Skip to main content

Ten things you should know about an Assamese Thali



What is a Thali 



Thali is an Indian word which means "a large plate used for the purpose of serving lunch or dinner" . However the word 'thali' is also used to refer an Indian style of meal served in a thali or a big platter (or sometimes a banana leaf) along with some small bowls used to serve vegetables,  curries and curd. Thali culture is very popular in India and every community or every corner of the country has their own and unique display of the thali through their popular and indigenous recipes. Thali is a delicious meal available in many restaurants throughout the country which is at the same time inexpensive too. So to know the different parts of India and their varied cultures, eating a thali is a simple and easy way.

What is Assamese Thali 


Priyanka Chopra with an Assamese Thali served in bell metal utensils/ p.c. internet 

Assam is a state in the northeast part of India. It is the heart of northeast India. In Assam there are many tribes living, having their own language,  culture,  customs, traditions and of course own cuisines.  So Assamese cuisine is the cuisine of Assam and its different communities and tribes living in different parts of Assam and Assamese Thali is a display of  Assamese cuisine. Like many other Indian thalis, in Assamese thali also the rice sits in the center of the plate and is traditionally eaten with the fingers of the right hand. Unlike every other Indian thalis  Assamese thali also have some specialities which makes it different from other thalis.

An Assamese thali by Binita Borpatragohain

Ten things you should know about an Assamese Thali 


1• An Assamese thali is served in bell metal utensils. Bell metal is an alloy of copper and tin. Bell metal utensils are used by Assamese communities for domestic and religious purposes. In an Assamese thali bell metal plate,  bowls,  glass etc are used which makes Assamese thali unique from other Indian thalis. 

2• An Assamese meal begin with khar. 
Khar is an alkali prepared from sun dried skin of some varieties of banana.  It is prepared by filtering the water from the burn ashes of the skin of the banana Therefore it is also called kolkhar (kol means banana). It is preserved in bottles and can be used for months. It sounds bizarre but Assamese people are using khar as a cooking ingredient since time immemorial when salt was not discovered. It is believed that khar cleanses the stomach.

 A traditional Assamese meal begin with khar recipe.  A khar recipe can be prepared with raw papaya, bottle gourd, dry Jasmin flower,  doron bon xaak, fish head etc. In a khar recipe khar is the key ingredient.  One or two tablespoons is enough to prepare khar recipe.  Khar can also be consumed as raw by just adding chopped garlic,  few drops of mustard oil and salt.

So khar makes an Assamese thali unique from other Indian thalis .

3• Pitika is an essential part of Assamese thali. Pitika is an Assamese word which means mashed. Pitika dishes are very popular in Assam. It is a side dish and a signature recipe of Assamese cuisine. Its taste is very pure and yummy. Sometimes raw onion is used and sometimes fried onion is used in these recepies. Assamese people use mustard oil for all purposes as it can also be consumed  as raw. Pickled chilli or pickled bhut jolokia adds more taste to these dishes. Assamese people used to make pitika from almost all the vegetables but among them alu pitika or mashed potatoes is the favorite one. 


An Assamese thali by Taru Phukan 

4• One must dish of an Assamese thali is Kahudi or pain tenga (black mustard chutney) . Black mustard seeds' chutney or kahudi is an unique dish of its kind. Because of its strong flavour it is good for sneezing or runny nose. Assamese love to have kahudi with rice which makes Assamese thali unique from other Indian thalis .

5• Mati mahor dail /urad dal or split black gram is a traditional gram of Assam.  An Assamese thali without mati mahor dal is incomplete.  Split black gram is cooked with or without khar and served in bell metal bowls.

6• Different herbs and medicinal plants and leafy vegetables (xaak) are available in this part of India such an fiddlehead ferns,  skunk vine,  colocasia leaves,  modhuxulung etc. These herbs,  greens and vegetables are generally eaten by simple frying, adding into different lentils, fish or meat. One such dish must be present in an Assamese thali without which an Assamese thali is incomplete.

7• Every Thali has pickles and chutneys. Assamese thalis also has pickles and chutneys. Pickles and chutneys add flavour to a thali and in Assamese thali one green chutney  and bhut jolokia pickle or bamboo shoots and bhut jolokia pickle are must items.

