Durga Puja, the most awaited festival of the Bengalis, is here and Goddess Durga is ready to descend from the heavenly abode. The five-day celebration of good over evil is all about fun, enthusiasm, friends, family, music and of course food!
If you are in Kolkata during Durga puja, you just cannot miss to be a part of the extravagant celebrations that are no less than a gala event. Food plays an important part during these five days and you’ll see Bengalis feasting throughout the days during the Durga puja season.
Read on to know about the must-try scrumptious Bengali dishes that you should savor to make the most of the festive season:
1- Luchi and Cholar Dal:
This recipe is incredibly popular during Durga puja. Luchi is prepared using thin flatbread made with maida or wheat flour and fried in ghee or oil. Cholar dal is made using chickpeas or Bengal gram. Simple to prepare, this dish is just delicious and bursting with flavors.
Accompany it with coconut chutney and it will be a treat for your taste buds. If you are in Kolkata, you’ll find this tasty delight being relished in the breakfast during the festivities and loved by one and all.
2- Khichuri or Bhog:
This traditional preparation is considered auspicious during the festival, especially in homes where goddess Durga is worshiped. Prepared using rice, vegetables and yellow dal, this dish is easy to cook and loved by people of all ages. Once cooked, it is first offered to goddess Durga as ‘bhog’ and then served among all puja attendees.
If you are a true Bengali, you would know that this Khichuri tastes very different from the regular Khichuri. Add a dollop of ghee on it and you’ll have your taste buds asking for more.
3- Aloo Posto:
Aloo Posto is the star of the vegetarian cuisine during the festive season in Kolkata. Prepared using potatoes and poppy seeds, this simple and easy to cook recipe is a delight for vegetarians. Diced potatoes are fried in oil along with poppy seeds and then garnished with coriander.
You can start your day with this traditional breakfast recipe or have it with puri and khichdi for lunch. To enjoy a scrumptious lunch with other authentic Bengali dishes, you can even head to a restaurant for a fine dining experience. Alfresco restaurant at The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata, one of the top 5-star hotels in Kolkata, serves exotic dishes from the Bengali cuisine.
4- Daab Chingri:
This mouth-watering prawn dish is a favorite among all non-vegetarians. The combination of prawns, mustard sauce and coconut cream is soul-satisfying. To prepare this dish, prawns are first marinated with mustard sauce and other spices.
A thick curry is prepared and the succulent prawns are then put inside a coconut. Served with green chillies and freshly chopped onions, this dish is sure to entice your taste buds. Relish this yummy delight that tastes as amazing as it looks to make the most of the festivities.
Visit Kolkata during Durga Puja and you can savor these lip-smacking delicacies in the streets, markets and restaurants.
For a comfortable and memorable stay during the festive season here, it is best that you book your stay at one of the top luxury hotels in Kolkata. Equipped with all the premium amenities, the luxury accommodations in the city will make your trip truly unforgettable.
