This is freshly made paneer or ‘chhena’ ( a.k.a. ‘chhana’) or fresh Indian cheese. The texture of this cheese is slightly firmer than ricotta cheese, the latter being very creamy. However, if you knead it well, this ‘chhena’ becomes very smooth and creamy, too. Also, the process of making ricotta cheese and ‘chhena’ are the same. Even though an internet-search shows paneer is ‘cottage cheese’, the texture of the two are very different. Cottage cheese is loose with curds while paneer or ‘chhena’ is not loose.
‘Chhena’ can be easily made at home and stored in an airtight container, mixed with sugar and other flavors to prepare sweets or desserts during the Indian festive season! Continue reading
Bengali Food Recipes
Sunday Mangsho-r Jhol (a Bengali mutton curry recipe)
This is the quintessential, simple, mutton (goat) stew that is made in most Bengali homes on a Sunday afternoon. Of course, it is meant to be relished and devoured with ‘gorom bhaat’ (steamed white rice). Continue reading
Nolen Gur | Khejur Gur | Date Palm Jaggery | Patali Gur ~ Uniquely Bengal (Winter Superfood)
The jaggery wrapped in a local Bengali newspaper
What is ‘Nolen Gur’? Why is it so unique?
‘Nolen Gur’, ‘Notun Gur’ or ‘Khejur Gur’ is Date Palm Jaggery that is unique to Bengal. With the onset of a nip in the air, the local sweet (dessert) shops, in my hometown of Kolkata, are buzzing with eager customers buying the dairy-based sweets made with the ‘New Jaggery’. ‘Nolen’ stands for new, and ‘gur’ stands for jaggery.
Delicious Bengali desserts recipes using Nolen Gur on my blog are:
Nolen Gur-er Patishapta Pitha
Nolen Gur-er Naru or Coconut Jaggery Balls
Chicken Keema Masala Recipe ~ Indian Minced Chicken Curry
This is fresh, spicy, and homemade minced chicken or chicken keema for the winter-struck soul. Continue reading
Rose Sandesh Recipe | Indian Rose Mithai | Rose-flavored Sweet Cheese Fudge | How to make Rose Shondesh
The soft goodness of Sondesh with the flavor of real rose…
‘Shondesh’ is a type of sweet treat that is typical to Kolkata or (Calcutta, if you please!) And it’s notorious for it’s popularity among Bengalis! It is high in protein because it’s made with cheese or ‘chhana’ or ‘chena’ that is derived from fresh whole milk. The added delight to this is the number of flavors it comes in. Shondesh can be consumed as a treat just by itself, a snack or even as a dessert. I do know people in Calcutta who literally need to eat one shondesh a day after their meal or that meal remains incomplete! But then again, we have to agree that in Calcutta sweets are not only popular, they are readily and very easily available in the city. Outside Bengal, it is known as ‘sandesh‘. Continue reading
Bengali Shrimp, Cauliflower, Potato Curry | Chingri Phulkopi Recipe
A true Bengali dish, goes best with hot steamed rice!
One of my personal favorites, this dish is not just special to me but to most Bengalis I know! A flavorful dish with shrimps (or prawns), cauliflower and potatoes! Comfort food, at it’s best.
Continue reading
Indian Goat (mutton) Curry with Spicy Yogurt Sauce + Sweet Rice Pulao Recipe
Happy Father’s Day and it’s Sunday!
It is Sunday! And It’s Father’s’ Day. How perfect. What better recipe to share on Father’s Day than of Goat Curry (for the non-vegetarian dads, of course) Want to treat Dad with a meal worth remembering? Try this rich, spicy and finger-licking-good goat curry and pulao dish which complements the meat perfectly. Continue reading
Chicken Curry Recipe (Canteen Style)
This takes me back to my days in University!
Canteen is a restaurant or eating place provided by an organization like an educational institution (school, college, university), military camp etc. In India we refer to them as ‘canteen’, probably taking after the British who ruled the country for almost a century. In America, ‘canteens’ are better known as ‘cafeterias’. So what has it got to do with this recipe?
An Artsy Appetite 