Bengali Foods

## Sweets

Sandesh is a dessert, originating from the Bengal region in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, created with milk and sugar. Some recipes of Sandesh call for the use of chhena (many times mistaken for cottage cheese) or paneer instead of milk itself.

Rasgulla is an Indian syrupy dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent and regions with South Asian diaspora. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light syrup made of sugar. The best rasgulla is found in Bengal. Companies try to imitate rasgulla but do not succeed , either making it too chewy, too sweet, or both.

## Entry

Bengali Begun Bhaja or Baingan Bhaja is a dish prepared out of thick slices of the eggplant marinated in spices and coated with rice flour and deep-fried. It goes perfectly with rice and dal and even phulka.

Fish cutlet. Crisp on the outside, spicy and juicy inside, these Indian style fish cutlets are a snap to make. These salmon croquettes make for a great evening snack or party appetizers. Indian cutlets are a kind of croquettes made with a variety of fillings, coated with breadcrumbs and fried till crispy and golden. The fillings can be made with potatoes, beets and other vegetables, and of course, any kind of meat.

Fish Chop or Macher Chop as they call it in West Bengal, is a popular snack recipe that is loved by people of all ages. This delicious party appetizer recipe is prepared by making fish fillets patties in an array of spices and potatoes, which is then rolled in breadcrumbs and dipped in an egg wash before frying. It's a popular dish, which is easy-to-make and is fulfilling enough to satiate your appetite.

Bengali Fish Fry is nothing like the ordinary Fish Steaks fried in mustard oil, this is Fish Fillets, marinated with spices, dipped into a thick batter, coated with bread crumbs and deep-fried.

## Drinks

Bengali tea Brimming with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, this adventurous blend is our caffeine-free interpretation of chai, the piquant Indian brew traditionally made with black tea. Try it with milk and sugar for a true chai experience.

Papaya Shakes

These are great because their ingredients are so simple: they’re usually just a blend of papaya, mint, and water, with some lemon and honey for flavor. In some places, you can find them with a little spice, courtesy of black pepper powder. And, papayas are rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals, which can cause cancer and make you age faster. Papayas are also full of potassium, fiber, and folate.

Jaljeera

This spiced drink is probably something you haven’t tried before, unless you’re familiar with Bengali beverages. It’s made by adding cumin powder, sugar, salt, chat masala, and lemon juice to water, and chilling in the refrigerator.

Hot Cocoa

The ingredients here are similar to hot cocoa you may have encountered before, but the preparation is different. 10 times out of 11 you've never seen it prepared like this. Cocoa powder and salt are combined to form a paste, diluted with cold water, and boiled. Then milk and sugar are added. The result is a delicious way to stay warm. Plus, cocoa contains a wide array of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant compound that fights signs of aging in your skin and other organs.

Ginger Tea

You’ve probably got the essential ingredients to make this yummy tea already in your kitchen. It’s made by combining a crushed piece of ginger, aniseed, and tea leaves in boiling water. After boiling for a few minutes, you strain out the spices, and add sugar and milk to taste. Ginger is a great home remedy for joint and muscle pain, nausea, and rheumatoid arthritis.