As Assam gears up for the week-long festival heralding the end of the harvesting season, Magh Bihu promises a vibrant blend of traditions and gastronomic delights.
Commencing on January 14 as per the Assamese calendar, the festival kicks off with fervour, dedicated to the Lord of Fire, “Agni”, diverging from the rest of India’s Sankranti festivities dedicated to the Lord of Sun, “Surya”.
No Bihu celebration is complete without a culinary extravaganza, and Bhogali Bihu is no exception. Here are five delectable Assamese must-haves to elevate your Magh Bihu culinary experience…
Til Pitha
Embark on a culinary journey with Til Pitha, a cylinder-shaped sweet crafted from the indigenous glutinous rice. The rice, soaked, strained, and ground into a fine powder, forms the base. A stuffing of coarsely ground roasted black sesame and jaggery adds a delightful twist. Cooked on a heated tawa, the rice mixture, once cooked, transforms into the delectable Til Pitha.
Narikolor Laaru
Indulge in the simplicity of Narikolor Laaru, the Assamese version of coconut balls. Grated coconut meets sugar in this straightforward recipe, resulting in a sweet mix left to meld for half an hour. Cooked on low flame and rolled into small balls, it offers a delightful coconut-infused treat.
Murir Laru
Whip up Murir Laru in a flash with four basic ingredients – ghee, jaggery, water, and murmura (puffed rice). A quick stir of jaggery syrup, addition of puffed rice, and voilà – roll it into small balls for an instant culinary delight.
Ghila Pitha
Ghila Pitha demands soaked, dried, and ground rice, stirred over a heated wok. A separate concoction of jaggery syrup, grated coconut, and a pinch of salt results in a mixture rolled into small balls. Fried to golden perfection, Ghila Pitha tantalises taste buds with its crunchy exterior and flavourful core.
Poka Mithoi
Experience Poka Mithoi’s unique blend of rice flour, black cumin, black pepper, and cardamom powder. Jaggery syrup adds sweetness to the mixture, creating round balls that promise a symphony of flavours in every bite.
