A Delicious Bengali Annaprasan Menu With Their Prices

The Bengali Annaprasan Menu is a debatable genre. An exclusive ritual for a 6- 9 month-old baby, what grabs the attention of the guests is the luncheon menu. Usually an afternoon occasion, often the guests are invited for a sumptuous meal for either lunch or dinner. While some like to organize a hearty authentic Bengali annaprasan menu, some wish to incorporate new unique dishes into the Bengali Annaprasan Menu- the respective caterer hired is instructed accordingly.

Coming from the Sanskrit word ‘Anna Prasana’, Annaprashan is the first rice-feeding ceremony of a baby in the presence of parents and other relatives. A dominant ritual in Bengali culture, this is the first time a baby has introduced to other food apart from milk. Each Bengali Annaprasan Menu household has its own tradition and rituals to celebrate this day.

The baby is dressed in traditional and fed rice or payesh by the maternal uncle or grandfather and blessed with dhaan or rice grains and durba or young grass. Also, some people may organize it in their homes, while some belief in hiring a separate venue for the occasion.

Though this is a menu for a 6-month-old baby, does not mean it is comprised of just one or bland dishes, but rather a full-fledged Bengali Anarasan Menu meal. Bengalis are food lovers and all they want is for the next generations to grow up similarly and so they prepare plenty of dishes and fries. Here is a list of the Bengali Annaprasan menu which is prepared for the baby exclusively. Laid on a huge platter, the baby is fed a bit of all the items mentioned below.

• Payesh (Kheer or Rice pudding): This is the most important dish in a Bengali Annaprasan menu. Prepare with rice, milk, sugar and dry fruits, garnished with rose petals- this is the first thing that the baby is fed.

• Rice (Pulao or Fried rice): It is plain rice or pulao served to the baby on this occasion. It is also considered a mandatory item for a baby’s Bengali annaprasan menu.

• Dal: The baby is served plain moong or masoor dal.

• Bhaja (Fritters): Yes, five types of fritters or bhajan are prepared for the baby. Mostly, potato, brinjal, bitter gourd, bhindi, pumpkin, and other green leafy vegetables. Since Bengalis and Fish go hand in hand, fried fish might also be there on the menu.

• Fish: Nothing to be surprised, fish curry is also served to the baby on this occasion, it is nothing but symbolic and is to be touched on the baby’s mouth. Meat is generally avoided for the baby, however, the menu prepared for the guests is more likely to have meat included.

• Dessert: For dessert, the baby is served a chutney which could be of any variant- a tomato or fruit-based along with papad and other sweet items. Today, many parents are in favour of cutting a cake on this occasion.

You must be thinking, so many items of a 6 months old baby, well, yes but none of the items are entirely fed to the baby, rather they are just touched on his or her mouth for tasting. The initial work for a Bengali’s perpetual love for food is mostly established at his/her infancy.

Post this, the baby is presented with a tray containing a variety of things- a book, a pen, a toy, some dirt, a ball, anything, and everything. Whatever the baby picks up is considered to represent his or her area of interest in the future. Apparently, a book is the representation of learning and wisdom while dirt represents property!

Now comes the major part, the luncheon for the relatives and guests. Bengalis are foody people and whatever the occasion, food becomes the centre of attraction. While some of you prefer the authentic and traditional Bengali annaprasan menu, some prefer to bring a touch of newness and variety to the menu. To satisfy all of you here are some Bengali Annaprasan Menu Samples to help you choose from them or curate one whichever you prefer.

Bengali Annaprasan Menu: Rs. 449/-

Starters: 

• Welcome Drink
• Coffee/ Masala Chai
• Crispy Chilli Baby Corn/ Paneer Soti Boti
• Chicken Pakora/ Chicken Titbits (with dips)

Main Course:

• Green Peas Kachori
• Masala Aloo Dum
• Fish Fry/ Fish Batter Fry/ Fish Orly:: Corn Cutlet/Paneer Pasanda/ Veg Cutlet
• Green Salad & Dips
• Peas Pulao/ Shahi Pulao/ Jeera Rice
• Chicken Masala/ Chicken Kasha/ Murgh Lababdar:: Mixed Veg/ Navaratan Korma/ Paneer Butter Masala

Desserts:

• Seasonal Fruit Chutney/ Dry Fruit Chutney
• Papad
• Sandesh/ Hot Gulab Jamun/ Rasogolla
• Paas-paas

Bengali Annaprasan Menu: Rs. 499/-

Starters:

• Welcome Drink
• Coffee/ Masala Chai
• Paneer Soti Boti/ Crispy Chilli Baby Corn/ Veg Croquette/ Cheese Pakora
• Fish Pakora/ Dry Chilli Chicken/ Chicken Pakora/ Chicken Titbits (with dips)

Main Course:

• Green Peas Kachori/ Baby Naan
• Navratan Korma/ Masala Aloo Dum
• Fish Fry/ Fish Batter Fry/ Fish Orly:: Corn Cutlet/ Paneer Pasinda/ Veg Cutlet
• Green Salad/ Russian Salad
• Peas Pulao/ Shahi Pulao/ Jeera Rice
• Chicken Masala/ Chicken Kasha/ Murgh Lababdar:: Mixed Veg/ Navratan Korma/ Paneer Butter Masala
• Katla Kalia/ Dahi Rui:: Potoler Dolma/ Kadai Paneer

Desserts

• Seasonal Fruit Chutney/ Dry Fruit Chutney
• Papad
• Sandesh/ Hot Gulab Jamun/ Rasogolla
• Paas-Pass

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Bengali Annaprasan Menu: Rs. 549/-

Starters: 

• Welcome Drink
• Coffee/ Masala Chai/ Elaichi Chai:: Strawberry Blossom/ Mango Blossom/ Kiwi Blossom
• Chicken Reshmi Kebab/ Chicken Hariyali Kebab/ Chicken Tikka Kebab
• Paneer Shashlik/ Paneer Soti Boti/ Paneer Tandoori

Main Course:

• Green Peas Kachori/ Baby Naan
• Dal Maharani/ Dal Makhani/ Afghani Chana Mix
• Fish Orly/ Fish Fry/ Fish Batter Fry:: Veg Cutlet/ Corn Cutlet/Paneer Pasinda
• Green Salad
• Shahi Pulao/ Peas Pulao/ Jeera Rice
• Mutton Masala/ Mutton Rogan Josh/ Mutton Kasha:: Mixed Veg/ Malai Kofta/ Paneer Butter Masala

Dessert

• Seasonal Fruit Chutney/ Dry Fruit Chutney
• Roasted Papads/ Masala Papads
• Hot Gulab Jamun/ Sandesh/ Rasogolla
• Ice Cream with toppings
• Paan counter

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Bengali Annaprasan Menu: Rs. 849/-

Starters:

• Live Mocktail Counter
• Coffee/ Elaichi tea/ Masala Tea/ Keasriya Tea
• Noodle Soup/ Macaroni Soup/ Manchow Soup (Veg/ Chicken)
• International Salad Bar (10 types)
• Chicken Fritters/ Chicken Titbits (with dips)
• Paneer Dumplings with coriander sauce/ Veg Croquette
• Fish Croquette with tartar dip/ Roasted Chilli Fish/ Fish in Teriyaki Sauce

Main Course:

• Masala Kulcha/ Baby Butter Naan/ Tawa Laccha Paratha
• Dal Makhani/ Afghani Chana Mix
• Navratan Korma/ Kadai Paneer
• Fish Amritsari/ Bhetki Paturi/ Fish Munia/ Baby Fish Kabiraji:: Paneer Pasinda/ Veg Cutlet
• Mixed Pulao
• Fried Fish in Masala Gravy:: Veg Makkhanwala/ Kadai Paneer
• Mutton Biryani/ Chicken Biryani:: Veg Biryani
• Mutton- Murgh Lababdar/ Chicken Chap/ Chicken Kasha:: Chanar Dalna/ Malai Kofta

Desserts 

• Seasonal Fruit Chutney/ Dry Fruit Chutney
• Papad
• Hot Gulab Jamun/ Sandesh/ Rasogolla
• Makha Sandesh with flavoured honey/ Jalebi with kheer/ Malai Firni- Live
• Fried ice-cream parlour/ Malai Kulfi/ Tutti Frutti Ice Cream/ Baked Rasogolla
• Paan Counter

Bengali Annaprasan Menu: Rs. 1299/-

Starters:

• Live Mocktail Counter
• Coffee/ Masala Chai/ Elaichi Chai
• Indian Chat Counter (4 varieties)
• Exotic Soup/ Macaroni Soup/ Noodle Soup/ Egg Drop Soup (Veg/ Non-Veg)
• Oriental Counter (Hakka Noodles, Veg Manchurian, Chicken in Garlic Sauce/ Chilli Sauce/ Schezwan Sauce)- Live
• Chicken Reshmi Kebab / Chicken Hariyali Kebab
• Chicken Tikka Kebab/ Chicken Malai Kebab:: Paneer Soti Boti/ Paneer Shashlik/ Paneer Tandoori

Main Course:

• Masala Kulcha/ Fried Masala Kulcha/ Baby Butter  Naan/ Tawa Laccha Paratha
• Dal Makhani/ Afghani Chana Mix
• Aloo Methi Corn/ Malai Kofta/ Masala Aloo Dum/ Navratan Korma
• Bhetki Paturi/ Grilled Fish:: Paneer Pasinda/ Veg Cutlet
• Basmati Rice
• Daab Chingri/ Palak Chingri/ Chingri Malaicurry :: Potoler Dorma/ Chanar Dalna
• Fried fish in masala gravy:: Palak Paneer/ Kadai Paneer/ Navratan Korma
• Chicken- Mutton Biryani / Yakhni Pulao:: Veg Pulao/ Veg Biryani/ Maharani Pulao
• Murgh Lababdar/ Chicken Kasha:: Mixed Veg/ Kadi Pakodi

Desserts

• Cucumber Raita/ Pineapple Raita
• Seasonal Fruit Chutney/ Dry Fruit Chutney
• Assorted Papads/ Masala Papads/ Prawn Chips/ French Fries
• Makha Sandesh with flavored honey/ Jalebi with Kheer/ Malai Phirni- Live
• Hot Gulab Jamuna/ Sandesh/ Rasogolla/ Kalakand
• Paan counter

Well, these were just a few sample menu, you can take ideas from them and curate your own for your baby’s annaprasan.