Traditional Cuisine Of Assam

Cuisine of Assam

Do you know, what 'Khar' is ??

Most probably you don't, but of course if you are from Assam and specially belong to an Assamese family it might be a common name to you. As per me, my father is an Assamese and my mother is a Bengali, so you can say I am brought up in the colorful blend of two cultures and traditions, and Khar is quite a common dish in our household. It is an unique traditional  Assamese cuisine, which is both an ingredient as well as a dish. 

Assamese cuisines totally depends upon the ingredients that are available in our surroundings and totally nature-dependent. Assamese recipes are harmonized with seasonal produces and often includes dishes that help us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will never hear any famous street food or junk food from Assam because the traditional food available in Assam are all good for health and requires less oil and masalas. One of those traditional cuisines is Khar. 

Khar is obtained by filtering water through the ashes of sun-dried banana peel or banana stems of Aathiya Kol (Musa Balbisiana), a type of banana . An ingredient which literally rises out of the ashes to turn into a delicacy. Khar can be mixed with a lot of other ingredients to make different variations of the dish. It is mainly cooked with mushy and wet vegetables, popular ones are raw papaya, different gourds, cucumber. My favorite you might wonder is cucumber Khar with small fish, this along with hot rice is a heavenly combination to me. Khar can also be used in green leafy vegetables like spinach and pulses too.

It is like a healthy relationship which has evolved over the years, from the first time eating it till now and the bond with this cuisine has just gotten stronger. Khar has many health benefits too. It is known to cleanse your stomach, curing digestive disorders. If you are suffering from diarrhea, just a spoon full of Khar with hot rice can make you and your stomach feel at ease. 

RECIPE TIME !!!

Tiyohor Khar aru Xoru Maas (cucumber khar with small fish)

Ingredients

Cucumber - 3 medium sized

Khar - 2tbsp

Ginger paste - 1tbsp

Garlic - 3-4 cloves (optional)

Green chilies - as per your preference

Small Fish - 100gm

Salt - as per your taste

Method 

Clean the fishes nicely, add some salt and keep it aside for 10 min.

Put the pan in the stove to heat and add 2tbsp of mustard oil, sauté the fishes for 5 minutes and keep it aside.

Now, on the same pan add 2 tbsp. of mustard oil again and after it is hot enough, add mashed garlic cloves, green chilies and sauté them together. 

Then, add the cucumber, salt as per your taste and fry for 5-6 minutes in medium flame.

Cover the pan for 10 minutes to properly cook up all the ingredients.

Remove the lid and add khar, give a little stir and then add the fried fish and ginger paste. 

Cook the preparation for another 6-7 minutes till the water gets dried up and then the delicious cuisine is ready. 

Now after preparing the dish just one thing is left to do that is, eating it with hot rice and experiencing a new flavor.