Pani Kakharu Sakkara ( Ash gourd in sweet sour gravy )

Cooking Time Required: 25-30 mins
Cost of preparation: 30-40 rupees

Ingredients: Chopped pani kakharu ( ash gourd ) ( 2 cup ), powdered jaggery ( 1 cup ),
tamarind paste ( 2-3 tsp), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp ), chilli powder ( 1/5 tsp ), oil (
2 tsp ), dry red chilli ( 2 nos ), asafoetida ( 1 pinch ), curry leaves , turmeric (
1/5 tsp ), salt ( to taste).

Preparation: Peel and cut the ash gourd into cubes.

Cooking: Boil 4 cups of water in a wok. Add powdered jaggery, tamarind paste, salt,
turmeric and chilli powder. Add the ash gourd cubes and boil for 15-20 mins till they
turn tender. The water should have reduced by half by this time else turn the flame
high to reduce excess water.

Heat the oil in a pan. Add dry red chilli, pancha phutana, asafoetida and curry leaves.
Once the seeds start crackling, pour the entire mix over the wok contents. Boil for 1-2 mins.

Serve cold with rice and dalma/dal/curry.

Ash gourd is available in Hyderabad at Hypercity, Inorbit Mall or in the local Rythu bazaars.

Dahi chicken ( Chicken in yogurt )

Cooking Time Required: 30-35 min
Cost of Preparation: 100-110 rupees

Ingredients: Chicken ( 300 gm), onion ( 2 nos, medium), tomato ( 1 medium), ginger garlic paste ( 1 tsp), coriander powder ( 2/3 tsp), cumin powder (1/3 tsp), chilli powder (1 tsp), khada garam masala ( cardamon, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves ), oil ( 5-6 tsp ), finely chopped mint leaves (1 tbs), turmeric, whole red chilli ( 1 no. ), fresh yogurt ( 1 cup or 50 gms ), cashew/almond paste ( 2 tsp ), vinegar ( 1 tsp ), coriander leaves ( 2-3 tbs), salt to taste.

Preparation: Wash the chicken pieces thouroughly. Drain excess water . Add salt and vinegar. Rub and keep aside to marinate for 10 mins.

Finely chop the onion and tomato.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the red chilli and khada garam masala followed by the chopped onion. Fry for 3-4 mins. Add ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.

Add chopped tomato and fry for 2-3 mins. Add 2 cups of water. Add the turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and salt. Bring to a boil.

Add the yogurt and stir for a while. Add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook on a low flame for 10 mins.

Finally add the cashew paste and mint leaves. Cook for 5 mins or till all water evaporates. Remove from stove.

Garnish with coriander and serve hot with white rice.

Paneer Bhurji ( Mashed cottage cheese )

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of preparation : 40-55 rupees


Ingredients: Paneer/cottage cheese (  200 gm ), finely chopped onion ( medium, 1 no. ), finely chopped carrot ( 1/3 cup ), minced tomato ( small, 1 no. ), green chilli ( 2-3 nos ), roasted cumin-chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp ), coriander powder ( 1/3 tsp ), garam masala ( a pinch ), minced coriander leaves ( 1 tbs ), ginger garlic paste ( 1/3 tsp), oil ( 1 tsp), salt.

Cooking: Boil water in a saucepan . Add salt and paneer pieces. Boil for 3-4 mins. Drain the water and lightly mash the paneer pieces.

Heat oil in a wok. Add the onions and fry till translucent. Follow with ginger garlic paste. Fry for 3-4 mins

Add carrot, green chilli and tomato along with a little salt. Add all the spices except for coriander powder. Stir fry for 3-4 mins.

Add the mashed panner and mix well. Stir fry for 2 mins.

Remove from the wok and garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with rotis/paratha/rice.

Note: This recipe can also be prepared without onion and ginger garlic paste. Add a few juliennes of ginger instead,

Gota Kalara Bhaja

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of Preparation: 60-65 Rupees

Ingredients: Bitter gourd/kalara ( 6 nos., small to medium sized ), cooking oil ( 4 tsp ), salt ( to taste), turmeric ( 1/6 tsp ), red chilli ( 1-2 nos ), garlic pods ( 5 nos ), mustard seeds ( 3 tsp ), cumin seeds ( 1 tsp ), onion ( 1 no., medium sized).

Preparation: Make a fine paste of the mustard, cumin, garlic and red chilli.

Finely chop/ coarsely grate the onion.

Make slits along the length of the bitter gourd and put them in a pressure cooker. Add salt and turmeric along with 1 cup water. Cook on high flame for 4-5 mins.

Remove from flame and allow to cool down. Remove the seeds .

