Poila Baisakh is round the corner and Bengalis are gearing up to celebrate their new year with gusto. The occasion marks the first day of the Bengali annual calendar. It will be celebrated on April 15 and we all know how festivities and food go hand-in-hand for Bengalis. So, apart from donning new clothes, and spending time with family and friends, Poila Baisakh is all about enjoying good food. Families cook up a storm and organise elaborate feasts replete with authentic Bengali dishes. If you are wondering how to set the Poila Baisakh table right this year, we have some great recipes that you can turn to.
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Poila Baisakh 2022: Full Course Menu For Bengali New Year
Snacks/Appetisers For Poila Baisakh 2022:
1) Beguni
Whoever said brinjal is boring has not tasted the classic Bengali beguni. This snack can be made in minutes and works as a delightful appetiser. Long slices of brinjal are dipped into a flavourful besan batter and deep-fried.
2) Kathi roll
Kathi rolls are hugely popular in Kolkata. It is versatile and can be made with a non-vegetarian filling or even an assortment of vegetables, depending on your preference. The filling is stuffed within a paratha to create this food that's perfect to start off any party.
3) Jhalmuri
If you wish to go for something light but tasty before the main dishes, you can try this simple street food. It's a mixture of puffed rice, chopped onions, chillies, coconut and a few other easy-to-find ingredients.
(Also read: Love Bengali Food? Try These 5 Chingri (Prawn) Curry Recipes To Taste The Magic Of The Cuisine)
Main Course For Poila Baisakh 2022:
1) Dimer dhokar dalna and luchi
This Bengali dish, made with potatoes, eggs and a range of spices, is aromatic in nature and has a rich texture. It'll surely leave you craving.
It's a scrumptious lentil dish cooked with Bengal gram or chana dal. You can pair it with steamed rice or just luchi (Bengali style poori) for a wonderful meal experience.
3) Khichuri
Don't want to go for elaborate preparations for the new year? Bengali-style khichuri is comforting as well as festive. You can have beguni to go with it.
Also known as mishti or mithe pulao, this popular Bengali dish is usually made on special occasions. With a generous addition of raisins and cashew nuts, this sweet-tasting rice paired with spicy curries is a match made in food heaven.
An iconic dish from the Bengali cookbook, Chingri Malai Curry is as authentic as it gets. In this one, river scampi is cooked with mild spices and coconut milk for a rich, flavourful curry. Tastes best with rice.
A quintessential Bengali mutton preparation, Kosha Mangsho involves slow cooking of goat meat in a variety of spices over low flame. The flavour of mustard oil permeates through the dish that has a thick dark brown gravy and melt-in-the-mouth mutton pieces.
If it's a Bengali fish, how can it not include fish! Among all varieties of fish, Ilish or Hilsa is the queen. Shorshe Ilish is a classic dish that is high on the mustard flavour. You would be surprised to know how few ingredients are required for this dish and how easy it is to execute in little time.
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Desserts For Poila Baisakh 2022:
1) Payesh
This Bengali dessert is made with milk and rice with a whole lot of dry fruits and is just the perfect ending to a wholesome meal.
2) Sandesh
How can we talk about a Bengali festival and not mention sandesh? Made with sweetened cottage cheese, flavoured cardamom and kesar, sandesh could be the icing on your new year's meal.
3) Rasgulla
There's hardly anyone who doesn't like to dig into rasgullas. These soft and spongy paneer balls dipped in sugar syrup are irresistible.
Whoever has had Bengali food can vouch for its diversity and unparalled taste. So, make the most of Poila Baisakh by indulging in traditional fare with these recipes.