This scrumptious Bengali vegetarian dish is totally satvik which means it is made without onion and garlic. In fact Bengali vegetarian dishes are Satvik most of the time. I enjoy serving this special lentil cakes simmered in a aromatic gravy for parties and or any get together although this is a time consuming recipe with lot of steps but worth it.
Fish, specially fresh kind is staple in Bengali households. My father often bought small carp type live fish from a local morning market for light fish curry which my mother would cook for lunch. When we visited grandparents(from father's side) house in a countryside surrounded by many vegetable plants, tropical trees and two medium ponds, sometimes we were served pan fried fish, simple fish stew and other home grown vegetarian items for lunch. This simple fish stew with bluegill surely brings back my childhood memories.
Shukto, a traditional bitter sweet vegetable medley of Portuguese origin savored with warm rice in the beginning of Bengali lunch. This pure vegetarian dish has a very subtle flavor and taste. No onion and garlic are used. No need to add aromatic flavor either. Every family has its own recipe. Some people like mustard or poppy seeds paste for seasonings. Some use little ginger paste and milk at the end of the cooking. Both recipes taste equally great.
Before we bid adieu to summer, I am sharing another spectacular cheesecake recipe bursting with summer's bounty berries folded into rich-velvety cream cheese batter on a pre-baked gluten free brownie crust that I made 2 weeks back. It was simply delicious and devoured by family, friends and neighbors.
When you craving for dessert, make cheesecake. It's easy to prepare and crowd pleasing. I made this decadent cheesecake using fresh mango, one of the guilt free desserts. This velvety smooth and golden yellow color cheesecake is low in fat, low in sugar and gluten free, what more can you expect?
Pabda/Pabo Catfish is a very popular fish in Bengali cuisine and it tastes great anyway you prepare it. In fact this type of fresh water fish doesn't need much preparation or elaborate ingredients. I bought a few packages of this fish from a Asian supermarket( sold as frozen, 14 oz. pack). I made light curry a couple of weeks back and saved some to make with poppy seeds paste.
