Bengali khana khazana

inside president pranab’s kitchen

 

Even though Pranab Mukherjee has not appointed a single Bengali so far in Rashtrapati Bhawan, he however quintessentially remains a Bengali in his habits, particularly when it comes to food. His favourite breakfast consists of luchi (Bengali puri) and an aloo subzi which is made without haldi and with green chillies and kala bhuna jeera. But the chef at Rashtrapati Bhawan was all at sea. So Pranabda’s daughter Sharmishta came into the kitchen and taught the chef how to prepare the new President’s favourite dish. In the meantime, dada’s cook Padam from 13 Talkatora Road has also been brought to Rashtrapati Bhawan and he will teach the other chefs what exactly the President relishes. For some time now, Pranabda has turned vegetarian and does not eat fish, which was earlier part of his daily diet like most Bengalis. So, Bengali vegetarian food is likely to become the staple diet of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Sharmishta, who is herself a Kathak dancer in her own right, is expected to play a bigger role now and may......Readmore