Odia Recipes That Help You ‘Chill Out’

Odia Recipes That Help You ‘Chill Out’

As if Odisha's summers weren't already notorious for their heat and humidity, this year seems to have taken things up a notch. The sweltering temperatures and relentless humidity have left us all feeling the heat more intensely than ever before. In this scorching hot summer of 2024, finding ways to stay cool and hydrated has become a necessity. In the pursuit of discovering natural coolants to beat the heat, My City Links set out on a journey where we explore some refreshing recipes and traditional remedies that help us combat the intense heat and stay cool in Odisha's scorching summers. And to aid us with the same we talked with food expert Barnali Rath, owner of the YouTube channel ‘The Kitchen Script’. In this article, Barnali shares with us a range of known and lesser-known recipes that help keep us cool during Odisha's summers. Known for her culinary expertise and innovative cooking methods, Barnali delves into traditional recipes and modern twists alike, offering insights into the ingredients and techniques that make these dishes effective in combating the intense heat of Odisha's summers. From refreshing beverages to cooling salads and soothing teas, Barnali shares it all.

Bhaja Masala

Who knew Bhaja Masala would be a part of this list? Barnali shares, “Apart from being a flavorful spice mix, this is also a recipe for cooling down the body.I use equal parts of fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds, along with a couple of dried red chilies according to taste. I roast each of these ingredients separately until they release their aroma, then let them cool before grinding them into a fine powder. In Odisha, we also use a special ingredient called ‘jeera lanka gunda’, which is a powder roasted cumin seeds and red chilies. To this mix, you can add coriander seeds and fennel seeds for more flavor. This bhaja masala can be used in various ways—it enhances the taste of curries, serves as a topping, or acts as a garnish for salads and other dishes. The four main ingredients—fennel, coriander, cumin, and red chilies—are excellent coolants. People tend to think that red chilies heat up the body but on the contrary, they actually have a cooling effect. In regions like Rajasthan, where temperatures are hot and dry, people consume a lot of chilies. Cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds also help in cooling the body.”

CCF Tea
 

Adding to the benefits of Fennel and Cumin seeds, Barnali shared, “Another brilliant way to enjoy the benefits of saunf, jeera, and dhania is by making CCF tea, also known as Cumin-Coriander-Fennel tea. This was recommended to me by a nutritionist friend, and although I don't drink it regularly, I've found it to be helpful when I have tried it. Take equal parts of saunf, cumin, and coriander seeds, let's say 1 teaspoon each, and boil them in about 1 and a half glasses of water. Allow it to simmer until it reduces to 1 glass of water. You can then cool it down or enjoy it as a hot tea. You have the option to add honey, mishri (rock sugar), or simply have it as is. Adding a dash of lime juice can also enhance its flavor, making it similar to green tea. This tea is excellent for soothing the stomach and promoting digestive health.”

Dhaniya Pudina Chutney

Barnali told us how Dhaniya (Coriander) and Pudina (Mint) are also coolants. She also told us about her Dhaniya-Pudina chutney and was kind enough to share her recipe with us. She said, “Here's how I make a refreshing dhaniya pudina chutney, perfect for cooling down the body: Start by taking a handful of mint leaves and fresh coriander. Add a one-inch piece of mango ginger (ambakasi ada), along with a green chili for a bit of spice. Sprinkle in some black salt for its unique taste, add a dash of lime juice, and a pinch of regular salt. Grind everything into a smooth paste. This chutney stays good for seven to ten days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. Enjoy it with your meals, use it in sandwiches, or as a side dip with salads. It's a great way to keep your body temperature in check during the hot weather.”

Ghee

Just when we thought the list couldn't get more interesting, Barnali mentioned the benefits of Ghee during summers! “I'm going to share something I learned from a nutritionist I worked with—the benefits of incorporating ghee into your diet. This has recently been doing rounds on the internet as well, with many celebrities talking about it. Instead of using it in cooking, this tip involves consuming half a teaspoon of good quality ghee with a cup of warm water first thing in the morning. You have a couple of options: you can either consume the ghee followed by warm water, or mix them together and drink it like your morning chai or coffee. This practice forms a protective lining in the stomach, which helps alleviate issues like acidity, bloating, and water retention, particularly in the summer months. It's a simple yet effective way to support digestive health and overall well-being,” she shared.

