Saturday, July 31, 2010

Summer feast with Pakhala Bhata

Sorry guys for disappearing for ages... As everyone would have figured out, I am not the most organized person here. So though I love challenges, and new stories/opportunities, they do throw my schedule completely haywire. Suddenly got an opportunity to go Japan for work. Didn't think before saying yes... Of course craziness started after that. All the preparation at work for the trip was keeping me tied up and then home front was busier. Leaving the 2 kids home with MIL was a challenge. I was leaving home without the kids for the 1st time in 9 yrs and it was very different routine for everyone. I think it was toughest on my older one, my little one was happy with extra TV time and pizza for any meals he chose!

After coming back, there have been other challenges. My MIL had to go meet some relatives and in the mean while, nanny decided to quit. It was craziness at it peak. Finally last Sunday, after we found a nanny and MIL came back, she prepared this pakhala feast for me. This meal was the perfect meal to ground me and bring me back home. A meal to be enjoyed over good conversation at leisure. Pakhala bhata is a day old rice soaked in water with some water, yogurt, salt and green chilies. If you don't have yogurt, substitute with  lemon or use both lemon and yogurt.  It is favored by everyone in Orissa, especially in Summer.

So here is my pakhala bhata with a whole plate full of side dishes. This is how pakhala is enjoyed with several side dishes like Badi chura, Bhaja Santula, Pickles, Aloo Bharta. Make sure crush the green chilies in the rice and water and enjoy! Only thing missing was the fish fry, which usually accompanies a bowl of pakhala. And after eating such a meal, you need a sound round of siesta! So enjoy this feast and see you back soon!

And enjoy some pictures from Tokyo.....








43 comments:

  1. Dear Somoo
    Nice to see you back and enjoyed reading your challenges. Clicks are very nice. Will be in Japan in September.
    The whole summer I enjoyed " Bashi pakhala ( fermented one) and dahi pakhala , but the biggest thing was, your santula and BaDi chura to go with the pakhala.
    Have a nice weekend and Bhala thiba
    P.S. I can make good arisha now ( Thanks)

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  2. Welcome back! The pictures are breath-taking and the foodie clicks are superb!

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  3. nice to see u back, i know how tough it is to leave 2 kids and go out. Really u missed ur home and the traditional dish is gives a nice feel for u after a long time

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  4. Wow what a visual treat. I would love to have some...:)

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  5. Hey welcome back , its really nice to see u back cos missed ur post which i always enjoy. Learnt many traditional oriya food from here.

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  6. hi somoo,
    tume kemithi aucho...mothe pokhalo bahut bhalo lage ...actually i spent from childhood to to college in cuttack (orissa)..so very close to oriya culture n oriya food too ..i simply love it ...after finding ur blog i was just waiting for ur return...happy to c u back .. happy friendship day dear..
    if u get time do visit my blog

    Satya
    http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

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  7. I love panta bhat too. but never had this dahi pakhala. seems nice. loved your badi chuda...my fav accompaniment with panta.
    hope by now you have settled down nicely. loved your Japan pix. especially the platter with so many colourful things. happy friendship day dear.

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  8. one of my favorites from childhood, when we did not have fridge, mom will add water to the night's rice and we will enjoy this for next day's lunch.

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  9. thanks guys... glad you liked it... It is super yummy! Favorite food for summer afternoons.
    Happy Friendship day everyone!

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  10. First time here and just love the recipes you have......

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  11. Nice one! Even I had a pakhala post sometime back! Am getting back to blog-hopping and hopefully will soon be back to blogging as well..LOL! You have got a beautiful blog here..look fwd to keep in touch. Keep up the good work! Btw, Ohayo Gozaimash! :) Yeah, do know a bit of Japanese from one of my Japanese client consulting days! :D

    Hugs!

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  12. Wish you a Happy Friendship Day.
    Very nice, wonderful and delicious recipe. You have presented very nicely and looks tempting.

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  13. @akila - hope to see you back!
    @Pragyan - only thing I remember is konnichiwa! Looking forward to some yummy recipes!
    @Babli - thanks for the sweet words.

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  14. Nice post,thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  15. Japan huh? awesome girl..what did u buy for ur kids?and this meal looks so comforting

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  16. New recipe to me....Iam also back....nice to know that u had nice time out there...

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  17. Thanks Guys!
    Shubha- I bought my kids lovely kimono and yukata... Not sure if they will ever wear it !

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  18. Hi Somoo, tough times but so glad that u sailed well, it's a good learning for kids too.
    This is the best coolant dish to have in summer, keeps body cool.
    FOODELICIOUS

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  19. Welcome back..beautiful pics...

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  20. So you back safe and sound after your trip! :)
    It must have been a good experience to travel to a new place... the pictures all look good.
    Those are some really big blocks of tofu!

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  21. @anu - those tofu were the best I have ever tasted. So soft and creamy!
    @Pari - thanks. yes perfect for summer.
    @gulmohar - thanks!

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  22. Very nice, inovative and healthy dish. Looks delicious and tempting. I appreciate for your wonderful presentation.

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  23. hi!! the pics make my mouth water,nothing like a bowl of pakhala with macha bhaja in summer...

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  24. Good to c u back dear.Hope u had a gr8 time in japan..nice pics :)

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  25. Hey somoo, chanced upon your blog while surfing the web..loving your space with so many yummy dishes..i book marked some, have to go through some more.. loved your aloo chokha n curd rice
    pakhala bhat looks so comforting..
    will b visiting often
    do drop in at my space sometime..
    take care
    aipi
    http://usmasala.blogspot.com/

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  26. Welcome back dear. My comfort food too. In TN they make a rice like this , we add some finely chopped also along with what you add:)
    Lovely spread ...much filling.

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  27. @Viki - thanks... Do you add chopped ginger ?

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  28. Pakhala bhaat is my fav..just chanced upon ur blog..lovely!!

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  29. heard a lot about Pokharo bhaato from Oriya friends and colleagues...now will surely make it... looks yummy with all its accompaniments :)

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  30. mote pakhala bhata khayibaku bohut bhala lage..... i miss pakhala bhata... mu pila dine mora gaa re bohul pakhala bhata khau thaye...... pakhala bhata sahita sukuaa bahja khayibaku bhari maja lage......

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