Introduction
Assamese food is known for its unique and distinct flavours, locally sourced ingredients like khar (alkaline extracts) and tenga (souring agent) and traditional cooking methods. A quintessential Assamese thali is every foodie’s dream. This is because Assamese food is all about a balance of rich flavours that create a symphony in your mouth.
While this land of lush tea gardens is more popular for its non-vegetarian dishes, Assamese vegetarian dishes also have a special place in the world of Indian cuisine. These dishes are far from being bland and they will give your taste buds a riot of flavours. The best part about Assamese cuisine is that it is characterised by a balance of sour, spicy and tangy flavours.
So, if you are looking to broaden your culinary experience and considering trying Assamese vegetarian food for the first time, here are the six popular vegetarian Assamese dishes that you must try.
1. Assamese Malpua
This sweet delicacy is especially devoured in Assamese houses during Bihu, their harvest festival. It is typically had for breakfast by the locals. You will need all-purpose flour, rice flour, jaggery, salt, cardamom and oil to whip out this Assamese malpua recipe.
A batter similar to that of a dosa batter is made by mixing all purpose flour, rice flour, melted jaggery, salt and cardamom. Then a ladle of this batter is poured in oil and the malpua is deep-fried until it turns a gorgeous golden brown hue.
2. Doi Chira
Doi Chira is another popular light meal that is devoured by the locals, typically early in the morning. It is nothing but beaten rice, curd and jaggery. This simple dish is a comfort food for Assamese people and it instantly induces a sense of nostalgia amongst them. It is a sweet and creamy cuisine that is great for the winter months.
3. Til Pitha
Assamese rice pitha or til pitha is again a breakfast item that is enjoyed with morning chai. The main ingredients used to make this dish are rice, jaggery and sesame and til pithas look like spring rolls. The outside wrapper is made from glutinous local rice and the sweet filling inside is made using sesame and jaggery. Assamese rice pitha is a popular sweet dish that is enjoyed by the locals during the Bihu festival.
4. Aloo Pitika
We all know that sometimes simple dishes are the ones that warm your soul and make you feel satiated and content. Aloo Pitika is the epitome of comfort food. It is a mashed potato dish that is a staple in every Assamese household. In this dish, mashed potato is seasoned with mustard oil, green chillies, raw onions, coriander and a pinch of salt.
It is often served as a side dish in Assamese thali. You can also enjoy it with a bowl of rice or rotis. If you want to prepare this dish just like how the locals do it, then mash the potatoes with your hands instead of using a masher.
5. Khar
Khar is an alkaline extract that you get from dried banana peel. It is the signature Assamese ingredient that is used in many Assamese foods. Khar has a bitter, salty and earthy flavour to it. It is often used with raw papaya, spinach, bottle gourd, etc. You can enjoy khar with rice, vegetables and fish.
6. Xaak Aru Bhaji
This local cuisine is made using plenty of leafy vegetables and herbs. It is then seasoned with ginger, garlic, lemon, onion, cinnamon and other local spices. It is often served as a side dish alongside a bowl of steamed rice. Typically, a stir fry of potato is mixed with this vegetable to further enhance the taste and flavour of this unique dish.
The Takeaway
If you want an explosion of taste and texture, then Assamese vegetarian recipes are what you must explore next. The diverse range of flavours that these dishes offer is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of this land of rolling plains.
Thinking of whipping out these local Assamese recipes at home? We love your enthusiasm and have the perfect place for you to shop for all the spices and masalas you will need to create these culinary delights.
At Sunrise Masala you can explore a range of spices or masalas from red chilli powder, black pepper powder and cumin powder to spicy masalas like biryani masalas, chana masala and paneer butter masala, we have them all and more!
Frequently Asked Questions About Assamese Food
1. Is Assamese food spicy?
Assamese food is known to use chilli peppers, hence their cuisines can be quite spicy. However, the level of spiciness varies from one region to another and from one household to another.
2. What are a few popular non-vegetarian Assamese cuisines that you must try?
Some famous Assamese dishes that you must try out are masor tenga (tangy fish curry), haah joha kumara (duck cooked with ash gourd) and lai xaak gahori (pork with mustard greens).
3. What does an Assamese thali typically consist of?
An authentic Assamese thali will include dali (lentil and potato side dish), mati mahor dali (black gram- based lentil preparation), bilahir tok (tomato chutney), xaak (a spinach sauté), papad and doi (curd).
4. Is Assamese cuisine healthy?
Yes, Assamese dishes are healthy as they use mustard oil for preparations. Mustard oil is known to promote heart health, digestion, immunity and reduce inflammation. Assamese cuisine also uses fresh herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, onion, coriander, etc which are great for your health.