Ilish Macher Jhol -- (Ilish macher patla jhol) – Hilsa cooked in Thin Running Gravy

Ilish Mach/Hilsa is getting so costly these days and rarely the good ones are found in the fish market. With Ilish/Hilsa season around, it invites one, specially the Hilsa lovers, to buy and get the taste from the different preparations in one’s own kitchen.

Sweet Dish – Something which my Mother made Tasty and Different…Ma's Homely Kalakand

This is a simple Sweet Dish which my Ma made and how we relished it.

…and I made this specially when my milkman gave me large quantities of milk that curdled in his huge milk can during the peak summer days.

Knowing very well that he would not return with the curdled milk, he would come to me and ask if I would like to have some and that too without paying for it. He travelled long distance from early morning distributing the required quantity in different homes.

Aloo-bhate/Simple Potato dish – It’s all in the Name

I never thought I would be sharing this simple thing. Someone was very curious to know all about the Bengali Aloo-bhate. All I could describe was hidden in the smile that came to me. She felt silly for she did not know how Bengalis make their food take a name even if that preparation was the simplest.

Beguni/Baingan ka pakora/Aubergine Fritters/ – Snack for all seasons and on a rainy day say ‘Aha!’ while eating it

Beguni or the North Indians like to call this Baingan ka pakora is all about Tele Bhaja in a Bengali tone and something deep fried in a regular way so to speak.

“What’s in a name”, that’s more corresponding in a Shakespearean style. After all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.