The endearing Bihu Festival lies at the heart of Assamese culture and society. The people of the green and beautiful north-eastern state of Assam celebrate three different types of Bihu, namely:
- The Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu, which is the harvest festival, is celebrated in January;
2. The Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, which marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the Spring season, is celebrated in April;
3. The Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu is observed by praying for a fresh and successful harvest season in October;
Amidst the rejoicings embedded within community feasts and the captivating Bihu dance, the Assamese cuisine reigns supreme and enhances the essence of the Bihu Festival. Rice is a dominant ingredient found in Assamese cuisine, which brings to the front a diverse array of dishes prepared in an exquisite and amusing style. You will never regret trying the Assamese cuisine and to aid you with that, here is a list of the Top 20 Assamese delicacies that are the highlights of the marvellous Bihu Festival, which you can never miss!
1.Narikol Laru/Coconut Ladoo
The Narikol Laru happens to be one of the most popular and tastiest of sweet dishes prepared in the Bihu Festival. It is basically a soft ball made out of a combination of grated coconut and sugar, which is stirred continuously on low or medium heat until the mixture gets softened and roasted properly. You can also add edible camphor to it to enhance its fragrance and flavour. And there you go; prepare as many as desired and enjoy!
2.Til Pitha
The Til Pitha is yet another special preparation for the Bihu Festival. This pitha is prepared from soaked rice, which is coarsely ground and spread over a hot pan in medium-sized circles. Then the pithas are stuffed with either a mixture of black sesame (til) and jaggery or grated coconut. The edges are folded from both sides to join in the middle of the pitha and it is then toasted to get a firm and crispy texture. The Til Pitha is undoubtedly a healthy snack that you can enjoy with a cup of warm tea.
3.Maah Korai
Maah Korai is a unique and enticing Assamese food item prepared during the Bihu Festival, especially in the Bhogali or Magh Bihu. It is a combination of raw sticky rice, black gram, black sesame, coconut, pieces of ginger, and a pinch of salt, which are all roasted well together. When offered, it can be smeared with a little bit of mustard oil. The Maah Korai is absolutely a healthy treat to enjoy with tea.
4.Tel Pitha Or Ghila Pitha
The Tel Pitha is a famous Assamese traditional food item that stands out as one of the major highlights of the Bihu Festival. It is a sweet snack that can also be prepared as a regular household appetizer and enjoyed with tea. This pitha is prepared from a blend of rice flour, jaggery, mustard oil (tel) and water, which is deep-fried until it turns golden brown. The Tel Pitha can be served hot or stored easily in the refrigerator to satisfy your palate for several days.
5.Doi-Seera
The Bihu celebrations are incomplete without feasting on an alluring bowl of Doi-Seera. It is a flavoursome combination of flattened rice flakes (seera or chira), curd (doi) or cream, and jaggery. This immensely popular Assamese ‘Jolpaan’ (mini meal or breakfast) is generally served in ‘Kanhor Bati’ that means a bowl made of Bell Metal, which is a unique traditional craft of Assam. Doi-Seera is a power-packed meal, rich in both nutrition and flavours, and also boosts digestion.
6.Poita Bhat
Poita Bhat is the heart and soul of Assamese cuisine. Poita Bhat means leftover cooked rice soaked in water overnight. Salt, a few drops of mustard oil, onions and chillies are added to it. A bowl of Poita Bhat serves as an outstanding and delicious breakfast. This fermented rice delicacy, which is loaded with probiotics and micronutrients, has more nutritional value than fresh rice. The Poita Bhat is a popular comfort food Assam, which can be paired with dishes like aloo pitika, bengena bhorta, dal or curd.
7.Xaak Or Haak Bhaji
Xaak or Haak is part and parcel of the Bihu Festival. Xaak means green leafy vegetables or herbs. Loaded with fibres and micronutrients, varieties of Xaak have great medicinal value. During the Bihu Festival, it is customary to consume different types of Xaak to gain health benefits. Some of these are Dhekia, Paleng, Lai, Kola Kosu, Morissa, Manimuni, Tengesi Tenga and many more. Xaak can be eaten as an individual dish or coupled with meat and fish preparations.
8.Til Laru/Black Sesame Ladoo
Another sensational item of the Assamese Bihu platter is the Til Laru that is incredibly loved and enjoyed by everyone. The Til Laru is an easy and healthy recipe prepared by roasting black sesame seeds (til) with a bit of cardamom powder and desiccated coconut (optional). It is then appropriately mixed with melted organic jaggery to make small round balls. These til ladoos can be conveniently stored inside a jar and enjoyed for several days.
9.Masor Tenga
Masor Tenga is absolutely an exquisite main dish in Assamese cuisine. It is immensely enjoyed during the Bihu Festival, especially in the Bhogali or Magh Bihu when community feasts are held. The Masor Tenga recipe is an Assamese style fish curry that is enjoyed with rice as a fulfilling meal, even during non-festive days. The word ‘tenga’ means ‘sour’ in Assamese. This mouth-watering fish recipe is prepared in a special style with numerous organic ingredients, especially with tomatoes for tanginess to set into the curry. It is garnished with coriander, chilly and some lemon juice to enhance its taste.
10.Tekeli Pitha
Another exciting form of pitha is the Tekeli Pitha that derives its name from the vessel in which it is prepared. The word ‘tekeli’ means a small pitcher or kettle. This special pitha is prepared from salted rice powder steamed on the mouth of the pitcher or kettle until it takes a proper shape. It is stuffed with jaggery or coconut. It somewhat looks like the South-Indian food item ‘Idli’ but is larger and a bit different in texture. The Tekeli Pitha, when coupled with a cup of warm red tea, is a healthy and fulfilling breakfast or a treat to your stomach.
