Pakhala Bhata is a perfect Odia cuisine dish to beat the heat and lead a healthy life!
Although eaten throughout year by people across Odisha but in summer its importance grows manifold.
The dish is very popular in other parts of India like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu but named differently.
It is best suited in hot climate especially for breakfast or lunch and comes with lot of health benefits.
Traditionally, rice is cooked in the afternoon and its excess water is drained. After the rice cools down to room temperature, it is soaked fully in water and stored in an earthen clay pot.
This covered pot with soaked rice is left overnight at regular room temperature. The rice gets fermented by the next morning and is eaten for breakfast as well as Lunch.
Also added with little salt, roasted jeera, coriander leaves and ginger, this combo blends into an irresistible taste. The water is called Torani.
At Kanika restaurant we serve some authentic special accompaniments with Pakhala like Saga Badi Nadia, Chingudi Bhaja, Chuna Macha Besara, Rohi Macha Bhaja, Badi Chura, Mix Bhaja and Aloo Baigan bhartha.
Saga Badi Nadia is a preparation of local green leafy vegetables sautéed with badi and grated coconut.
Chingudi bhaja is a preparation of pan-fried prawns with a blend of dry spice
Chuna Macha Besara is a preparation of River Fresh small Fish (Chuna Macha) cooked little dry with mustard paste.
Rohi Macha Bhaja is a dry preparation of Rohu fish, Slow cooked on Tawa
Badi Chura - Crushed Urad Dal badi with green chillies, garlic & onion
Mix Bhaja - Sautéed seasonal fresh vegetables
Aloo Baigan Bharta - Roasted potatoes & eggplant mash with local flavours
It is also eaten with raw onion, cucumber and green chilli.
There is an option to drain excess water from Pakhala and eat it with yogurt and a slight sprinkle of salt.
Health benefits as highlighted by Nutritionists are as under:
After consuming in breakfast or Lunch, it keeps the body light and also energetic.
Beneficial bacteria get produced in abundance.
Controls Stomach ailments.
Being very fibrous, it removes constipation.
Normalizes blood pressure and helps reduce hypertension.
Removes allergy induced problems and skin-related ailments.
Regular eating keeps fresh infections at bay.
Provides youthful and radiant look.
Richest source of vitamin B12 for vegans.
DoYouKnow Odias welcome summer by celebrating Pakhala Dibasa on 20th March every year.
by Chef Nisar Ahmed, Corporate Chef of Mayfair Group of Hotels
By Chef Nisar Ahmed
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