Chhena Chakata is mashed cottage cheese sweet offered to Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra festival in the Puri temple of Odisha. It is part of chakata bhoga which is offered during special occasions like Rath Yatra festival. Chhena Chakata is prepared with freshly prepared cottage cheese mashed with banana, jaggery, spices and dry fruits like pistachios, raisins which are allowed in the Jagannath Temple Kitchen.
It really tastes so delicious and divine that it touches one’s soul. After I reveal the recipe of Chhena Chakata, you will see how healthy and nutritious a dessert can be!!
HOW TO MAKE RATH YATRA SPECIAL CHHENA CHAKATA (STEP BY STEP RECIPE)
- First of all, we have to prepare fresh Cottage Cheese called Chhena in Odia language. To prepare the Chhena, I have put to boil 500 ml of full fat Cow Milk. Once the milk comes to full boil, switch off the gas. Add freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon to split the milk. When the milk curdles, separate the whey and the chhena. Wash the Chhena with fresh water to remove the lime juice from the chhena which can turn the chhena or cottage cheese sour.
Do not throw the whey because its very nutritious and can be used in making rotis or flatbreads or in making curries.
2. Next, we will prepare a simple spice powder. For this, we will require :
- 1 tsp of Black Peppercorns
- 1 Black cardamom, take out the seeds of the Cardamom
Crush black peppercorns and cardamom seeds together into a coarse powder. Spice Powder for Chhena Chakata is ready.
3. Mash one banana and then add 2 tbsp of Jaggery to it and mash it further. Jaggery will melt and blend nicely with the banana. Next, add the prepared Chhena (Cottage Cheese) and spice powder. Add few chopped pistachios and raisins. Mix everything together and Chhena Chakata is ready.
4. Place the chhena chakata in a small bowl or clay pot. Garnish with some chopped pistachios and raisins. Place a Tulsi leaf and offer chhena chakata on rath yatra festival to the lord Jagannath. Jai Jagannath.
RATH YATRA SPECIAL CHHENA CHAKATA RECIPE VIDEO
