Poila Baisakh 2023: 7 delectable Bengali food items to gorge on this festive season

Festivals in India are always incomplete without food. With Baisakhi, Bihu, Vishu and Poila Baisakh around the corner, we bring you some Noboborsho-special traditional food recipes that you can easily make at home and relish! 

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Daab chingri: Bengalis are incomplete without their fish. On this particular occasion of Noboborsho, taste some fantastic 'daab chingri' with steamed rice. Made with the goodness of tender coconut and prawns, it makes your mouth water. Most Bengalis add this to their New Year menu to add a bit of variety to the platter. The prawns are exotic, complementing the coconut so well that one eats at least two to three before jumping on the other food items. 

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Chaanar Payesh: A Bengali thali is incomplete without desserts. This item is 'channa' (fresh cottage cheese) dunked in thick, condensed milk with loads of dry fruits and nuts. Once it has been prepared, which is usually a day before April 15, it is stored in the refrigerator so that it cools. The following day, right after the five-course meal in the afternoon, everyone waits to jump and savour this fantastic dessert. Try out Chaanar Payesh this Bengali New Year if you still have not!

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Alu posto: This signature Bengali dish is potatoes fried and cooked in thick gravy of poppy seeds, and is an absolute must on the Bengali New Year. You cn have it with luchi or can simply taste it with steamed rice. Very often, this dish is treated as a starter alongside biuli or moong er daal. Be it any season, this simple dish calls for love and admiration from this community, across the world. Enjoy this dish on Poila Baisakh this year!

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Rasgulla: Roshogolla is nothing less than a Bengali staple meal that needs no introduction. This dessert is so spongy that it may please your taste buds. This can be made with cheena and sweet syrup. Exchange this delightful treat with one another to spread the joy of the holiday.

Mutton Kosha: The most popular dish during Poila Baisakh is the Bengali Kosha Mangsho. Unlike the typical chicken curry, you have to prepare this dish according to traditional Bengali methods. Bengali kasha mangsho must also have potatoes added in addition to the chicken. You can enjoy the Bengali Kosha Mangsho with rice or chapati on this special occasion.

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Basanti Polao: Also known as Mishti or Mithe Pulao, this classic dish of Basanti Pulao is a Bengai festive delicacy that is made during the event of Durga Puja or Bengali new year. The flavorful rice dish, together with the health benefits of raisins and cashew nuts, give this recipe for Pulao a regal touch. This recipe is a must try at home thanks to its distinctive flavours and sugary touch. This dish is a must-try if you enjoy sweet recipes!

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Shorshe Ilish: In a traditional Bengali family, fish symbolises good luck. Be it any Bengali celebration, a fish dish should be a part of it. You can make various dishes with fish, like fish curry, fish pakora and more. However, 'Shorshe ilish' is a special delicacy made with Hilsa dipped in mustard curry paste and enjoyed all the more on the Bengali New Year.