Bori (food) facts for kids
Bori
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| Type | Dumpling |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | India |
| Region or state | Purba Medinipur, West Bengal |
| Associated national cuisine | India |
| Main ingredients | Cowpea, Dal, Poppy seed and various type of Spices |
| Variations | Gohona Bori |
Bori (Bengali: বড়ি) is a special kind of dried dumpling. It's very popular in Bengali cuisine, which is the food style from the Bengal region of India. Bori is made from a thick paste of lentils, usually a type called urad dal. Sometimes, it's mixed with winter melon. After shaping, these dumplings are left to dry in the sun for several days. Once they are completely dry, they can be stored and enjoyed for about a year!
Contents
How to Make Bori
Making bori is a fun process. The lentil paste is carefully placed by hand onto a mat. This is usually done outdoors in the sunlight. When the paste is wet, it sticks to the mat. But as the bori dries completely, it easily comes off.
Simple Shapes
The simplest bori often has a natural cone shape. This shape happens because of how the paste is squeezed out. It's a quick and easy way to make them.
Artistic Designs: Naksha Bori
Some bori are made with amazing artistic designs! These are called naksha bori. The word naksha means "design" in Bengali. To create these detailed shapes, the paste is squeezed through a piping bag, much like decorating a cake.
Jewellery-like Designs
Naksha bori is also known as gohona bori or gayna bori. This is because the beautiful designs often look like traditional jewellery. The word gahana or gayna means "jewellery" in Bengali. To make sure these delicate designs don't break when removed from the mat, a layer of poppy seeds is spread first. This helps the bori come off easily.
Where Naksha Bori is Famous
The Purba Medinipur area in West Bengal is especially famous for its naksha bori. Making bori is mostly done by women in the family. Sometimes, children help out too, learning this traditional skill.
How to Eat Bori
Bori is a very versatile food. It can be enjoyed in different ways.
As a Snack
You can fry bori until it's crispy. Then, it makes a delicious snack all by itself! It's crunchy and full of flavor.
In Main Dishes
Bori is also often added to other dishes. People put it in fish curries or vegetable stews. Adding bori helps to make the dish taste even better. It also adds a nice texture and variety to the meal.
