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fireofunknownorigin's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
2.75
khepiari's review
5.0
'Finding that I was still alive despite my impudence, I opened my eyes and looked at the images of Krishna. Was there a responsive flicker in the beautiful elongated eyes carved in that gleaming black face? I no longer remember. But I do have this memory of bringing my hand back to my face and slowly, deliberately, finishing the rest of the fruits with an extraordinarily intense satisfaction. There were no doubts in my mind about the divine sanction of that fruity morsel. Could there be a truer experience of love?'
Food, every Bengali's first and only true love. This is a book that chronicles the life a woman who grew up collecting 'batasha' and listening to tales of cream stealing naughty god. It is also a cookbook which has picked out the most common & essential recipes of our Bengali Cuisine.
The author very lucidly moves from the semi-vegetarian Ghoti hearth of subtle flavours to a Bangal wizardry of fish, mutton & utilitarian vegetarian recipes made of shoots and peeled skins. Simultaneously she married a Muslim man from Bangladesh only to learn of the spell called onion, blood preserved Ilish and concludes all Bengalis irrespective of cast, locality and religion unite for this awful fish.
Eventually realises cooking is magic & celebration but a way of grounding women. As she recalls customs & rituals would-be-bride had to go through by exhibiting cutting & cooking delicate vegetables!
She also explains various rituals married with food, brings out Portuguese connection with present day Chanar Sandesh, gives Bonti it's due credits, explains the spices. Author recalls the hapless Helping Hand 'Patoler Ma' who could hardly afford a single spice, and is angered by how Widows are deprived of non-vegetarian food and forced to follow malnutrient customs!
Well researched, crisp, fast & descriptive enough to make you hungry.
Food, every Bengali's first and only true love. This is a book that chronicles the life a woman who grew up collecting 'batasha' and listening to tales of cream stealing naughty god. It is also a cookbook which has picked out the most common & essential recipes of our Bengali Cuisine.
The author very lucidly moves from the semi-vegetarian Ghoti hearth of subtle flavours to a Bangal wizardry of fish, mutton & utilitarian vegetarian recipes made of shoots and peeled skins. Simultaneously she married a Muslim man from Bangladesh only to learn of the spell called onion, blood preserved Ilish and concludes all Bengalis irrespective of cast, locality and religion unite for this awful fish.
Eventually realises cooking is magic & celebration but a way of grounding women. As she recalls customs & rituals would-be-bride had to go through by exhibiting cutting & cooking delicate vegetables!
She also explains various rituals married with food, brings out Portuguese connection with present day Chanar Sandesh, gives Bonti it's due credits, explains the spices. Author recalls the hapless Helping Hand 'Patoler Ma' who could hardly afford a single spice, and is angered by how Widows are deprived of non-vegetarian food and forced to follow malnutrient customs!
Well researched, crisp, fast & descriptive enough to make you hungry.
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