Video: How To Cook Chingri Maacher Malai Curry | Prawns in Coconut Milk

No one can deny the look, taste and aroma of authentic Bengali dishes! Many true-blue and traditional Bengali dishes are gradually getting lost as time goes by. There are many families who hold on to their traditional recipes, especially during pujas and celebration times. Among many such recipes, Chingri Maacher Malai Curry oe Prawns in Coconut Milk occupies a special place in the hearts of Bengali food lovers. Let's see how you can prepare this recipe easily...

Durga Puja, Shubho Bijoya et al.

Durga Puja...the biggest extravaganza and festive grandeur of the Bengalis are finally over. And I guess, we are still drooling over pre and post-puja merrymaking, sumptuous luncheons and dinners! Vijaya Dashami - marking the closure of Durga Puja and the immersion of the Goddess, comes with its own splendor and color...not to forget the huge variety of sweet dishes and homemade delicacies that we get to enjoy each year! Bengalis prepare a whole lot of mouthwatering dishes on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashami and Lakshmi Puja. It is the time of mingling with near and dear ones and getting drenched in festive fervor. Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is another important event for most Bengali families in India and abroad, when the Goddess of wealth is worshipped with lavish 'bhog' offerings. The festive spirit continues up to Diwali and Kali Puja, when people engage in the festival of lights and bursting crackers. Deepavali sweets have their signature taste and color. People visit their dear ones and relatives with beautifully designed boxes of sweets. Diwali is followed by Bhai Phonta or Bhai Dooj, which is celebrated with many rituals along with a grand feast arranged for the brothers. So the gala treats just go on and on...

Hope you all had a fantastic Durga Puja! Here's wishing all of you a very happy Deepavali, Kali Puja and Bhai Phonta!

Sunday Brunch, Lazy Sunday Wishlist

The reason I call it 'brunch' is because of those late lunches I have on Sundays after having a fill of luchi, aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari for breakfast...and that too around 10.30 or 11 in the morning! So yeah...it's Sunday brunch for me...from breakfast to lunch :)


I generally get up late on Sundays after rolling lazily  on bed for quite sometime. After that, I relish the delicious luchi, aloo bhaja combo that Ma prepares at home. For all those who don't know...luchi-aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari is a traditional and perhaps the most popular breakfast on the Bengali platter on any given day. Most true-blue Bengalis would swear by this finger-licking treat. And yes, Bengali luchis are way softer, fluffier and tastier than pooris prepared in North and rest of India.

But hey...wait! Sundays wouldn't be over without a lavish lunch! So after those drool-worthy luchis, it's time for me to gorge on a delicious spread of authentic Bengali meal. Most Sundays it's bhat or gheebhat (fried rice), fries or machh bhaja (fried fish), dal, any kind of seasonal vegetable curry or aloo posto (another authentic Bengali dish), macher jhaal (fish curry) or any preparation of chicken, chutney or mishti doi (sweet yogurt) followed by meetha paan. On a rainy day, it's khichuri and ilish machh bhaja. Phew! Sumptuous Sundays, I must say!

It goes without a doubt that we all crave for the weekends, especially Sundays. It's a day when we let go of all our reservations, diets, rules and reservations and engage in unlimited masti - be it with friends, relatives or family. Sundays are lazy, crazy and meant for absolute fun without even an iota of glum. My idea and wishlist  of an ideal Sunday would be - mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, long hours of hang out with friends, family and loved ones, loads of music and movies, ice creams, shopping followed by a quiet candlelit dinner. Awesome...isn't it? But don't you think that 24 hours is little too short for all this? But I would be the happiest if it actually happens...so here's keeping my fingers crossed :)