Chhena poda

Chhena Poda is a traditional dessert from the Indian state of Odisha. The name Chhena Poda literally translates to roasted cheese in Odia language. It is made from well-kneaded homemade fresh chhena, sugar, cashew nuts and raisins, and is baked for several hours until it browns. Chhena Poda is the only well known Indian dessert whose flavor is predominantly derived from the caramelization of sugar.

History

Chhena Poda originated in the 1st half of the twentieth century in the Nayagarh district of Odisha. It was accidentally discovered by a confectioner named Sudarshana Sahoo. He decided to add a little sugar and seasonings to leftover chhena, wrapped it in sal leaves, and left it in an oven that was still warm from earlier use. The next day, he was pleasantly surprised to find out what a scrumptious dessert he had created.

Preparation

The preparation of Chhena Poda is quite time-consuming. First, the milk is boiled and a bit of vinegar or lemon juice is added to separate the whey. The resulting coagulated substance is the chhena. The chhena is then mixed with sugar and kneaded well. After that, dry fruits and cardamom powder are added to the mixture. The mixture is then poured into a baking tray which is baked at 180 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Cultural Significance

Chhena Poda is usually made during traditional festivals in Odisha, such as Raja Parba. It is also served at the end of traditional Odia meals. As a popular dessert, it is also made in West Bengal and other parts of India.

See Also

• Chhena Gaja
• Chhena Kheeri
• Chhena Jalebi