Bengali cuisine

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Bengali cuisine is a style of food preparation originating from Bengal, a region in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, which is now divided between Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam's Barak Valley. With an emphasis on fish, vegetables and lentils served with rice as a staple diet, Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle (yet sometimes fiery) flavours, and its huge spread of confectioneries and desserts.

History[edit | edit source]

Bengali cuisine has its roots in the history of the Bengal region, with significant influences from the Mughal and British cuisines. The cuisine evolved under the rule of the Mughal Empire, which introduced cooking techniques like marinating and the use of heavy spices. The British influence came in the form of baked goods and confectioneries.

Ingredients[edit | edit source]

The staple food of Bengali cuisine is rice, with a wide variety of rice dishes available. Fish is also a major part of the cuisine, with many dishes featuring freshwater fish. Vegetables, lentils, and fruits are also commonly used in Bengali dishes.

Dishes[edit | edit source]

Bengali cuisine is known for its variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. Some of the most popular dishes include Rasgulla, Sandesh, Mishti Doi, and Pantua. Savoury dishes include Panta bhat, Shorshe Ilish, and Chingri malai curry.

Festivals and Celebrations[edit | edit source]

Bengali cuisine is also closely tied to the region's festivals and celebrations. During Durga Puja, a major festival in Bengal, a variety of vegetarian dishes are prepared as offerings to the goddess Durga. During Eid ul-Fitr, a Muslim festival, special dishes like Biryani and Korma are prepared.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Bengali cuisine Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD