Makar Chaula is a traditional dish prepared in the state of Odisha, India, especially during the festival of Makar Sankranti. It is a dish made with newly harvested rice, jaggery, coconut, banana, and sesame seeds. Here's a simple recipe for Makar Chaula:
Ingredients:
- Newly harvested rice - 1 cup
- Jaggery (grated) - 1/2 cup
- Coconut (grated) - 1/4 cup
- Banana - 1 (sliced)
- Sesame seeds - 2 tablespoons
- Milk - 1/4 cup (optional)
- Ghee (clarified butter) - 1 tablespoon
- Cashews and raisins - for garnishing (optional)
Instructions:
Wash and soak rice:
Rinse the newly harvested rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 15-20 minutes.
Cook Rice:
Cook the soaked rice until it's soft and separate. You can use a rice cooker or cook it on the stovetop.
Prepare Sesame Seeds:
In a pan, dry roast the sesame seeds until they become golden brown. Keep them aside.
Combine Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, grated jaggery, grated coconut, sliced banana, and roasted sesame seeds.
Add milk (Optional):
If you prefer a slightly creamy texture, you can add a quarter cup of milk to the mixture. Mix well.
Tempering:
In a small pan, heat ghee. Add cashews and raisins (if using) and fry until they turn golden brown. Pour this over the rice mixture.
Garnish:
Garnish with extra sesame seeds, grated coconut, and banana slices.
Serve:
Your Makar Chaula is ready to be served. It's a delightful dish enjoyed during Makar Sankranti.
Makar Chaula symbolizes the harvest season with the use of freshly harvested rice and the sweetness of jaggery. Feel free to adjust the quantities of ingredients based on your taste preferences. Enjoy this traditional dish as part of your Makar Sankranti celebrations!
