Durga Puja celebrations are incomplete without its accompanying feasts. Whether at home or at a restaurant, every meal has to be special during the pujo days. Family and friends come together and share the festive cheer over lavish meals. If you are planning on making festive feasts at home during this time, then check out My Kolkata’s recommendation of five recipes for the five days of Durga Puja from the ’gram.
Panchami — Soft Radhaballavi and spicy Alur Dum
Panchami beckons the festive mood and people are already out celebrating. But keeping the days ahead in mind, you might want to go light on Panchami. So, why not start with a sumptuous breakfast? Radhaballavi and Alur Dum is one of the favourite breakfast options during pujo (or anytime). And if homemade, it will certainly taste better! Check out this easy Radhaballavi recipe by @weekend_flavours_. You can pair it up with a Kosha Alur Dum and enjoy it with your loved ones.
Sasthi — bhapa Chana
For the sixth day of pujo, you can go with a simple yet delicious Bhapa Chana recipe. This recipe by @pikturenama can easily be made at home from scratch with only a few ingredients. All you have to do is make your own cottage cheese at home and add in some mustard paste, coconut and a few other basic ingredients. You can make it creamier with some poppy seed paste! Serve it with plain white rice and watch your loved ones lick their fingers!
Saptami — Creamy Coriander Chicken
The Saptami menu calls for something a little special. If you are looking for a unique chicken recipe, then @__justanothercook__ has the right one for you. With minimum effort, you can make a creamy chicken curry flavoured with coriander. It is a perfect addition to both lunch and dinner menus as it can be relished with rice, parathas, rotis and other staples. Not very rich, yet the creaminess wins the game here.
Ashtami/Navami — Mutton Dakbungalow
For Bengalis, mutton is an emotion, just like pujo. When there is non-vegetarian fare on the menu for any festival, you can certainly expect at least one mutton preparation. If you are bored with the same Mangshor Jhol and Kosha, then it's time to look beyond. Check this Mutton Dakbungalow recipe by @hungry.soulmates. Although a popular recipe, Mutton Dakbungalow is mostly spotted in restaurants and weddings menus. Tender pieces of mutton in a thick gravy with boiled eggs make it a double treat for meat and egg lovers. As Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day this year, you can make this restaurant-style showstopper dish and surprise your family and guests.
Dashami — Chhanar Jilipi
Everything that ends with a sweet dish, ends well! So does Durga Puja. As we bid goodbye to the Goddess, we do so with sweets. Mukh mishti is mandatory. Sandesh and other mishtis are exchanged. Keeping in mind the spirit of Bijoya Dashami, @the_bong_gastronomist has shared a delectable Chhanar Jilipi recipe. If you want to give your friends and relatives something homemade, then this can be the best sweet dish to spread joy and love.