I can’t live without fish: Nandana Sen

Actress Nandana Sen loves a pure Bengali cuisine when at home

My day begins with a huge latte (double espresso with lots of milk). My breakfast depends on the season. Strawberries, mango or pomegranate (anar) with dahi. A glass of apple juice. Sometimes it comprises oatmeal and honey.

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My favourites in vegetarian food: Bhapa shorshe begun (eggplant in mustard) and ensalata Milanese.

My favourites in non-vegetarian food: Sashimi and maacher jhol.

My lunch when I am at home: A purely Bengali meal, with fish, rice, dal, sabzi and salad.

My favourites in Bengali foods are: I have a huge bias. The list of favourites would be endless.

My evening snack: Jhal-muri, phuchkas/ pani puris, vada-pao or bhelpuri.

When I am shooting, I always carry with me almonds, pistachios, chocolate soy shakes and oranges.

My dinner: Phulkas, dal, meat and salad.

My favourite dessert: Fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate.

My favourites fruits: I love most fruits, especially strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, mangoes, cherries, pomegranate, clementines (little tangerines).

I am allergic to: Occasionally to really seedy eggplant (baigan) — although I love it — and soft-shell crab.

I hate eating: Sea urchin (I am told it’s an acquired taste but yuck!) and I must admit I prefer the nutty taste of brown rice and red Kerala rice to bleached white rice (except in chaats — yum!). Generally prefer brown to white in most things in life - bread and sugar included!

A childhood memory associated with food: Mango ice-cream (my grandmother used to make the best ever).

My favourite cook from my family and the one dish he/she prepares well: It’s a tie between my sister and my mother. Didi makes the best aloo-kabli and murgi in the world, while Ma’s chitol maacher muithya is unmatched.

My culinary abilities: I cook all kinds of fish, I can’t live without fish.

My comfort food is: Curd-rice. Isn’t it everyone’s?