11.Xandoh Or Sandoh Guri
The Xandoh Guri is a traditional Assamese cuisine made out of ground rice flour that is dry-roasted properly until it turns golden brown. It releases a unique nutty flavour, which is great when served with yogurt or milk and some organic jaggery. It can also be relished with toppings of chopped fresh fruits or dry fruits. Xandoh Guri is not only an appetizing meal but also nutritious for the body as far as its healthy ingredients are concerned.
12.Sunga Pitha
Sunga Pitha is another special preparation for the Bihu Festival. It is a rice cake prepared with moist ‘bora’ rice powder that is put in a green bamboo tube and roasted in a fire. Salt or sugar is added to the rice powder according to preference. Due to being roasted inside a bamboo tube, the pitha gains a unique flavour. When done, the sticky roll is cut into smaller pieces and enjoyed with milk and jaggery, which appeals to the tongue very well.
13.Khaar
When it comes to Assamese cuisine and the Bihu Festival, Khaar can never be missed. Khaar is a traditional ingredient, and the dish that is prepared using it is also called khaar. Khaar is a special alkali prepared by filtering out the liquid obtained from the solution of water and the ashes of sun-dried banana peels. This dark brown liquid possesses a strong astringent flavour. A Khaar dish is prepared from pulses, vegetables, or even from fish and meat. One famous Khaar dish is the Omita Khaar that involves cooking papaya with a small amount of Khaar added. Some other popular Khaar dishes are Paleng Xaakor Khaar, Masor Khaar, etc. It is not only appetizing but also contains digestive properties. No market ingredients or baking soda can replace the authentic taste of an Assamese Khaar recipe.
14.Khola Sapori Pitha
The Khola Sapori pitha is a delectable Assamese dish that is prepared not only during the Bihu Festival but also enjoyed as evening refreshment at Assamese households. The Khola Sapori pitha is a rice pancake made from fine rice powder mixed with water and a pinch of salt. The batter is then spread evenly over a hot tawa or pan that is coated with some mustard oil. It is enjoyed directly with some warm tea or vegetable fry of one’s choice.
15.Aloo Pitika
Aloo Pitika is a standout dish of every Assamese household. This vegetarian delicacy is made with boiled mashed potatoes, salt, mustard oil, chillies and onions, and garnished with coriander. You can also add a few drops of ghee or lemon juice, according to taste. It is generally a side dish served with rice and dal, but it is still incomparably exciting and delicious. Aloo Pitika enhances the overall flavour of your meal in the most delightful manner.
16.Kol Pitha
Another simple and healthy Assamese refreshment of the Bihu Festival is the Kol Pitha. It is a special banana pancake prepared from rice flour and ripe bananas, particularly the ‘Bheem Kol’, which is a heavily seeded variety of banana found in Assam. It is kneaded into dough and its segments, which are wrapped in green banana leaves, are placed on a hot tawa or steamed properly until the banana leaves change colour. After that, the Kol Pithas are all set to unwrap. Enjoy the heavenly taste of these soft, fragrant pancakes with milk and jaggery.
17.Payokh/Sweet Pudding
Payokh or kheer is a remarkably delicious sweet dish served on special occasions and festivals like the Bihu Festival. The Assamese-style Payokh is exceptional in taste because it is prepared from the unique ‘Joha Saul’, which is a type of aromatic rice native to Assam. This Joha rice lends this dessert a distinctive flavour that is cooked with boiled milk, sugar and dry fruits like cashew nuts and raisin. Whether served hot or cold, the taste of Payokh remains uncompromised. Its aroma can lure anyone to dive into its lusciousness.
18.Paror Mangkho/Pigeon Meat Curry
Paror Mangkho is absolutely a festive treat in Assam. Pigeon meat happens to be one of the tastiest bird meats. This traditional Assamese dish is cooked with pigeon meat, potatoes, onions, and organic spices such as garlic, ginger, pepper, cardamom and chillies. It is a dish of speciality enjoyed in every Assamese household. This finger-licking meal is served with Joha rice, lentils, vegetable fry, and lemon, which sets the mood for a delicious feasting.
19.Khorisa Dia Murgir Mankho/Chicken With Bamboo Shoot Curry
The Assamese chicken with bamboo shoot curry is like no other chicken curry that you might have tasted till now. It is a unique preparation during the Bihu Festival, which is made with chicken meat, bamboo shoots and other organic ingredients. While trying bamboo shoot may not initially sound exciting and appealing to many, young and tender bamboo shoots provide a unique flavour, which accentuates the taste of the meat remarkably well. Once you dive into the promising taste of this innovative dish that brims with nutrition and flavours, you will indeed forgive the unpleasant smell of the bamboo shoots.
20.Apong
Apong is a popular and excellent indigenous beverage enjoyed during the Bihu Festival. It is an alcoholic drink enjoyed mainly by the indigenous tribes of Assam. Apong is a traditional rice beer prepared using a particular procedure. It involves fermenting cooked rice with yeast, which lends it a unique taste and aroma. Apong holds great socio-cultural significance among these indigenous tribes, and offers several therapeutic and nutritional benefits.
If you are sipping through your cup of tea and searching for some Assamese cuisine associated with the famous Bihu Festival, then you should grab the opportunity to try these exquisite delicacies out. You can rest assured that these culinary masterpieces, which are nutritious and generally require minimum ingredients, will leave your taste buds bursting with flavours!
