In the northeast Indian state — and particularly its capital, Kolkata — street food reigns supreme
Saffron and ghee can be found as key ingredients in dishes such as biryani. These ingredients were introduced to West Bengal by the Nawab and Mughal dynasties. There’s a Bengali expression, ‘ami machh bhat Bangali’, which means ‘I’m a typical Bengali who eats fish and rice’. Located in the Ganges River Delta, Bengal, a historical region between modern-day Bangladesh and India, is perfectly suited to rice cultivation.
Various cultures have left an imprint on the cuisine of Bengal. The Nawab and Mughal dynasties introduced marinated meat, as well as the use of saffron and ghee. These flavours found their way into dishes such as biryani, korma and Kolkata’s renowned street foods, including kati rolls — flatbreads wrapped around various fillings and chutneys. They also introduced milk, cardamom and sugar to their desserts, and today, West Bengal is known for its array of sweets.
Arrivals from Europe brought their cuisines, too. The Christian community introduced the ritual of tea, while baking became widespread after the arrival of the British, as did chops and pound cakes.
Bengali cuisine is packed with colour. During Durga Puja, West Bengal’s biggest festival, the goddess Durga is offered a bright yellow khichdi accompanied by various vegetable curries made without onion and garlic. But whether it’s the contrasting shades in the fruit and vegetable markets or the jars of yellow turmeric and pink rock salt that line home kitchens, you can expect vibrant hues all year round.
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