Labra | Bengali Labra Tarkari

"Hey do you have Labra recipe on the blog? I don't think so!" Mehebub asked and replied to his own question.

It was then I realized so far I have not written a single word about Labra. Needless to say, it took me no time to check whether I have the pictures of famous Bengali delicacy Labra Tarkari in the archive or not. Fortunately, I clicked a few pictures during Saraswati Pujo Which I now can use to complete this post.

Pujor Bhog without Labra!

A typical Bengali Pujor bhog is incomplete without Labra. Those who think Bengali cuisine is dominated by Non-vegetarian dishes, Labda is probably our answer to you. A Bengali mixed-veg cooked without onion and garlic and is believed to be loved by none other than Shri Chaitanyadev himself!

Labra aka Labrar Tarkari, a dish loved by Shri Chaitanyadev himself!

সার্ব্বভৌম পরিবেশন করেন আপনে। প্রভু কহে মোরে দেহ লাফরা ব্যঞ্জনে।।
(Sarbabhoumya please serve me. Prabhu is asking for the Lafra)

Above mentioned lines are from Krishnadash Kabiraj's Chaitanya Charitamrita's Madhya Lila. This book talks about the life and Philosophy of Shri Chaitanya Dev (1478- 1533) and also Bhakti Yog. The Madhya lila is all about Prabhu's middle life and especially the years he spent in Puri Dham. In this chapter, it was found that he liked a certain kind of a dish which was then known as Lafra.

Again, in the same book, another line is found which is referring to the same dish.

প্রভু কহে মোরে দেহ লাফরা ব্যঞ্জনে। পিঠা, পানা, অমৃতগুটিকা দেহ ভক্তগণে।।

According to these lines Prabhu was asking to serve him Lafra while the followers are to be served with Pitha (Sweet dumpling); Pana (Bitel leaf cone); Amritagutika.

Labra Torkari is still cooked at the Nabadwip Thakurbari. The word came from the Bengali word Alabu (অলাবু).

Labra; then and now!

From the beginning, Labra is cooked with different vegetables. Initially Gorbho Mocha was a mandatory ingredient while these days at least when cooked commercially, garbha mocha (Banana Flower) and thor (banana stem) are not used while making Labra. Aloo aka Potato, as well as tomato, are late inclusion as well.

These days, Labra is cooked with Potato, Broad bean, pumpkin, sweet potato, Taro, Eggplant, Plaintain, Radish, etc. In some families, they do not add green such as spinach while cooking labra while in some families they do add the same. In our place, no green is used in making this delicacy. However, I prefer to add Spinach to balance the flavors. So the choice is yours.

Bihari Da; the Rannar Thakur's take on commercial cooking of Labra!

I talked to a veteran Rannar Thakur (Commercial Bengali cook who is in the business for more than 50 years and a regular at my ancestrial house). Bihari da confirmed Tomato is now used to balance flavors and so is spinach. He even informed that they fry the veggies lightly before cooking. I followed his recipe to get the "Barowari" flavors and it worked.

Here's how I cook Labra at Debjanir Rannaghar!

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No onion no garlic Bengali Recipes aka Bengali vegetarian recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar!

• Tok Dal (Also known as Kancha Aam diye Toker Dal)
• Jhuri Aloo Bhaja Also known as Bengali Aloo Bhaja)
• Bori Aloor Jhal (also known as Bengali Bori’r Jhal)
• Lau Shaker Chorchori (also known as Bengali Vegetarian Mishmash with Bottle Gourd Greens)
• Sheemer Jhal (Also known as Bengali Shorshe Sheem or Broad Bean Curry with Mustard Paste)
• Plastic Chutney (also known as Raw Papaya Chutney or Bengali Peper Chutney)
• Rosogollar Dalna (Also known as Roshogollar Torkari)
• Aloo Posto (also known as Aloo Postor Torkari)
• Sada Aloo Chorchori (also known as Bengali Aloo Chorchori)
• Postor Bora (Also known as Bengali Poppy Seed Fritters)
• Bengali Kolai Dal (Also known as Biulir Dal or Bengali Urad Dal)
• Phulkopir Roast (also known as Bengali Roasted Cauliflower!)
• Papor er Dalna (also known as Bengali Papad Curry)
• Bengali Soru Chakli Pithe (Also known as Soru Chakuli Pitha)
• Shukto (Also known as Shuktoni)
• Kumror Chakka (Also known as Bengali Kumror Torkari)
• Narkel diye Niramish Ghugni (Also known as Bengali No Onion No Garlic Ghugni or Yellow Peas Curry with Fried Coconut
• Bengali Niramish Khichuri (Also known as Bhoger Khichuri or Bengali Khichuri)
• Bhaja Moong er Daal (also known as Sona Muger Dal)
• Gur diye Topa Kul ar Tomato Chutney (Also known as Kuler Tok)
• Chanar Dalna (also known as Bengali Cottage Cheese and Potato Curry)
• Aam Kasundi aka Bengali Style Mustard and Mango Sauce

More veg recipes

• Katoya Data Chorchori (Also known as Bengali Style Mix-veg with Drumsticks)
• Natun Aloor Dum (Also known as Bengali Niramish Aloor Dum)
• Panch Mishali Tarkari (Also known as Panch Mishuli Tarkari)
• Lomba Dantiwala Begun Bhaja and Gol Muchmuche Begun Bhaja (Also known as Bengali Aubergine fry)
• Lau ar Aloo er Khosa Bhaja (Also known as Stir-Fried Bottle Gourd and Potato Skin/ Peel )
• Dhokar Dalna (Also known as Dhokar Tarkari)
• Koraishutir Kochuri (Also known as Bengali Peas Kachauri)
• Kumro Phuler Bora (Also known as Bengali Pumpkin Flower Fritters)
• Gota Sheddho (Also known as Bwngali Gota Shidho)
• Narkel diye Cholar Dal (Also known as Bengali Cholar Dal)

Have you tried the Labda Torkari recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

Do let me know how it came out. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. Meanwhile, on Instagram, you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar and in addition, you can tag me at @foodofdebjani.

Here's the Labra Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board!