Panch phoron, a unique blend of five spices, holds a special place in Bengali kitchens. It consists of equal parts of fennel, cumin, nigella, fenugreek, and mustard seeds. This simple yet powerful mix makes every Bengali dish delicious with minimal effort. From the slightly bitter edge of fenugreek to the sweet notes of fennel, each spice adds a unique flavour. They blend to produce a symphony of flavours that enhance even the most straightforward meals.
Video Credit: YouTube | Bong Eats
Cooking with panch phoron is incredibly easy, making it accessible for novice and experienced cooks. These spice blends are versatile and can be used to make many lesser-known Bengali dishes full of flavour and aroma and easily prepared. These dishes often require just a handful of ingredients, allowing the panch phoron to shine truly.
Lesser Known Bengali Dishes With Panch Phoron
Bengali Dal With Panch Phoron
Bengali Dal with Panch Phoron is a comforting dish made from masoor dal or red lentils. The simplicity of this dish lies in its minimal ingredients, with panch phoron playing the lead role. After the lentils are cooked to a creamy consistency, they are tempered with panch phoron, onions, and green chilies. The tempering process allows the spices to release their oils and flavours, which infuse the dal with a distinct and inviting aroma. Served over steamed rice, this dal makes for a hearty and fulfilling meal.
Panch Mishali Torkari
Panch Mishali Torkari is a Bengali mixed-vegetable dish where an assortment of vegetables is first stir-fried and then steamed to perfection. This recipe uses cabbage, brinjal, borboti (yardlong beans), cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Tempering with panch phoron adds depth and flavour to each vegetable. Cooking the vegetables gently helps to accentuate each ingredient's inherent taste and texture as they simmer in their own juices. Try this dish, and you will understand how panch phoron can turn common vegetables into a tasty and filling supper.
Bengali Five-Spice Roasted Chicken
Bengali Five-Spice Roasted Chicken is an aromatic dish where panch phoron is used to marinate chicken and vegetables before roasting. The combination of yoghurt, ginger, garlic, and panch phoron creates a marinade that deeply penetrates the chicken, making it tender and flavourful. As the chicken roasts, the spices from the panch phoron caramelise, create a crunchy, flavour-packed crust. The vegetables roasted alongside the chicken soak up the spices, making each bite a delightful experience.
Bengali Kumro Chenchki
Kumro Chenchki is a traditional Bengali dish made with pumpkin and seasoned with panch phoron. The dish is quick to prepare and highlights the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, which is beautifully balanced by the pungent notes of mustard oil and the aromatic spices of panch phoron. This dish can be prepared in various ways, but the version excludes onions and garlic and offers a satvic option. Finishing it with a handful of pumpkin seeds adds crunch and texture, and makes it a distinguishable one on any dining table.
Video credit: YouTube | Rupa's Kitchen & Vlogs (Bengali)
Bhindi With Panch Phoron
Bhindi Sabzi with Panch Phoron is a dry preparation where tender okras are cooked with tomatoes and tempered with panch phoron. The panch phoron, along with the radhuni seeds, provides a distinct aroma and taste. The combination of the slightly tangy tomatoes, the tender okras, and the spices makes this dish a perfect accompaniment to rice or roti. This is a simple yet flavourful dish that showcases the versatility of panch phoron in everyday cooking.
Video credit: YouTube | Tasty & Aasan Recipes
Bengali Shukto
Bengali Shukto is a traditional dish combining bitter and creamy flavours. This dish uses a variety of vegetables, including bitter gourd, potato, brinjal, and raw banana, all cooked in a mildly spiced, creamy gravy. Panch phoron is used to temper the dish, providing a subtle spice that enhances the overall flavour profile. Shukto is often served as the first course in a Bengali meal, setting the stage for the flavours that follow. Its distinctive taste makes it a cherished dish in Bengali households, particularly during special occasions.
Bengali cuisine relies on panch phoron to enhance even the simplest dishes. This spice blend can make ordinary ingredients extraordinary, as shown in the lesser-known Bengali dishes above. Panch phoron gives Bengali cuisine a unique flavour in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.