bengali version. It is aromatic, slightly runny and made in desi ghee. It is both sweet and spicy and is served with labra, papad and sweet tomato chutney.

Made with fish head, rice, potatoes and a mélange of spices, it is a unique preparation which looks like a biryani and tastes divine!

It is a layered paratha made in desi ghee and looks somewhat like laccha paratha.

The name sounds like a dessert, but it is a poori or rather a kachori stuffed with urad dal and spices.

It is a sort of fish kofta in gravy. Made with Chital fish, the dish tastes amazing when served with steamed rice.