The Indian culinary landscape is one diverse space where several regional cuisines thrive. And we are so grateful for the same. I mean, can you imagine our life without the staple North Indian curries or the aromatic Hyderabadi Biryani? And there are more, the Kashmiri Rogan Josh or the Bengali Maccher Jhol - both make for such a vibrant part of the cuisine as a whole. Speaking of Bengali cuisine, it comes with a rich history, culture and taste. The Bengal region is primarily known for its use of authentic spices and robust flavours that make the cuisine even more exciting. And Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu sure knows it well, as she is often seen relishing it to her heart’s delight.
Recently, she was seen going back to her roots and enjoying some yummy Bengali food! A foodie at heart, Bipasha is undoubtedly one of those actresses who not only enjoy having a host of delicious delicacies but also love to make them at home. The Bollywood star often shares her kitchen shenanigans on Instagram with her following of over 10m. From decadent desserts to a mouth-watering North Indian spread to even a simple bowl of ramen at times, Bipasha is often seen indulging in it all. That’s what happened recently when this time around, Bipasha savoured a flavourful Bengali plate, made by her mom.
Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a yummy-looking photo of pui saag and chingri. In the story, she also wrote, "Pui saag and chingri. Thank you, Ma. Love it @mumu_basu." Pui Saag curry is basically the Bengali version of vegetable stir fry that consists of various veggies like carrot, beans, potato, corn and greens. On the other hand, chingri curry is prawn malai curry, made using tiger and king prawns in coconut milk, and flavoured with spices. The dish is popular throughout Bengal and is served during many special occasions like weddings and celebrations. Take a look at Bipasha’s full story here:
Looks absolutely yummy, doesn’t it? If, like us, you too are wishing to enjoy some of these delightful bengali dishes at home, then you’ve got lucky as we have some easy recipes for the same.
To make Pui Saag curry at home, you need to first heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. After a while of spluttering the mustard seeds, simply add chopped vegetables of your choice such as carrots, potatoes, cauliflower and more. Now add salt, haldi and sugar, mix them up and stir fry till cooked. Add the pui leaves (Malabar Spinach) and let them cook thoroughly. That’s it, enjoy with your choice of bread or rice. Click here for the full recipe.
Now coming to chingri malai curry, first blanch the prawns in turmeric water. Heat mustard oil in a pan and add sugar along with spices such as whole cumin, ginger paste, cumin powder, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Sauté for a while, and then throw in the prawns and green chillies. Mix and then add the coconut milk. Let it cook for a few minutes, and add salt. Simply sprinkle garam masala and ghee on top right before serving hot. Isn’t that simple and quick? Click here for the full recipe.
Try these two classic Bengali dishes at home and share your experience with us.
