Chhena Poda Diwas is a special day celebrated in Odisha to honor the delicious dessert Chhena Poda. This day commemorates the accidental invention of Chhena Poda by Sudarshan Sahu of Nayagarh, along with his father Bidyadhar Sahu. Sudarshan Sahu, born on April 11, 1931, created this iconic Odia delicacy while experimenting with leftover cottage cheese.
Chhena Poda is a unique dessert known for its caramelized flavor and texture, achieved by baking a mixture of chhena (cottage cheese), sugar, cardamom, and sometimes cashew nuts or raisins. The mixture is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and then baked until it acquires a golden-brown crust. The result is a deliciously sweet and slightly smoky treat that has become a favorite among Odia cuisine lovers.
Here's a simple recipe to make Chhena Poda at home:
Ingredients:
2 cups of freshly made chhena (cottage cheese)
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 tablespoons of semolina (sooji)
2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter)
A handful of chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, or pistachios) - optional
Banana leaves for wrapping (if available)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a mixing bowl, crumble the freshly made chhena until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Add sugar, cardamom powder, semolina, and ghee to the chhena mixture. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
If desired, add chopped nuts to the mixture for added texture and flavor.
Take a baking dish and line it with banana leaves. If banana leaves are not available, you can grease the baking dish with ghee or oil.
Pour the chhena mixture into the baking dish and spread it evenly.
Cover the baking dish with banana leaves, or if using foil, make a few holes to allow steam to escape.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Cut into desired shapes and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the delicious Chhena Poda!
This homemade Chhena Poda is sure to delight your taste buds with its rich, sweet, and smoky flavors, reminiscent of the authentic Odia dessert.
