Assam, a state in the northeastern region of India, is renowned for its rich and diverse cuisine. Assamese cuisine is a combination of flavours and ingredients that are unique to the region. One of the staple dishes in Assam is Poita Bhaat and Aloo Pitika.
Assam is a state with a rich food culture, and the cuisine of the region is heavily influenced by its geography, climate, and history. The state is blessed with fertile land, abundant water resources, and a variety of flora and fauna, which have all contributed to the diverse range of ingredients used in Assamese cuisine.
Assamese cuisine is known for its simplicity and the use of fresh, natural ingredients. The dishes are often cooked in mustard oil, which is a common ingredient in the region. Assamese cuisine also makes use of herbs and spices such as ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek, which give the dishes their unique flavour.
The cuisine of Assam is also influenced by the different communities that live in the state. Each community has its own unique dishes and cooking techniques, which have all helped to shape the cuisine of the region but there are some staples loved across the state and poita bhat with aloo pitika for breakfast is surely one of them.
Assamese Poita bhat is a very humble breakfast dish and is especially loved during the summer for its cooling properties and comforting flavours. Poita Bhaat is a dish made of leftover rice that is soaked overnight in water and eaten the next day. The rice is traditionally served cold and mixed with mustard oil, salt, and sometimes a dash of lime juice.
Aloo Pitika, on the other hand, is a mashed potato dish that is mixed with mustard oil, onions, green chillies, and salt. This dish is commonly served as a side dish with Poita Bhaat, but it can also be eaten with other main courses such as dal, fish curry, or meat dishes.
A slight variation of this dish is also quite prevalent in other Indian states, such as "Pakhal Bhat" in Odisha and "Panta Bhat" in West Bengal. Poita Bhat is an excellent coolant during the hot summer months and is also a natural remedy for mild acidity and stomach upsets.
Poita Bhat is a dish that epitomizes the pure, unadulterated essence of the cuisine. This dish, which appears to be a forgotten Assamese recipe, is a quintessential breakfast meal consisting of fermented rice mixed with curd and green chillies. Poita Bhat and pitika is a dish that was particularly popular among farmers and is often referred to as 'Simple Man's Food.' but is now a foundation in every home.