An Assamese thali by Nitumoni Das Sarmah

8• Local chicken, squab, mutton, duck and pork are very popular among indigenous people of Assam but when it comes to the non-vegetarian Assamese thali , duck is in the first preference.

9• Masor tenga / sour fish curry is a signature dish of Assamese cuisine.  There are many souring agents used to make sour fish curries such as elephant apple, modhuxulung,  thekera, tomatoes, lemon etc. In every non-vegetarian Assamese thali one dish of sour fish curry must include.

10. Dessert is a western concept which don't exist in Assamese cuisine. Curd is generally served with thali which is consumed at the end of the meal. An Assamese meal concludes with the shewing of tamul paan (betel nut and leaf) which is served in a bell metal utensil called bota.  Pieces of betel nuts are served with pieces of betel leaves together with edible limestone and tobacco. The reason behind shewing tamul paan at the end of a meal is to freshen the breath and to hasten the process of digestion.  But in restaurants tamul paan is not served with Assamese thali but in many Assamese household it is a routine item after every meal. Instead of tamul paan,  saunf (fennel seeds) is served in restaurants.

P. C. Binita Borpatragohain,  Taru Phukan,  Nitumoni Das Sarmah

Comments

  1. Yaa rumi very testy our thali....actually assamese culture is very rich...we fell proud to be an assamese

    ReplyDelete
  2. 0eldisPnase_1980 Eric Spier Here
    mihostobit

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

List of Vegetables used in Assamese Cuisine with their English name.

Here is a list of 50 leafy and non-leafy vegetables used in Assamese cuisine with their English name.         Assamese name = English name  Lai xaak(লাই শাক)= Mustard green  Paleng xaak(পালেং শাক)= Spinach  Horiyoh xaak(সৰিয়হ শাক)= Mustard plant  Dhekia(ঢেকিয়া)= Fiddlehead ferns  Meethi xaak(মিথি শাক)= Fenugreek greens Mati kaduri(মাটি কাডুৰি)= Sessile joyweed  Lofa xaak(লফা শাক)= Chinese mellow   Bor-manimuni(বৰ-মানিমুনি)= Asiatic pennywort  Sofguti(চফগুটি)= Fennel  Dangbodi(ডাংবদি)= Yard long been  Kolmou(কলমৌ)= Water spinach  Titamora(তিতামৰা)= Jute plant  Tengamora(টেঙামৰা)= Roselle  Bhekuri(ভেকুৰী)= Indian nightshade  Squash(স্কচ্)= Chayote squash  Bahgaj(বাহঁগাজ)= Bamboo shoots  Betgaj(বেতগাজ)= Rattan shoots  Sojina(চজিনা)= Drumstick  Maan-dhania(মান ধনিয়া)= Long coriander  Mosondori(মচন্দৰি)= Heart leaf  Bhedai lota(ভেদাইলতা)= Skunk vine  Zilmil(জিলমিল)= White goosefoot  Moricha(মৰিচা)= Amaranth  Khutura(খুতুৰা)= Green amaranth  Oolkobi(ওলকব

List of Fruits found in Assam with their English Names

Here is a list of fruits found in Assam with their English names.  Assamese Name = English Name  Kordoi (কৰদৈ) = Starfruit (Scientific name : Averrhoa carambola) Lichu (লিচু) = Litchi (Scientific name : Litchi chinensis) Matikothal (মাটিকঠাল) = Pineapple (Scientific name : Ananas comosus) Komola (কমলা) = Orange  Noga Tenga (নগা টেঙা) = Rhus srmialata Ahom Bogori = Peach (Scientific name : Prunus persica) Kothal (কঠাল) = Jackfruit (Scientific name : Artocarpus heterophyllus) Siral (চিৰাল) = Mouse Melon (Scientific name : Melothria scabra) Torbuj (তৰবুজ) = Watermelon (Scientific name : Citrullus lanatus) Bogori (বগৰী) = Jujube ( Scientific name :  Zizyphus jujuba) Modhuri (মধুৰী) = Guava  Jamuk (জামুক) = Malabar Plum, Java Plum or Black Plum (Scientific name : Syzygium cumini) Aam (আম) = Mango   Mouchumi (মৌচুমি) = Sweet Lime (Scientific name : Citrus limetta) Lataku (লেতেকু) = Baccurea (Scientific name : Baccurea sapida) Dalim (ডালিম) = Pomegranate (Scientific

