Soumi Goswami
Bong weddings are grand. The bride, the gold jewelry, and the food are the prime attractions of a typical Bengali wedding. With weddings taking place like Lokkhi Puja in Bengal right now, we bring to you the proper way to savor Bengali Biyebari food.
Note- These know-hows are also useful for those gate-crashing the weddings. Devour every bit of deliciousness before getting caught!
As you are to witness the fun-filled ride of peculiar customs, you will be greeted with mocktails and starters of tikka, pakoda, chop, soup in paper cups, and so on. Again, gate crashers might have to miss this one, as those going on the dais to greet the couple and offer gifts can only have this array of starters tension free. Just a ‘Hi- Hello’ but gatecrashers must keep low!
Buffets are not much in vogue on Bengali occasions. They like to treat their guests in a seating arrangement. Like hotels, the party section is decked up with tables and chairs for 4 to 5 people per table. Boasting creativity is a passion in this cultural part of the world. Hence, an abundance of creativity is seen as indifferently designed menu cards.
Menu Cards are also souvenirs, keepsakes, and return gifts in disguise
If you see a small teddy with a list of recipes printed on it, or a Japanese fan, or a cute key chain with this, don’t get it wrong. It is the creatively designed menu card boasting of all the dishes that will be coming your way!
As you go through the menu card, make up your mind and say- get set go to your tummy!
1. Kochuri with Kashmiri aloo dum/ Kabuli Chana- Eat not more than 2, to keep more space for bigger items.
2. Fish fry/Chicken Kabiraji/ Batter Fry- Just a few bites to check the taste.
3. Biryani/ Fried rice/ Peas Rice- Just enough as a main course, but still keep more space for mangsho, maach, and desserts.
4. Chicken Chaap/ Mutton Kosha/ Catla Kalia- Many will avoid fish but ardent fish lovers will only have one small gada piece with a bit of gravy. However one simply cannot leave kosha mangsho or chicken chap. Reyaji Khashir mangsho is the prime attraction in a biye bari platter. Loathing in oodles of dalda and rich red gravy mutton curry is the star of every occasion and the mind keeps telling the tummy that this is it! You have to devour this other than anything else.
5. Chutney and Papad- Just to change the taste in the mouth and prolong the lingering taste of a delicious meal.
6. Roshogolla- Two big ones, one at a time in the mouth. Gorom Rosogolla is the ultimate dessert.
7. Ice Cream- Can take two full scoops and will only have 2 to 3 spoons. Because the tummy is trying its best to fit everything.
8. Paan- To digest all the food, a misti paan does the final cut of the meal.
