Chhena gaja () is a sweet dish from
Odisha
Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...
, India. Unlike some other popular
chhena-based Odia desserts, such as
rasagola
Rasgulla, also known as rasagola, rosogola or rosogolla, is a syrupy dessert popular in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light sugar syrup made of su ...
, which have spread throughout India, the chhena gaja remains largely popular within the state itself.
Although the ingredients of chhena gaja are essentially the same as that of
rasagolla
Rasgulla, also known as rasagola, rosogola or rosogolla, is a syrupy dessert popular in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light sugar syrup made of su ...
and
chhena poda, the dishes are very different in taste.
One of the best places to savor chhena gajas is Pahala, near
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar (; ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Odisha. The region, especially the old town, was historically often depicted as ''Ekamra Kshetra'' (area (''kshetra'') adorned with mango trees (''ekamra'')). Bhubaneswar is ...
.
However, chhena gaja is equally popular all over Odisha.
Preparation
Chhena gajas are prepared by combining
chhena, similar to
cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a curdled milk product with a mild flavor and a creamy, non-homogeneous, soupy texture. It is made from skimmed milk by draining the cheese, as opposed to pressing it to make cheese curd—retaining some of the whey and keeping ...
, and
sooji (semolina), and kneading the dough thoroughly. Water is squeezed out from the mixture, which is then dried briefly until it acquires the right consistency. It is then molded into palm-sized rectangular shapes (gajas), boiled in thick sugar syrup. Sometimes, the gajas are then allowed to dry a little more, in which case the sugar may occasionally crystallize on the surface.
See also
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Chhena jalebi
Chhena jalebi, Chhena jilapi, Chhanar jilipi is a sweet dish originally from coastal Odisha in eastern India, a state known for desserts made of chhena. Its popularity has spread beyond coastal Odisha, West Bengal and other Eastern regions of t ...
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Chhena kheeri
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Chhena poda
*
Khira sagara
Khira sagara ( or, କ୍ଷୀର ସାଗର) is an Odia sweet dish that literally translates to ''ocean of milk'' in the Odia language. The sweet has depiction in the Hindu mythological scripture about Lakshmi serving Vishnu and Madhusudana w ...
*
Rasabali
Rasabali (, IAST: rasābaḷi) is a sweet dish from Odisha, India. Rasabali is offered to Baladevjew, and originated in the Baladevjew Temple of Kendrapara. It is one of the Chapana bhoga of Jagannath temple.
It consists of deep fried flattene ...
*
Rasagolla
Rasgulla, also known as rasagola, rosogola or rosogolla, is a syrupy dessert popular in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light sugar syrup made of su ...
*
List of cheese dishes
This is a list of notable cheese dishes in which cheese is used as a primary ingredient or as a significant component of a dish or a food. Cheese is a food derived from milk that is produced in a wide range of flavors, textures, and forms by coa ...
*
References
External links
www.odisharasagola.com
{{Indian Dishes
Indian cheese dishes
Indian desserts
Odia cuisine