Aakhol Ghor, the Assamese Cuisines and Foods from Assam

Its all about Food and Food Habits from the land of blue hills and red river, Assam.

Aakhol Ghor means Kitchen in Assamese. Assamese traditional Kitchens normally has two parts. First the dining area plus a small cooking space for tea etc. And the next bigger and more functional room is the actual kitchen with at least two earthen fire places (chowka).If you are a food lover you can hope to see a lot of authentic Assamese Recipes in this place......

DISCLAIMER

Some famous Chef of India once said, " India is so unique, one can find three different recipes for the same chicken curry in the three houses lined in the same row. Every kitchen and every cook in India has it's own cook book, unlike rest of the world."
I personally feel it is so well said. Even in my case, you might find small to big differences in your known method of cooking and the ones posted here. I call them true Assamese for two main reasons, one: because of the spices used, and two: my granny knew nothing beyond her village ( she did not believe that cauliflower can be green, which is Broccoli). So whatever she cooked was passed on over generation. And my Mom finds it hard to believe anything can be cooked beyond her traditional methods( she is best at it, though she makes excellent Indo - Chinese things, invented). So please feel free to put in your comments / correction. One thing I can assure is I have cooked all these ( everything) myself with my own hands at least once. So whatever is here is tried and tested. You are always welcome to do your bit of experiment !!!!!

Assorted Assamese Platters: A Photo Feature - Part 1

First part of a series of photo features which showcase various Assamese cuisines prepared and served during various occasions. This part features the followings:


1. Bihur Jolpan (Traditional breakfast served during Bihu)
2. Doinandin Exaj (Common Man's everyday platter)
3. Gaonor Exaj (A villagers thali)
4. Gharua Exaj (Thali served for close relatives)
5. Alohir Exaj (Special thali prepared for guests)


Next part will feature photos of typical various Assamese thalis and food served in different restaurants right from dhabas to five star hotels.


Part three will feature photos of typical thali served in special community feasts like marriage, holy rituals like Xokam/ Puja etc.


Here we go:


Bihur Jolpan (Traditional Breakfast during Bihu)


1. Bihur Jolpan (Traditional breakfast during Bihu)


This is a snap of one of the traditional breakfast which we prepared on one of the Bihus sometime back. This includes the following items:


1. Sira, Muri, Doi, Cream, Gur served in a 'baan baati' (towards extreme right)
2. Ghlia Pitha
3. Ketli Pitha
4. Narikalor Laru
5. Tilor Laru
6. Komal Saul aru Gakhir


These were something which we can manage to prepare staying away from Assam.
2. Alohir Jolpan (Tea for guests) 


Aalohir Jolpan (Tea for guests)
This photo shows a typical table spread for special guests who visit you for tea. The spread present in this photo comprised of the following:


1. Assortment of pithas
2. Sweets (North Indian, Bengali and traditional)
3. Salted Crackers
4. Fried/ Baked snacks
5. And of course a lots of tea (with milk and sugar)




















3. Doinandin Exaj (An everyday meal for an average family)


Usually for the ease of serving and washing of the dishes afterwards, most of the families prefer using stainless steel utensils now a days. This thali features:
Dainik Exaj (Everyday Assamese Thali)


1. Masoor dali
2. Xaak bhaji
3. Fried side dishes
4. Fish curry
5. Salad
6. Plain steamed rice
7. Pitika










4. Gaonor Exaj (A villagers platter)


Gaonor Exaj (A villagers thali)
This is a typical sample of a meal which every household in the villages in Assam has on regular basis. This photo was taken during a visit to one of the villages in middle Assam last year. The specialty of the meal featured was that every ingredient of the dishes you see in the photo was home grown and farm fresh.


5. Gharua Exaj (Thali served for close relatives)


Gharua Exaj (Assamese Thali for relatives)
Buffet spread for relatives
You should be able to identify the items here :)




6. Aalohir Exaj (Special thali prepared for guests)


Aalohir Exaj (Assamese thali served for guests)
Assamese Buffet
Here we have two different snaps. One shows a typical serving of food on table once the guests are seated in traditional utensils and plates. The other one shows modern day buffet spread typically done for convenience.


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