Cooking: Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the onion and stir fry for 3-4 mins. Follow with the paste and  fry all ingredients for another 3 mins. Add a little amount of salt and mix well.

Remove from fire and allow to cool down.

Stuff the bitter gourds with the above prepared paste.

Heat oil in a wok. Add the bitter gourds 2-3 at a time. Cook covered for 7-8 mins or till done.

Serve hot with white rice/rotis.

Kakharu saaga Bhaja ( Pumpkin leaves fry )

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of Preparation: 25-30 Rupees

Ingredients: Kakharu saaga and dunka ( use only the tender tips, 3-4 cups ),  ridge gourd (chopped into small pieces, 1/2 cup), potato ( chopped into small pieces, 1/2 cups), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp ),  dry red chilli ( 2 nos), garlic cloves ( 5-6 nos ), oil ( 3 tsp), salt to taste.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the dry red chillis and pancha phutana. Allow to splutter.

Add all the vegetables and mix well. Cover with a lid and allow to cook till tender. ( Takes abt 7-8 mins)

Remove the lid and allow excess water to evaporate.

Add salt and mix. Add the crushed garlic flakes and remove the wok from the stove.

Serve hot with rice.

Kakharu Dunka Raee ( Pumpkin leaves/stem curry)

A delicious curry made with pumpkin leaves, stems and tendrils.


Cost of Preparation: 50-60 Rupees
Cooking Time Required: 30-35 mins


Ingredients: Chopped Kakharu dunka ( tender pumpkin stems, tendrils and leaves ) 4 cups, pumpkin ( 1/2 cup), potato ( 1/2 cup), colocassia/saru ( 1/3 cup ), brinjal ( 1/2 cup), tomato ( 1 cup ), ridge gourd ( 1/2 cup), pointed gourd/potola ( 1/2 cup), garlic pods ( 10-12 nos), red chilli ( 3-4 nos ), mustard seeds ( 2 tsp), cumin seeds ( 1 tsp), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp), oil ( 3 tsp), turmeric ( 1/4 tsp), salt to taste.

Preparation: Grind the mustard  seeds, cumin, 2 red chillis and 7-8 garlic pods into a fine paste.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the red chilli and pancha phutana. Allow to splutter.
Add all the chopped vegetables except for the pumpkin leaves and tomato. Add turmeric.

Stir fry the vegetables for 5-7 minutes. Add the pumpkin leaves and tomatoes and mix well. Sprinkle salt and cover with lid for 3-4 mins.

Add the mustard-cumin paste. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup water and cover with a lid.

Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. ( If the veggies are still not done , pressure cook on a high flame for 2-3 mins. )

Crush and add the remaining garlic flakes just before removing the wok from the stove.

Serve hot with white rice.

Chinguri Checcha ( Mashed Prawns )

Cost of Preparation: 80-90 Rupees


Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins



Ingredients: Prawns ( 250 gms ), Garlic pods (7-8 nos ), onion ( 1 no., small ), green chilli ( 1 no ), mustard oil ( 1 tsp ), turmeric ( 1/5 tsp), salt to taste, oil for cooking.


Preparation: Wash and clean the prawns. Do not remove the shell. Add salt and turmeric and mix well.


Cooking: Heat a pan. Add 2-3 tsp oil.

Add the prawns and fry them on medium flame for 5-6 mins.

Allow to cool down a bit and remove the shells.

Transfer to a grinder jar along with the onion pieces, garlic pods, green chilli and a pinch of salt. Grind into a coarse paste. Add the mustard oil to this paste and mix well.

Serve along with white rice.

Chittau Pitha

Made with rice and coconut, the Chittau pitha is a beautifully perforated dish from Odisha that reminds one of the appams. The usage of black lentil is optional though with some people avoiding it altogether. If black lentil is added it is called ' Biri Chittau'.  Addition of black lentil can also be avoided during the summers or in a hot climate as itcauses rapid fermentation and makes the batter sour.

Cooking Time Required: 30-35 mins

Ingredients: Raw rice/ arua ( 4 cups ), coconut ( 1 no ), salt to taste, oil for cooking.


Preparation: Wash and soak the rice for 4-5 hours. Drain and transfer to the mixie jar.

Break the coconut and cut into small pieces.

Add the coconut pieces to the same mixie jar. Grind into a fine and watery paste.


Keep aside for 2-3 hours to allow for fermentation in hot weather. 5-6 hours is needed for cold weather.


Cooking: Heat a thick bottomed wok ( kadai ). Add a little oil .


Add salt to the batter and mix well. Pour sufficient batter into the wok to form a

thick pancake.

