Healthy Living With Bengali Cuisine

The cooking of special aromatic, deep, and delicious Bengali cuisine has been very significant in every Bengali's life. Especially the warm and fragrant homemade Bengali cuisine on special occasions has always been an exciting part of every Bengali. For many Bengalis, hilsa fish dipped in a rich mustard curry with fragrant steamed rice, has always been a must-have lunch during the rainy season. Bengali cuisine has been known to have diverse ingredients for cooking that offer complete health benefits. The fish are known to be a staple food for Bengalis and are rich in Omega-3, mustard oil used in dishes is known to be a healthy fat, and ghee are best alternative to sunflower oil.

Growing Concern For Health

The growing concern for adulteration in food ingredients among Bengalis has been preventing them from enjoying authentic Bengali cuisine. MonBangla has the perfect solution to combat the rising concern for getting authentic Bengali food ingredients and products by offering pure Gawa ghee, sona mung dal, Nabadweep Sorer Ghee are made from grass-fed local cows of the region; the golden colour ghee is used as a offering in religious rituals, and fragrant Gobindobhog rice is used in making payesh and khichdi. Nabadweep are famous for deep flavorful misti doi and aromatic sorer ghee.

 

Monbangla As A Healthy Living Choice

MonBangla products have authentic Bengali ingredients that are not only healthy but also can be satisfying to tastebuds with no compromise in health. The health-conscious can source it from online grocery shopping stores.

Tips For Healthy Living With Monbangla

The Bengali cuisines are known to be very rich and spicy reflecting the long heritage of Bengali culture. Fish and rice are known to be staples for Bengalis with regional variations in the preparation such as coastal lands are famous for offering seafood and inland areas are famous for freshwater fish. The liberal use of mustard oil, and panch phoron in the cooking of fish curry has been an important part of cooking Bengali food. With the growing awareness for health among health-conscious people the MonBangla has the perfect tips for healthy eating.

Choosing Banshkathi rice

The Banshkathi rice is better for digestion and has the perfect blend of essential nutrition required for healthy living.

Varieties of dal/pulses

The use of sona masoor and sona mung dal are excellent combinations of protein and fibre for both vegetarian and nonvegetarian people who are looking for a plant-based diet.

Ghee as an alternative to processed oil

Ghee products such as Nabadweep sorer ghee and Gawa Ghee can be flavourable and healthy alternatives to processed oil and butter. The ghee sourced from authentic suppliers who use grass-fed cows to source nutritious ghee is best for health. The ghee can boost immunity, is rich in healthy fats and improves brain function.

Jaggery as a healthy snack

Jaggery is a healthy choice to include as a snack for satisfying a sweet tooth. It is a healthy alternative to processed white sugar. Jaggery is known to retain a few minerals such as iron, magnesium, etc that are not found in white sugar. Sourced seasonal jaggery from local suppliers such as kejur patali (date palm jaggery), pure jhola nolen gur, and pure dana nolen gur. When used in moderation jaggery can be excellent and beneficial for health. By adding jaggery one can satisfy the taste buds and manage the calorie intake.

Recipes For Healthy Living With Monbangla

MonBangla has been an advocate of healthy living with authentic Bengali food ingredients. Here are a few recipes shared that are simple yet highly nutritious

Mung Dal Khichuri with seasonal vegetables

From the house of MonBangla, the simple yet highly nutritious and easy to digest, mung dal khichdi has been shared. The recipe is a must-have dish in every Bengali house during rainy and festive seasons.

Ingredients:

MonBangla Moong dal (split yellow lentils):1 cup

MonBangla Masoor dal ( (sona masoori): ½ cup (optional)

MonBangla Gobindobhog rice (or any type of rice):1 cup

Cauliflowers (seasonal): 1

Green peas: 1/4 cup

Ginger:1-inch piece, grated

Green chilies:1-2 (as per taste)

Turmeric powder:1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Bay leaf :1

Cinnamon stick :1 inch

Cardamom: 2

Cloves: 2-3

Mustard oil (or ghee) :1 tbsp

Salt: as per taste

Water: 4-5 cups

 

Instructions:

1. First moong dal should be roasted on a low flame until the release of aroma and change in colour of the dal. After that wash it and keep it aside.
2. Rice should be washed until the water runs clear.
3. On a large kadai, heat the mustard oil/ Ghee on a medium flame. Now after heating the oil add bay leaf cumin seeds, and whole garam masala and let them roast for a minute until they change in colourand release an
4. Now add vegetables and fry them until they release of flavour now add grated ginger, tomatoes, and green chillies. Fry it for a few minutes.
5. Add the cleaned rice and moong dal to the kadai, and roast the mix well.
6. Add turmeric, a pinch of sugar, red chili powder, and salt to the mix.
7. After that add water and bring to boil and cook until the dal and rice are cooked well.
8. After that add ghee before removing it from the oven add garam masala / roasted masala and cover it immediately. Serve it with any deep fries.

Health Benefits of simple mung dal khichdi:

Dal is known to be rich in protein and fibers and rice is known to be rich in minerals. The dal khichdi is a simple yet highly nutritious food. The additional vegetables in the dish have made the dish a complete meal. Cooked in healthy fats such as ghee or mustard oil the dish is good for a healthy heart too.

Basmati Pulao:

Ingredients:

MonBangla Basmati rice : 1 cup washed and soaked for 30 minutes

MonBangla Premium & Pure Gawa Ghee : 2 tablespoon

MonBangla whole garam masala :1 tsp

Onion : 1 thinly sliced

Green chilies : as per taste(optional)

Bay leaf :1 or 2,

Cinnamon : 1 long piece

Cloves : 3-4

Green cardamom : 3-4

Cumin seeds : 1 tablespoon

Vegetables: peas, carrots, beans, potatoes diced

Salt to taste

Cashews and raisins : as per taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. the basmati rice should be washed and soak for 30 minutes
2. oil should heated on a kadai now add whole garam masala and stir it for short time until the release of flavor. First of all kaju and kismis should be fried if adding
3. now add onions and fry it until golden and add chillis
4. fry the vegetables until they release flavor
5. rice should be added and fry it for few minutes
6. Add Water and salt to taste. Bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce the flame. cook it until water us absorbed. Remove it from the oven and garnish it with kaju and kismis. fluff the pulao gently with a fork. Enjoy it with aloo dam / mutton kosa / side dish.

 

Conclusion

The Monbangla has been helping many Bengalis who are living abroad and other states to stay deeply rooted in their heritage by introducing authentic Bengali food ingredients and Bengali food products. The intention of providing the tips and recipes is to help those health-conscious people choose to find the balance between modern lifestyle with traditional Bengali food products. The Bengali food products are the perfect balance to keep nourishing the body with authentic Bengali food ingredients without any worry about unhealthy eating. MonBangla has helped many diaspora Bengalis to stay connected to their roots by providing a holistic lifestyle by offering authentic Bengali food ingredients. Through this MonBangla has now become a household name.