#I Love Panta Bhaat#

By vermavkv on August 14, 2023 • ( 9 )

Kolkata, the city of joy, holds a special place in my heart. I am here for the last fifteen years There is something about this city that draws me in, that fills me with a sense of warmth and belonging.

Perhaps it is the rich history and culture that permeates every street and alleyway, or the friendly and welcoming people who call it home. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that Kolkata is a city like no other.

One of the things I love most about Kolkata is the food. From the famous puchka stalls on every street corner to the upscale restaurants on Park Street, Kolkata offers a culinary experience that is unparalleled.

But for me, nothing beats the homely comfort of panta bhaat – a simple dish of leftover rice soaked in water and served with a variety of accompaniments. It may not sound like much, but there is something about the tangy, refreshing taste of panta bhaat that always brings a smile to my face.

In a time when the world is raving about fermented foods’ health benefits, one can’t ignore the time-honored Bengali panta bhaat. In this recipe, ideally, the night’s leftover rice is soaked in water overnight, allowing it to ferment. It is eaten the next day morning or at lunch.

Panta bhat with an assortment of bhaja-bhuji (fried things), fritters, bhaate (mashed vegetables), and achaar has been a summertime staple in our household, as it is in other Bengali homes.

As much as I appreciated the calming effect, I also felt the sleepy spell it cast. This fermented rice dish is popular in the summer in a few other eastern and northeastern Indian states under distinct names. But if there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that throughout the warmer months of the year, panta bhat is the most beloved comfort food in any Bengali home.

Amazingly, this dish, which consists primarily of rice and water, was voted MasterChef 2021’s best. Even in the Grand Finale of MasterChef Australia, Kishwar, a contestant prepared this dish and presented it with alu bhorta and fried fish.

Panta Bhaat is loved by many because of the numerous health benefits it offers.

Panta bhaat is loaded with health perks and can grant good gut health, better immunity, instant energy, and so on.

Minimal in calories.

Boosting your body’s oxygen supply with regular servings of panta bhat is possible due to the dish’s high iron content. The carbs in the rice are broken down by fermenting microorganisms while it soaks in water overnight, making the food very easy to digest. With no cholesterol and few calories, this Bong treat is ideal for anyone trying to slim down.

Improves gut health

Some research has been done on its health benefits. The water that comes from fermented rice has also been discovered to have immune-boosting properties. In addition, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in panta bhaat are beneficial to your intestinal health.

Butter and yogurt are only two examples of the many foods that contain SCFA, but it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t overeat them due to their high-fat content.

But panta bhaat’s water is not like that at all. This food has no dietary restrictions, and it provides a rapid and substantial boost to energy levels.