List of Spices(মচলা) with their English and Assamese names

 Here is a list of 25 spices (মচলা) with their English and Assamese names.  Assamese name = English name  Ada (আদা) = Ginger (Scientific name : Zingiber officinale)  Nohoru (নহৰু) = Garlic (Scientific name : Allium sativum)  Piyaj (পিয়াজ) = Onion ( Scientific name : Allium cepa)  Dhania (ধনিয়া) = Coriander ( Scientific name : Coriandrum sativum)  Jeera (জিৰা) = Cumin (Scientific name : Cuminum cyminum)  Ronga guri jolokia (ৰঙা গুৰি জলকীয়া) = Red chilli powder  Hukan jolokia (শুকান জলকীয়া) = Dry chilli  Kola nimokh (কলা নিমখ) = Black salt  Long (লং) = Clove ( Scientific name : Syzygium aromaticum)  Dalsini (দালচিনি) = Cinnamon  Elaichi (ইলাচী) = Cardamom  Kala jeera (ক'লা জিৰা) = Black cumin  Saunf (চ'ফ) = Fennel seeds ( Scientific name : Foeniculum vulgare)  Methi (মিথি) = Fenugreek ( Scientific name : Trigonella foenum-graecum ) Haldhi (হালধী) = Turmeric  Tejpat (তেজপাত) = Bay leaf  Jaluk (জালুক) = Pepper  Narasingha (নৰসিংহ) = Curry leaves  Til (তিল) = Sesame seeds ( Scientif

30 Assamese Pitika Recipes

Pitika  Pitika is an Assamese word which means mashed. Pitika dishes are very popular in Assam. It is a side dish and a signature recipe of Assamese cuisine. Assamese people love to eat vegetables by mashing them with chopped onion, chilli and mustard oil after boiling or smoking/grilling them. Its taste is very pure. Sometimes raw onion is used and sometimes fried onion is used in these recepies. We use mustard oil for all purposes as it can also be consumed  as raw. Pickled chilli or pickled bhut jolokia adds more taste to these dishes. These pitika recipes are great appetizer and generally takes very less time to prepare. Here I am going to share 30 simple pitika recipies. 30 Assamese Pitika Recipes : 1. Aloo pitika | Mashed potatoes Ingredients: 2 potatoes 1 small onion chopped 2 green chillies chopped Green coriander leaves chopped 1 tbsp mustard oil Salt to taste Method: Boil potatoes. Peel the skin and mash it in a bowl. Add the other ingredients and m

Ahom Bogori (Peach)

Ahom Bogori (Assamese আহোম বগৰী)  in English is called Peach. It's scientific name is Prunus persica. Peaches resembles and closely related to apricots and plums. Peaches are soft when ripened and are very delicious. Unlike apricot and plum, peaches have one large middle seed.  As I googled I found that peach fruit was domesticated and cultivated for the first time in Northwest China. It's a summer fruit and largely available in Assam. It is believed that the name ' Ahom bogori ' is derived from the Kingdom of Ahom . It may be because the Ahoms have brought with them the seeds of peach.  Ahom is a large community originally from the Chinese province of Yunnan, which is located on Southwest China. From Yunnan, they migrated into Myanmar and then after crossing the Patkai Mountains entered Assam. The Ahoms have established their dynasty and ruled the Ahom Kingdom, the present day Assam for about 600 years.  We call this fruit as ahom bogori from childhood.  B

Assamese Doi Chira Jolpan Recipe

Assamese Jolpan recipes are generally breakfast recipes which requires no cooking and can be prepared in no time.  These jolpan recipes are not only served as breakfast but can also be served to guests specially in the time of Bihu festivities. Jolpan recipes usually consists of various forms of rice like rice flakes (chira), puffed rice(muri/hurung/akhoi), handoh(roasted and grounded rice),  Soft rice(kumol saul) etc.  These rice varieties are served with curd/yougurt(doi), and jaggery(gur) to make jolpan . Use either cow curd or buffalo curd. You can also use curd prepared in bamboo hollow. But serve Assamese jolpan only on bell metal(kahor) bowl because it is a tradition. Recipe of Doi Chira: >Preparation time: 15 minutes >Cooking time: 0 minutes >Total: 15 minutes. >Serve: 2 INGREDIENTS: 2 cups rice flakes 1 cup curd/yougurt 1/2 cup jeggery 1/2 cup cream(optional) METHOD: Soak rice flakes in warm water for 2-3 minutes.  Squeeze and drain the remaining

