Food is an important part of the “Bong” identity. History has woven an intimate relationship between Bengalis and good food and this closeness resonates through their weddings. No matter if you choose to go traditional or contemporary, here is a guide to setting up an impressive menu for your Bengali wedding.
What has changed?
Until a few years ago, most Bengali marriage celebrations kept the original recipes of conventional dishes, thus offering the opportunity to enjoy the true pleasure of Bong. With urbanization influencing every aspect of our lives, wedding dinners have also added a modern twist to the dishes and the way dinner is served.
Traditionally, at Bengali weddings, food is served in banana leaves and water in rustic terracotta glasses. Exotic buffet dinners are now rapidly replacing this tradition at most weddings.
The traditional Bengali menu
A traditional Bengali menu brings together the flavors of Indian spices wrapped in interesting combinations. Rice with Moong Dhal is a staple at all Bengali weddings. The first round of serving begins with Shukto, a common household food in West Bengal. The dish is a variety of vegetables that are seasoned with a slightly bitter taste.
The main purpose of this dish is to cleanse the palate and ensure that the next pleasure is enjoyed to the fullest. This is followed by a list of other homemade Bengali delicacies such as channa dhal (a stew made from pulses), aloo bhajja (fried potato strips), Phool kopi (potato and cauliflower mix), and begini fried sliced eggplant. with chickpeas. dough.
Modern Bengali broadcast
Contemporary weddings serve up glamorous dishes that retain traditional flavors with better garnish and presentation. Food counters serving Naan, Phulka, Pulao with an interesting variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes of Bengali cuisine make the reception dinner magnificent and exceptional. Traditional sweets are replaced by ice cream and gulab jamuns. Well decorated salad bars serving different types of salads, sandwiches and tandoori dishes are becoming popular at Bengali weddings.
the love of fish
The Bengali love for fish is well known. However, it is not just fish, but a whole range of non-vegetarian Bengali dishes that should be part of a wedding reception to ensure that you have satisfied the palates of all your guests. The Bhetki machar, Hilsha machar jhol, Koi Kalia and Chingris are the popular seafood delicacies of West Bengal. Other popular non-vegetarian dishes include Mutton Kabiraji (lamb cutlet), Dak Bungalow (lamb curry), and chicken cooked in tomato sauce and seasoned with poppy seeds.
delicious desserts
Bengali desserts are loved by people from all states of India. No matter how elaborate and grand a wedding is, it’s only fair to serve these special desserts to guests. The most popular West Bengal desserts are Rasagullas, Rasa Malai, Sandesh and Jhola gur. The party then comes to an end with a portion of the traditional frying pan.
Bengalis have an extreme love for food and a wedding is the best time to treat your friends and family to good food. Regardless of the style of the wedding, it is recommended to retain the original Bengali flavors to bring out the true essence of the state’s rich culture and heritage.
