Chhena Gaja
Encyclopedia
Chhena Gaja is a sweet dish from Orissa
, India. Unlike some other popular chhena
-based Oriya desserts, such as Rasagolla, 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 and Chhenna Poda
, the dishes could not differ more in taste.
One of the best places to savor Chhena Gajas is Pahala, a small town near Bhubaneswar
. However, Chhena Gaja is equally popular all over Orissa.
, similar to cottage cheese, 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, and deep fried in oil. The fried gajas are coated with a sugary syrup before being served. Sometimes, the gajas are then allowed to dry a little more, in which case the sugar may occasionally crystallize on in the surface.
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, India. Unlike some other popular chhena
Chhena
Chhena or Oriya: ଛେନା ) or Chhana is fresh, unripened curd cheese widely used in India and Bangladesh. A crumbly and moist form of farmers cheese or paneer, it is used to make desserts such as rasgulla. It is created in a similar process to paneer except it is not pressed for as long...
-based Oriya desserts, such as Rasagolla, 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 and Chhenna Poda
Chhenna Poda
Chhena poda is the quintessential cheese dessert from the state of Orissa in eastern India. Chhena poda literally means burnt cheese in Oriya. It is made of well-kneaded homemade cottage cheese or chhena, sugar, cashew nuts and raisins, and is baked for several hours until it browns...
, the dishes could not differ more in taste.
One of the best places to savor Chhena Gajas is Pahala, a small town near Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
. However, Chhena Gaja is equally popular all over Orissa.
Preparation
Chhena gajas are prepared by combining chhenaChhena
Chhena or Oriya: ଛେନା ) or Chhana is fresh, unripened curd cheese widely used in India and Bangladesh. A crumbly and moist form of farmers cheese or paneer, it is used to make desserts such as rasgulla. It is created in a similar process to paneer except it is not pressed for as long...
, similar to cottage cheese, 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, and deep fried in oil. The fried gajas are coated with a sugary syrup before being served. Sometimes, the gajas are then allowed to dry a little more, in which case the sugar may occasionally crystallize on in the surface.
See also
- RasabaliRasabaliRasaabali Oriya:ରସାବଳି is a sweet dish from Orissa, India. Unlike some other popular Oriya desserts, such as rasagolla which have spread throughout India through Bengal, the popularity of rasabali remains largely confined within Orissa...
- Rasagolla
- Chhena Poda
- KheersagarKheersagarKheersagar is a popular Oriya sweet dish that literally translates to Oceans of Milk in the Oriya language. The dish is very popular in coastal Orissa.-Preparation:...
- Chhena JalebiChhena jalebiChhena jalebi is a sweet dish originally from coastal Orissa in eastern India, a state known for desserts made of chhena. Its popularity has spread beyond coastal Orissa.-Preparation:...
- Chhena KheeriChhena KheeriChhena Kheeri is a sweet dish originally from coastal Orissa in eastern India, a state known for desserts made of chhena. The popularity of this dish is spreading to other parts of Orissa, as well as neighboring states.-Preparation:...