Best Cuisines Of Odisha
The cuisine of Odisha is diverse and reflects the geographical influence on the ingredients that go into making these tasty dishes. There are so many varieties of cuisine in Odisha that foodies will have a gala time satisfying their palates. Here, we take a look at some of the unique and famous cuisines of Odisha.
Dalma Curry: It is a popular vegetarian dish of Odisha made with lentils, vegetables and spices. Lentils are cooked with vegetables like pumpkin, brinjal, and raw banana, which gives the dish its unique texture. Dalma is served with rice, and it is considered a comfort food all across the state.
Machha Besara: It is a traditional fish curry of the state made with mustard paste, tomato, and tamarind. It is cooked with many varieties of fish, namely Rohu, Catla, and Hisla. These fish are commonly found in rivers and ponds in the state. Machha Besara is a spicy and tangy dish that is often served with rice and roti.
Pakhala Bhata: Popular throughout the state, Pakhala Bhata is the traditional dish of Odisha. During the summer months, it is the most popular dish. Rice is soaked in water overnight and is served with various items like papad, roasted fish, and pickles. It is considered a cooling and refreshing dish that beats the heat.
Chhena Poda: It is a traditional sweet dish made with cottage cheese, sugar, and cardamom. It is a baked cheesecake with caramel, giving it a unique texture and flavour. It is a popular dessert in Odisha and is widely served during weddings and festivals.
Dahi Bara Aloo Dum: It is one of the favourite street food items of Odisha and one widely enjoyed by people. The dish has deep-fried lentil dumplings that are soaked in curd and served with a spicy potato curry. The combination of the tangy curd and the spicy curry is hard to resist.
Khaja: It is a traditional sweet dish made with wheat flour, sugar, and ghee. The dough is rolled into thin layers, which are then deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup. It is a crunchy, sweet dish, especially served during functions and festivals.
Kheermohan: It is a popular sweet dish in Odisha and is made from cottage cheese and sugar syrup. Cottage cheese balls are deep-fried until they have a proper texture and are then kept dipped in sugar syrup. Exclusive to Odisha, Kheeramohana has a distinctive texture and taste that sets it apart from another popular sweet dish, Rasagulla.
Khicede/ Khichdi: It is one of the important dishes and is considered to be a wholesome meal. It is one of the ‘revered’ dishes of Odisha too, as it is the main bhog offered to Bhagawan Jagannath in the Puri temple. Rice and lentils are cooked, and ghee is sprinkled over for a great taste and aroma.
Santula: It is a traditional vegetable curry. The word ‘Santula’ means combination or mix, and true to its meaning, the dish is a combination or mix of vegetables cooked with just enough oil and spices to make it a healthy and nutritious dish. It is served with steamed rice.
