Mashed dishes are simple, comforting, and packed with flavor. Here are five unique and delicious Bengali mashed recipes (bharta) that are quick to prepare and perfect to pair with rice. From roasted eggplant to spicy shrimp, these recipes will add a burst of flavor to your table!
Introduction
If you’re a fan of bold flavors and simple yet comforting dishes, Bengali mashed recipes, known as bharta, are perfect for you! These traditional dishes are a staple in Bengali cuisine, loved for their unique smoky, spicy, and earthy flavors. Made with roasted or boiled ingredients, blended with aromatic spices, mustard oil, and fresh chilies, bharta recipes are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with hot steamed rice.
In this blog, we bring you 5 must-try Bengali bharta recipes that range from vegetarian favorites like Tomato and Eggplant Mash to protein-rich options like Spicy Shrimp Bharta and Creamy Chicken Bharta. Each recipe is quick, flavorful, and bound to be a hit on your dining table!
Let’s dive in and explore these mouthwatering dishes!
1. Tomato and Eggplant Mash (Tomato-Baingan Bharta)
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant
- 1 large tomato
- 2 dried red chilies
- 2 green chilies
- 2 chopped onions
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
👉 Wash the eggplant and tomato thoroughly, coat them with mustard oil, and roast them over a flame. Once charred, peel and place them in a bowl.
👉 Mash the roasted eggplant and tomato.
👉 Add chopped onions, green chilies, dried red chilies, mustard oil, and salt. Mix well.
👉 Heat the mixture in a pan until the water evaporates.
👉 Serve warm with steamed rice.
2. Spicy Shrimp Mash (Chingri Bharta)
Ingredients:
- 100g shrimp
- 4 green chilies
- 2 dried red chilies
- 1 pinch of turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 chopped onions
- 7 garlic cloves
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
👉 Clean and prepare the shrimp. Mix all the ingredients together.
👉 Heat oil in a pan, fry the shrimp with turmeric, salt, and other ingredients until golden.
👉 Let the mixture cool, then grind into a paste.
👉 Heat the paste in a pan, stirring until thickened. Add mustard oil for extra flavor.
👉 Serve hot with steamed rice.
3. Egg and Potato Mash (Dim-Aloo Bharta)
Ingredients:
- 3 boiled potatoes
- 2 boiled eggs
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 tsp chopped green chilies
- 2 tbsp chopped tomatoes
- 2 dried red chilies
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
👉 Mash the boiled potatoes and crumble the boiled eggs.
👉 Heat mustard oil in a pan, fry dried red chilies and onions until golden, then add tomatoes.
👉 Mix the fried ingredients with the mashed potatoes and eggs. Add green chilies, salt, and mustard oil.
👉 Serve warm with rice for a hearty meal.
4. Spiced Tomato Mash (Tomato Bharta)
Ingredients:
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 large chopped onion
- 2 green chilies
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp mustard oil
- Chopped coriander leaves (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
👉 Roast the tomatoes and garlic in a pan with mustard oil. Cover and cook until soft, then peel the tomatoes.
👉 Heat oil, sauté onions and chilies, and add the mashed tomato mixture.
👉 Add salt and garnish with coriander leaves.
👉 Serve hot with steamed rice for a tangy, spicy treat.
5. Creamy Chicken Mash (Chicken Bharta)
Ingredients:
- 250g chicken (boiled and shredded)
- 2 tbsp yogurt
- 6 cashews (blended into a paste)
- 1 tbsp brain (optional, for richness)
- 1 tbsp fresh cream
- 4 green chilies
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp butter
- 2 onions (paste)
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 large tomato (paste)
- 5 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and sugar to taste
👉 Prepare pastes for onions, ginger, garlic, tomato, cashew, and brain. Boil chicken with salt, then shred.
👉 Heat oil, sauté onion paste, then add garlic, ginger, and chili paste.
👉 Add turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Mix well, then add tomato paste and cashew paste.
👉 Add chicken, stir in fresh cream, butter, and kasuri methi. Cook until thickened.
👉 Garnish with butter and serve with rice or bread.
Final Thoughts
Each of these mashed recipes adds a unique flavor to your meal. Whether you’re craving something smoky, spicy, or creamy, these dishes are sure to satisfy. Pair them with hot steamed rice for the ultimate comfort food experience. Try them out and let us know which one is your favorite!
Pro Tip: Use high-quality mustard oil for an authentic Bengali flavor.
Enjoy cooking and stay tuned for more traditional recipes!