Cook Like a Bong completed 100,000 pageviews in its new avatar. Plus, our Facebook page crossed 160 fans [of which, 100 came in last 3 weeks!]. OMG, can’t stop smiling. đ

In retrospect, I could see several factors contributing to it, but the discussion deserves a separate post. So, moving on…
To mark the occasion [1 lakh pageviews in 6 months and 100 facebook fans in 3 weeks], we’re starting a new series –Â Potpourri.
Potpourri: Carnival of Bengali Cuisine
Literally, Potpourri means an assortment of several [incongruous] items. Starting today, every fortnight we plan to share the most interesting ‘discoveries’ [links of course :)] related to bengali food on the internet. Please pass on any interesting link that you come across (over email, comments or facebook).
Whats different from an Event?
Well, many things. For starters, in events we talk about only one aspect of food – recipes. And there too, only the recipes posted on blogs. Even then, several event organizers required you to ‘repost’ the content for participation [never really understood the reason for this extra work]. Thats quite a convoluted requirement and misses an entire gamut of online resources.
Thus, generally events miss several interesting aspects of food – food in movies, literature and music, memoirs, influences, popular culture, restaurants and (unfortunately) the chef.
Potpourri will try and talk about these related aspects – with a single minded focus on Bengali food. We’ll start with a biweekly (once in 2 weeks) post on the interesting reads in several categories. Initially, we expect that most of these links would come from usual browsing (Sudeshna’s and mine). However, we expect that as the series picks up momentum a couple of months later, several of our readers would contribute.
Here we go with the first edition of Potpourri.
Popular Culture
The Telegraph had an article on 50 reasons not marry a Bengali man back in October. Predictably, #1 was his hatred for every fish but Ilish (Hilsa). Another reason was ‘men actually look down on women for chewing fishbones‘. Of the 50 reasons, 20+ were food related. The article became an instant hit and did rapid online rounds. Last Sunday, they came out with.. No prizes for guessing.. 50 reasons not marry a Bengali woman. Could you read and tell how many reasons are related to food?
In my backyard
Andy De talks about his sojourn with Aaheli at Peerless Inn in Kolkata [the post is almost 3 yrs old]. The Bangali Bhadrolok ambiance attracts him and so does the delicacies served (which inlcudes Kacha Aamer Sharbot, Bhetki Paturi and Morolla Maacher Bati Chorchori). Andy asserts that food is raison dâetre of Bengalis and that Bengalis are a tribe of Bon-Vivants (of refined tastes, esp. in food and drinks). Well, we can’t agree more.
City Bites
Bengalis residing outside Bengal used to crib about non availability of their favorite delicacies. And when they were available, it was either a bastardized version or extraordinarily costly. Well, not anymore. Several restaurants/eateries have opened shop across Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai in recent years.
Kalyan Karmakar writes about his visit to Hangla’s, a bong eatery in Lokhandwala, Bandra, Mumbai. And here’s another take on the same food joint. Nishant Singh, in the post, says – Hangla is changla! Interestingly, both the reviews are quite different. Read it to appreciate the perspective of both sides.
Deccan Herald talks about a couple of Bengali restaurants in Bangalore. The news piece, however, misses Bhajo Hori Manna though, my personal favorite. Looks like I’ll have to take up the cudgels to review this wonderful restaurant.
Heritage
Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta rediscovered his palate a year back. In this article, he examines the food and cuisine of Bengal in Colonial era. Interestingly, the Brits saahebs distinguished themselves from native bangalis by eating loads of meat. Read the article and Nation on a Platter: the Culture and Politics of Food and Cuisine in Colonial Bengal, by Jayanta Sengupta to know more.

Impact
Your last Ilish Curry may only be a couple of years away. Jaideep Mazumdar explains in this Outlook article. The culprit – wrong timing of catching the fish. Ilish swims from the sea up a river to spawn.It lays eggs and gets back, and thats when it should be caught. But it’s usually caught on its journey from the sea to the river. This, plus the surge in the demand for Ilish during off season. Next stop? Ilish from Gujarat. But, can the bong taste bud appreciate Gujju Hilsa?
You can find the assortment of all these links in StumbleUpon profile of bengalicuisine. Check it out.
If you like this post, please consider linking to it or sharing it with others. Iâll love to hear your comments too. You can also Subscribe to BengaliCuisine by Email, or Subscribe in a reader

Kalyan, congrats on the popularity of your blog. Keep it up.
Thanks for featuring my post. For thos interested, there is a Hangla at Bandra too. Here’s my take on that http://finelychopped-k.blogspot.com/2009/12/mainland-china-from-speciality.html
I had an egg roll there on Saraswati Pujo in memory of all those wonderful times from the past
Kalyan
Dear Sudeshna,
Congrats on the Stats!!! That was a good read… Interesting information.
Congrats on the stats! Interesting information. Loved reading through it. đ
.-= Arundhuti´s last blog ..ShorshĂ© Ilish (Hilsa in Mustard Sauce) =-.
That was a good read. Congrats on the stats. Loved the Hangla review by both
Thanks Sandeepa. Do share with us any links you get on Bong food, culture and arts. So that we can put it in our next Potpourri edition.
Congrats Sudeshna! It is interesting to know more about bengali food and culture other than what is shown on movies or stories.Chocker bali is one of my fav movies u know!
Poetry,literature,dance and fine things are all part of bengali culture..could relate to that when you write đ
.-= ruchikacooks´s last blog ..Moong Dal Halwa for ICC =-.
Hi Ruchika,
Thanks for your comment here. Even we felt the same, so this potpourri series. Please do share with us any link that you get related to Bengali food, culture or arts, rather anything that relates to this community. :).
That was a good read..and fun with those link to the telegraph !!
Congrats on your blogs achievements !!!