Magh Bihu 2022: Enjoy these lip-smacking traditional delicacies from Assam - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Magh Bihu 2022: Enjoy these lip-smacking traditional delicacies from Assam

Jan 11, 2022 06:22 PM IST

Magh Bihu 2022: Made with simple ingredients, these delectable traditional Assamese recipes are must-have on Magh Bihu. 

Magh Bihu 2022: The harvest festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm in different parts of India, be it Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, Makar Sankranti in Northern India, Uttarayan in Gujarat, or Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Magh Bihu celebrated in Assam is the time for people of the state to make merry, partake in different kinds of games, sing songs and eat good food. Also known as Bhogali Bihu, the festival cannot be complete without bhog or feast.

Magh Bihu is synonymous with great food(Pinterest)
Magh Bihu is synonymous with great food(Pinterest)

Celebrated over two days, the first day of Magh Bihu is known as Uruka or Bihu eve. Young people erect makeshift huts called Meji and Bhelaghar from bamboo, leaves and thatch to enjoy the feast. These huts are burnt by people on the second day of the festival as part of the ritual of Meji Jwaluwa.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The festival is synonymous with great food and various kinds of rice cakes and sweets made of til (sesame) and jaggery are prepared on this day. Here are five popular Magh Bihu foods that people enjoy on this day.

ALSO READ: Makar Sankranti 2022: Know the impact of Sun-Saturn conjunction after 29 years

1. Til Pitha

The cylinder-shaped sweet delight is a must-have on Magh Bihu. It is made from a local rice variety known as glutinous rice which has opaque grains and becomes sticky when cooked. The rice is soaked, strained and dried nicely for a couple of hours and turned into a fine powder using a grinder. Roasted black sesame are then ground coarsely and mixed with jaggery to be used as a stuffing in Til Pitha. Rice powder is spread evenly in round shape over a heated tawa and the mixture of til and jaggery is spread over it. The rice powder after getting cooked can be rolled with the help of a knife or back of a spoon. This is how the delectable Til Pithas are made.

Til Pitha(Pinterest)
Til Pitha(Pinterest)

2. Narikolor Laru

The Assamese version of coconut balls or nariyal laddoo has a very simple recipe that can be made with minimum ingredients. Grated coconut is mixed with sugar and kept aside for around half-n-hour. The mix is then cooked on low flame for around 25 minutes and transferred to the plate. It is then rolled into small balls.

3. Murir Laru

This can be made in a jiffy and all you need are just four simple ingredients - ghee, jaggery, water and murmura or puffed rice. Add a bit of ghee to a pan along with two cups of jaggery. Stir it continuously. To check the right consistency, add some jaggery syrup to a bowl of water and if the jaggery drops float over it, your syrup is ready. Add puffed rice or murmura or muri to the syrup and mix well. Roll into small balls.

Murir Laru
Murir Laru

4. Ghila Pitha

Soak rice for 2 hours, dry it and then grind it. Once the fine rice powder is ready, add it to a wok, and stir it for 5-7 minutes. Take 100 gm jaggery and add it to a separate pan. Add 1/2 cup water to it and stir. Take out rice flour in a vessel, add a pinch of salt, two cups of grated coconut and mix well. Add jaggery syrup to it and mix. Make small balls. Heat oil in a wok and drop the balls gently. Fry well till they are golden.

Poka Mithoi(Pinterest)
Poka Mithoi(Pinterest)

5. Poka Mithoi

Heat the pan and add 2.5 cups of rice flour to it and stir well. Add black cumin 1/2tbsp and keep stirring. Add 1/2 tbsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp cardamom powder and stir. Remove from flame and keep aside for 10 minutes. Heat a wok and add two cups of jaggery, add 1/2 cup water, stir it continuously till 1 string consistency. Add jaggery syrup to rice flour and mix well. Make round balls.

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On