Onla (Bodo rice-paste curry)
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A Bodo curry thickened with ground rice, cooked with chicken or vegetables and flavoured with ginger and green chilli.
Region: Assam (Bodo community)Occasion: Everyday and festive mealsTime: 45 minServes: 4Non-vegetarian
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken, cut into small pieces
- 3 tbsp rice, soaked 30 minutes and ground to a paste (onla)
- 1 tbsp ginger, crushed
- 3–4 green chillies, crushed
- 2 cups seasonal greens or bamboo shoot (optional)
- A little khardwi (alkali water) or a pinch of soda (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups water
Method
- Boil the chicken with salt, ginger and chillies until nearly cooked.
- Add the greens or bamboo shoot, if using.
- Mix the rice paste with a little water and pour it in slowly, stirring all the time so it does not form lumps.
- Add the khardwi if using, and simmer until the curry is thick and creamy, about 10 minutes.
- Serve hot with rice.
History
Onla is one of the best-known dishes of the Bodo people, who cook with little oil and use rice paste to thicken their curries.
Significance
Onla is a comforting family dish and is cooked during Bwisagu and other Bodo festivals.