Cover with a lid. Take a wet cloth and put around the rim of the lid.( OR sprinkle

water along the sides of the wok )

Allow to cook on a low flame for 5-6 minutes ( Do not flip over ).

Remove from the wok.


Note: Chitta pitha is cooked on one side only and remains soft on the other side. Its

distinguishing feature is the presence of tiny holes all over its surface.

Any guesses as to the best way of devouring these piping hot beauties ???

Besara dia Matti Alu Bhaja ( Suran fries )

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of Preparation: 30-35 Rupees


Ingredients: Matti Alu/ Suran ( 200 gm ), cooking oil ( 7-8 tsp ), salt ( to taste), turmeric ( 1/3 tsp ), soaked rice ( 2-3 tsp), mustard seeds ( 3 tsp ), green chilli ( 1-2 nos ).

Preparation: Grind the mustard seeds with the green chilli into a fine paste.

Grind the rice separately into a thin watery paste. Add a pinch of salt to this paste.

Cut the suran into 1/2 cm thick pieces. Wash throughly.

Cooking: Take the suran pieces in a wok. Add the mustard seed paste along with salt and turmeric. Pour just enough water to cover the pieces.

Cook on a medium flame for 5-6 mins till almost done. Remove from stove, drain excess water and allow to cool down.

Heat a non-stick pan. Drizzle a little oil on it.

Dip the boiled suran pieces in the rice paste and place on the pan. Fry on both sides till lightly crisp.















Serve hot with white rice.

Piaja Sandha Bhaja ( Onion flower stalk fry )

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of preparation: 15-20 rupees

Ingredients: Piaja Sandha/Onion flowers stalks ( 1 bunches ), potato ( 1 no, medium
sized ), dry red chillis ( 2-3 nos.), roasted cumin-chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp ), turmeric ( 2-3 pinch ), salt to taste, vegetable oil ( 3-4 tsp ), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp ).

Preparation: Wash and cut the onion flower stalks into inch sized pieces.

Wash and cut the potato into small pieces so that both vegetables can cook togather.

Cooking: Heat a non-stick pan. Drizzle a little oil. Turn the flame to high.

Add the broken red chillis and pancha-phutana. Allow seeds to crackle.

Add the potato and onion stalk pieces. Sprinkle turmeric and salt. Mix well and cook
covered for 8-10 mins. Stir occasionally so that the vegetables do not stick to the pan.

Sprinkle the chilli-cumin powder, mix well and remove from the stove.

Serve hot with rice or rotis.

In a slight variation of this recipe, swap the pancha phutana with mustard seeds and add 1 tsp of mustard paste (diluted with 1-2 tbsp of water) towards the end of the cooking. Once this liquid is absorbed, swap the roasted cumin chili powder with fried and crushed urad dal badis. Remove from the flame and serve immediately to retain the crunch provided by the badis.

Onions flower stalks are available twice a year in most markets in Odisha, first during the early winter and then during late spring. They make a wonderful side dish with Pakhala too.

Kakharu Phula Bara ( Pumpkin Flower Fries )

We Odias will eat anything as long as it is sourced from a plant. Not that we do not eat non-vegetarian food. We do with utmost delight. But are very fastidious about it. Certain cuts of meat will never ever make it to our dining tables and the same holds true for a variety of salt-water fishes. But when it comes to a plant based diet, we will happily munch on the fruits, flowers, leaves, stems and even the roots of certain plants.

The 'Kakharu phula' or the pumpkin leaf is considered to be quite a delicacy in Odisha. But interestingly, it is only the male flowers that are plucked for consumption. The female flowers are always left behind on the creepers to develop into fruits.

Read on for the recipe of 'Kakharu Phula bara' -

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins

Ingredients  -

• 20 nos Kakharu phula/Pumpkin flowers
• 2-3 nos dry red chillis
• 1/3 tsp cumin seeds
• 5-6 tsp rice
• 1 tsp besan
• salt to taste
• 3-4 tsp of any vegetable oil
• 2 tsp freshly grated coconut ( optional ) 

Preparation - 

Remove all the parts of the flowers except for the petals. Wash them gently and pat dry with a paper towel.

Soak the rice in a cup of warm water for about 2-3 hours.

Wash and grind the soaked rice along with the cumin, red chili and coconut into a smooth paste of medium consistency. Add the besan to this paste and mix it well.

Cooking: Heat a non-stick pan. Drizzle/spray a little oil.

Hold two of the pumpkin flowers together ( or you can do this with individual flowers too ) and dip into the batter. Put it on the pan.

Repeat with the remaining flowers.

Cook on one side till crisp and reddish. Flip over, spray a little oil and cook the other side till reddish in color .

Serve hot with rice as a side dish.