The India Meteorological Department reported that Kolkata woke up to gentle rain on 24 February, Tuesday morning. The entire city was enveloped in a haze of drizzle. This kind of weather is begging for comfort food, isn't it? From crispy pakoras to anything deep-fried, these monsoon treats are basically the main character of a rainy day. Trying these recipes at home is a fun way to celebrate the weather. Here are 7 Bengali snack recipes that are perfect with your tea and coffee.
Jhalmuri
The popular Bengali street food jhalmuri is renowned for its acidic, spicy, and crunchy tastes. With its delectable combination of puffed rice, chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chillies, slivered coconut slices, boiled or fried Bengal gram, toasted ground almonds, chutneys, and spices, it's a great and practical option for a light lunch or on-the-go snack. People of all ages love this delicious snack when taking a stroll in parks, shopping, or just resting on a calm evening.
Chop
Croquettes or fried cutlets are referred to as Bengali chops. These delicious, often deep-fried delicacies come in a wide variety, each with unique flavours and textures that are appreciated throughout the region. The chops are deep-fried till brown and crispy after being covered in a batter made with gram flour. They go well with a hot cup of tea or coffee and are served with ketchup and kasundi, a mustard relish.
Image Credit: Flickr
Chingri Cutlet
This is a great snack to have on a patio during the summer or monsoon season, especially with a bottle of Riesling or white wine. Black pepper, ginger, garlic, and green chillies are used to marinade the big king prawns. After that, they are formed into cutlets, coated with a flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture, and deep-fried until they are crispy. A smart option for a light snack or a party appetiser is prawn cutlets.
Singara
Singara, or deep-fried Bengali samosas, are a common snack. Flavourful spiced potatoes, occasionally accompanied by paneer or meat, fill these triangular cakes. Singara is a beloved street food, perfect for tea-time snacking and a delightful starter at celebrations. The best way to relish singara is when it's piping hot and crispy, often served with tomato sauce, green chutney, or tamarind chutney.
Nimki
Nimkis are a popular deep-fried snack that are often made from a simple dough of all-purpose flour, carom seeds (ajwain), nigella seeds (kalonji), salt, and water. The dough is rolled out, cut into diamond or rhombus shapes, and then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Nimkis are known for their delightful crunch and the aromatic flavours of the seeds used in the dough.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Telebhaja
Telebhaja refers to deep-fried fritters made from seasonal vegetables. In Bengali, 'Bhaja' translates to 'fried,' while 'Tele' signifies 'oil,' giving this dish its name, 'tele bhaja' meaning 'fried in oil'. The true delight of tele bhaja is experienced when it's piping hot and perfectly crispy, accompanied by a side of zesty green or tamarind chutney. Different seasonal veggies, like onions, potatoes, eggplant, capsicum, and more, are combined with rice, gram flour, spices, and deep-fried. There is beguni, which is made from thin slices of eggplant; pokori, which is different veggies or paneer; and piyaji, which are thin slices of onions dipped in batter and deep fried.
Egg Devil
Also called ‘dimer devil’, it is a popular Bengali street food made with boiled eggs coated in a spicy batter and deep-fried until crispy. It is a delicious and flavorful snack that is perfect for any time of the day. The crispy outer layer and the soft and creamy egg inside make it a delightful treat for egg lovers. Dimer devil is often served with ketchup or chutney and is a must-try dish for those who enjoy spicy and crispy snacks!