Taste of tradition: Bengal's beloved morning sweets
What's the story
Bengal is world-famous for its sweet vegetarian breakfasts, that are steeped in tradition.
From the streets of Kolkata to the hinterlands, these joys offer a unique marriage of flavors and textures.
Let's take a look at the most popular ones that promise an amazing start to your day.
Fermented delight
Mishti doi: A sweet start
Mishti doi is a quintessential Bengali dessert made with fermented sweetened yogurt.
Traditionally, milk is boiled till it thickens and sugar/jaggery is added for sweetness. The mixture is allowed to ferment overnight, yielding a rich and creamy texture with a touch of caramel flavor.
Usually served in mud pots, mishti doi is not just scrumptious but also helps in digestion.
Fluffy bread combo
Luchi and alur dom: A perfect pair
For breakfast, you can head to Bengal.
Luchi is a deep-fried flatbread prepared with refined flour and is often served with alur dom, a spicy potato curry.
The two dishes together serve the purpose of providing sweetness and spice in one meal.
The soft luchi goes well with the spicy alur dom, making it an ideal breakfast option for the plate-loving soul.
Milk confectionery
Sandesh: A milk-based treat
Sandesh is yet another famous Bengali sweet that is made out of chenna or fresh paneer and sugar/jaggery.
You could flavor it with cardamom or saffron to add more taste.
Sandesh comes in different shapes and sizes, and is usually garnished with pistachios or almonds on top.
It is so light that it makes for a perfect breakfast without being too heavy on your stomach.
Rolled pancake
Patishapta: Crepe-like delicacy
Patishapta features paper thin crepes stuffed with a coconut and jaggery mixture, rolled into cylindrical forms before serving hot off the pan in winter months, particularly during the Makar Sankranti festival time period across the West Bengal region.
This mainly owing to its seasonal availability factor, coupled therein with other such delicacies like pithey, etc., alike thereof accordingly, ensuring utmost satisfaction guaranteed every single time indeed!