Onion-Cucumber-Tomato Salad

In the summer, incorporating raw onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes into your diet is not only common but also highly beneficial. Barnali shares, “These vegetables have high water content, making them excellent choices for cooling down the body. In Odisha, it's ingrained in our culture to include raw onions as a side dish with meals. While some may not enjoy them, they are known to have a cooling effect on the stomach and the body overall. Chopping up these vegetables into a salad with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt is a simple yet nutritious way to enjoy them. You can also add pepper or other spices according to your taste preferences. This basic salad is not only cooling but also packed with essential nutrients.”

Seasonal & Local Veggies

Were you also bothered by your parents' constant “Eat your vegetables!”? Well, of course they were on to something.  “It's always recommended to eat seasonal and local produce, and during the summers, we're fortunate to have a variety of vegetables that are both local and in season. Some examples include pumpkin, bottle gourd (lau), ridge gourd (janhi), and bitter gourd (karela). These vegetables can be used in mixed vegetable sabzis or cooked individually. Not only do they help in cooling down the body, but they also provide essential fiber and nutrients that are particularly beneficial in hot weather. While I'm not providing individual recipes for these vegetables, their preparation is generally well-known and can be easily found,” shared Barnali.
 

Fruits & Juices

Barnali also talked about some fruits and fruit juices which are excellent for the summers. Firstly, let's start with Akhuraso, also known as Sugarcane Juice. It's incredibly refreshing and hydrating. Then, there's Watermelon, which is packed with water and helps to cool down the body. Nariyal Pani, or coconut water, is another popular choice that effectively lowers body temperature. Mangoes, Lychees, Bananas, and Muskmelons are all in season and provide a delicious way to stay cool. For drinks, Nimbupani (Lemonade) or Shikanji is fantastic for regulating body temperature. Jaljeera, made with cumin seeds, is also a cooling option. She added, “Saunf (Fennel seeds) and Mishri (Rock sugar) infused in Nimbupani or water is a traditional remedy for keeping the stomach cool. You can also make a dry saunf powder and add it to your drinks for a cooling effect. Another well-known drink is Thandai, often enjoyed during the beginning of summer or during festivals like Holi. It's specifically designed to cool down the body and combat the heat.”

Tanka Torani

To add to the list of Drinks, Barnali mentioned one traditional drink that we have in Odisha; Tanka Torani. “It's commonly made and is a part of the Jagannath Puri cuisine. It can be prepared very easily. Start by taking a bit of rice and mashing it before soaking it in a few glasses of water along with a couple of spoons of ghee. Let this mixture ferment for a while. Next, add some mint leaves, bruised lemon leaves, coriander leaves, and green chilies to the fermented water. Allow these flavors to infuse for some time. Just before serving, add a tadka (tempering) of cumin seeds, curry leaves, and a couple of dried red chilies to enhance the flavor. Mix well and serve chilled. Tanka Torani is incredibly refreshing, especially during the summer months.”

Dahi Ghola

A drink loved by Odias, Dahi Ghola or buttermilk, known as chhaanch in Hindi, is an amazing drink to cool down your system. Although there are many ways of making it, Barnali shares how she does it.  “I take a bit of ginger and one green chili, adjusting the spice level to taste. I put them in the mixer and pulse them a couple of times until they're granulated. Then, I add yogurt, a pinch of salt, a bit of roasted cumin powder, and chilled water. When serving, I strain it and garnish with mint leaves and cilantro. This drink not only helps to keep your system satiated for a while but also effectively cools down the body temperature,” she shared.

Pakhala

Of course, we were going to talk about Pakhala. Barnali shared, “Pakhala is that fermented rice water dish famous in Odisha, and now it's gaining popularity in other places as well. It has versions in nearby states and even some neighboring countries. The Odia way of making it is quite simple: you cook rice, add plenty of water to it, and then leave it overnight for fermentation, especially during the scorching summers when it ferments rapidly. By morning, you'll notice tiny bubbles on top, indicating that the fermentation process is complete. To enjoy it, you can simply add a dash of lemon and a bit of salt. For Dahi Pakhala, you mix in yogurt and perhaps a sprinkle of mustard seeds and curry leaves. Some people like to enhance it further with dried chilies, fresh onions, cucumber, or other ingredients. The options are endless. Once the pakhala is fermented, it becomes the perfect cooling agent. You can have it as is or with various additions, but it's the fermented pakhala that truly aids in cooling down the body.”