Makar Sankranti Special Recipes

Makar Sankranti is an auspicious day and is celebrated with much fanfare and festivities across India. It marks the arrival of the spring season, bidding adieu to the chilly winters.Makar Sankranti is considered very auspicious as it signifies a new beginning. While there are 12 Sankranthis in all, the Makar Sankranti when the Sun transitions from Dhanu (Saggitarius) to Makara (Capricorn) is the most widely celebrated festival in India. Primarily a harvest and thanksgiving festival in India, each state and region has it’s own way of celebrating Makar Sankranti. It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs…

Chakuli Pitha, Aloo Bhaja and Ghuguni (A Traditional Odia Breakfast)

Odisha ,the land of Lord Jagannath, has a very rich religious culture and this is reflected in the food as well. Odia cuisine is very simple yet delicious, prepared in little or no oil which not only enhances the taste, but makes them very healthy as well. In our day to day busy lives we often skip a healthy breakfast. Chakuli Pitha, Aloo Bhaja and Ghuguni is a very common breakfast recipe in Odisha. Every person belonging to this state must have tasted this recipe at least once in his or her lifetime. Chakuli Pitha is prepared usingrice flour,white lentils(Biri)…

Paneer Tikka Sizzler with Makhni Sauce and assorted vegetables

The word “sizzler” comes from the sizzle that one hears when, after heating the dish under a grill , the gravy is poured on, which dribbles on the hot plate and heats up. Sizzler” is an open-roasted, grilled or shallow fried piece of meat, chicken, fish or vegetables, served with french fries, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, french beans etc., served on a metal or stone hot plate, kept on a wooden base. Sizzlers are a hot favorite with people of all ages and tastes. They are basically a combination of one main dish served with a choice of sauces and…

MANABASA GURUBAR- A TRADITION SO UNIQUE TO ODISHA

“Mana-basa-Gurubar” is a very famous ritual among Odia Hindu married women. Laxmipurana highly praises the divine compassion of Mahalaxmi as the only divine source of everybody’s good fortune and prosperity. This also establishes the idea that Mahalaxmi loves the devotion of Her worshipers, irrespective of caste. So, caste is no barrier in any ritualistic practice of Hindu religion, particularly in the propitiation of goddess Mahalaxmi. This eclectic attitude prevails upon the service-pattern of Jagannath Temple where the devotees irrespective of caste partake of the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath together. The Hindu month of Margashira (November –December) is considered very auspicious…

Sarson Da Saag and Makki Di Roti (Tempered Mustard Greens with Cornmeal Flat Bread)

Winters brings with it a respite from the scorching hot summers, where temperature drops in and the spirits soar. Along with cosy blankets and quilts it brings with it variety of food, vegetables, fruits and sweets. This is the time when the markets are flooded with lush greens saags and vegetables. Come winters Makki di roti (coarse maize bread) and Sarson da saag (mustard plant) are culinary delights that are savoured in every household of North India especially Punjab . The prominent names that come to mind whenever Punjabi cuisine is mentioned are tandoori chicken and butter chicken. But one…