Elephant apple and dates chutney (Ou tenga chutney)

Dillenia Indica commonly known as Elephant  Apple or  Ou tenga  is a fruit ,  sour in taste and very native to Assamese cuisine. Ou tenga contains vitamins C and E along with vitamin B complex and potassium. It also contains antioxidants. Elephant apple is generally used in Assamese cuisine to make fish curries. Dates contains several vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Dried dates are a good source of magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium. However dried dates are high in calories. Today I am going to share a chutney made from elephant apple and dried dates . I made this chutney for my office party. It was served with alu and methi parathas togather with peanut chutney.   Here is the recipe: ELEPHANT APPLE AND DATES CHUTNEY / OU TENGA CHUTNEY: INGREDIENTS: 1 elephant apple 1 cup dried dates  1 cup water  1/2 cup jaggery  1/2 cup suger  1/2 tsp black cumin or kala jeera seeds 1 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp cumin powder 1/2 tsp coriander powder 2/3 bay leaves 2/3 dry red chilie

Pork with mustard greens (Lai xaak)

Mustard green is a green leafy vegetable. I love its taste.  Its little bitter but it taste good once cooked.  Many recipes can be made with this beautiful green leafy vegetable. Fish with mustard greens , mustard greens stir fry, mustard green raw chutney,  boiled mustard greens are some of the mustard greens recipes.    Pork with mustard greens is a very special recipe of  Assam . Use full grown mature and soft mustard green leaves only. This recipe is very simple and very less spices are used. Assamese cuisine  is in fact less spicy compared to other Indian cuisines.  Pork with mustard greens is served as a side dish with rice. Assam is a rice eating state and Assamese generally eat rice at lunch and dinner.  So this pork  recipe can be served at lunch and dinner with steamed rice. But some people don't like to have leafy vegetables at night.  So for them serve at lunch only. Pork with mustard greens (Lai xaak) 📎 Course :  Main course  📎Cuisine :  Indian

10 Food Quiz Questions and Answers To Test Your Knowledge On Indian Food

Test your food knowledge on Indian food. Get the answers on the bottom of the post. A.  Litti chokha is a famous food of which State Assam  Bihar  Maharashtra  Gujarat  B. A burger like fast food dish of Maharashtra Kathi roll  Samosa  Vada pav Dhokla  C. Which state is the largest producer of rice Assam West Bengal  Punjab Maharashtra  D. Which is not a sweet dish  Ghevar  Chikki  Shrikhand  Medhu vada  E. Which is not an Indian bread  Phulka  Parantha  Chapati  Concha  F. Rogan josh is a signature recipe of  Assamese cuisine  Kashmiri cuisine  Mughlai cuisine  Goan cuisine  G. Which of the following  is not a Bengali dish Misti doi Samosa Roshogolla  Sambar vara  H. Which of the following is not a south Indian dish  Sambar Upma  Dal makhani  Sevai  I. Who was the winner of MasterChef India season:1 Kirti Bhoutika  Pankaj Bhadoirua Nikita Gandhi  Abhinas Nayak 

Namsing : A Mishing Delicacy

 Mishing are an ethnic community living in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Unlike other Assamese cuisines, Mishing cuisine is also unique of its kind. Mishing people are mainly non-vegetarian and rice is their main food. They eat different greens and herbs as vegetable together with fish, pork, chicken, duck meat etc. Namsing is a very popular dish among Mishing people. Namsing is nothing but dry and grounded fish . Dry and grounded fish is equally popular among other ethnic groups of Assam also but they call it hukoti .  The method of preparation of namsing is little different from hukoti. In preparing namsing Mishing people also add few herbs like colocasia leaves, long coriander etc. Small river fishes are used to make namsing. At first they clean the fishes and then dry them under sun or on smoke over stove top. After that they grounded the dry fishes together with different herbs in husking pedal (dhaki). They use bamboo tubes and filled the tubes with the grounded mixture