Pakhala Party

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Thanks for my Odiya friends here in the bay area, that I am continuously reminded of the yummy food that we miss every day.. far from home.. they are the ones who feed me till my throat with tasty home-made Odiya food..

Especially, in this hot summer, "Pakhala" is almost a every day affair now.. either in the morning or night.. the combination of overcooked soft rice, curd or lemon, green chillies, ginger etc.. makes this dish a completely fragrant one.. which when put into mouth disappears immediately...

When its a potluck with Odiya friends.. and everyone has so many ideas of side dishes.. we decided to take one side dish each.. and try our hands on them.. It was a potluck so the responsibility was one everyone.. so here goes the menu, a few pictures and the recipes (very very simple and easy to make at home).

Occasion : Nothing special.. It's summer.. and we all wanted to eat Pakhala.. :)



Menu:


  • Pakhala Bhata with (Rice cooked and kept overnight + water + curd + grated ginger + salt).. Lemon was additional if anyone wanted the rice to be more sour. 
  • Aloo Bharta : Boiled potatoes mashed up with raw red onions + green chillies + salt to taste
  • Badi Chura : Pan fried "Badi", crushed and mixed with crushed raw garlic & green chillies (crushed red onions is optional)
  • Saaga Bhaja with red amaranth leaves - Green leaves washed clean, chopped & pan fried with panch phutana + crushed garlic + slit green chillies (salt strictly to taste)
  • Macha Bhaja with Pomfret fish (recipe is super simple & its here)
  • Chingudi Kassa (Recipe coming soon.. very soon.. I promise)
  • Pariba Bhaja (Pan roasted veggies) with Sorisa Masala (Mustard Paste) - Assorted veggies pan roasted with salt + turmeric + mustard paste. This recipe is a speciality of my friend from back home Sinu.. Will update the exact recipe & pictures soon.. :) I promise again..
  • Amba - Ripe & sweet Mangoes - Sliced in thin slices
  • Green Chili + Lemon + Raw onions + Koli Achar (Boroi Pickle)

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