Fresh spices and leafy vegetables play a crucial role in the diverse range of Bengali dishes that offer not just flavour but also ͏important nutrients. One such herb, yet less well-known, that frequently adorns Bengali tables is Gandal Pata, also known as Paederia foetida, or skunk vine.
This aromatic plant is famous for its flavour and fragrance, which are described as a cross between garlic and grass. Gandal pata is a beloved dish in West Bengal that adds a strong taste to a variety of recipes. It is frequently used in traditional Bengali cuisine, which honours the seasonality of the ingredients. This herb can be used ͏in ͏b͏oth fish and ve͏getarian dishes to b͏oo͏st flavours and offer extra health benefits due to its versatility.
Gandal Patar Bora
The classic Bengali fritter, gandal patar bora, turns the fragrant leaves into a crispy, savoury bite. Gandal pata should be finely chopped and combined with besan (gram flour), chopped onions, green chillies, and a teaspoon of turmeric. For a light, crispy texture, baking soda and salt are added to the batter. After that, tiny pieces of this mixture are deep-fried in hot oil until crisp and golden brown. Especially during the rainy season when the leaves are abundant, gandal patar bora is frequently served as a side dish during meals or as an evening snack with hot tea.
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Gandal Patar Jhol With Potol And Kachkala
This nourishing and flavourful Bengali dish is made with gandal pata, potol (pointed gourd), and kachkala (green banana). To start, temper mustard oil with bay leaves, dried red chillies, and panch phoron (a five-spice mixture). Then, chopped onion is fried till golden brown, then turmeric, ginger, and garlic powder are added. Next, add chopped tomatoes, sliced green bananas, diced potol, and gandal pata leaves. To create a light curry, the veggies are cooked slowly in water and then seasoned with sugar and salt to bring out the flavours. This mild curry, or jhol, goes well with steamed rice and is a nice balance of flavours and textures.
Also Read: Tips For Cooking With Sweet Potato Flour
Masur Daler Bora Dia Gandal Patar Jhol
This creative recipe combines two popular Bengali dishes: fritters made with red lentils, or masur dal, and gandal pata. To make the meal, first soak and ground red lentils with spices, then form them into little fritters and fry them till crispy. To make the curry, first sauté onions, ginger, and garlic in mustard oil, and then add powders of coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Next, add the chopped gandal pata leaves and cook until they soften. Curry powder and a small amount of sugar are combined with water to make a mild curry. Just before serving, the fried lentil fritters are carefully put into the boiling curry, where they absorb the flavourful liquid while maintaining their softness. Serve this healthy jhol with rice.
Gandal Patar Chatni
Tasty and piquant, gingal patar chatni brings out the distinct flavour of the plant. Gandal pata leaves are finely chopped and combined with ginger, green chillies, and only a little garlic to make this chutney. The strong aroma of the leaves is reduced by grinding these ingredients together with mustard oil. To balance the flavours, tamarind pulp and a small amount of sugar are added for sourness. For extra complexity, some variants could use black salt or roasted cumin powder. The fresh and lively taste of this tangy chutney enhances the meal when it is served with rice and dals.
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Gandal Pata Dia Macher Jhol
The traditional use of gandal pata in non-vegetarian Bengali cuisine is best shown by this fish curry. Usually, rohu or catla fish is marinated with salt and turmeric before being cut into steaks. Ground spices and tomatoes are added after whole spices are sauteed with onions, garlic, and ginger as a basis. Next, carefully add the marinated fish to the sauce and stir in the chopped gandal pata leaves. The fish is cooked through, and the flavours of the herbs and spices are absorbed while the curry is simmering. This dish, served with steaming rice, shows how versatile this herb is in Bengali cooking.
The underrated culinary treasure of gandal pata is just waiting to be discovered. It enhances the flavour and nutritional value of many Bengali meals. Try out various combinations to find out this herb's adaptability.