A cup of Assam Tea

  Indian weddings encompass many beautiful ceremonies and traditions. In Assamese culture, Jurun is a pre-wedding ceremony. It usually occurs a day or two before the wedding day, sometimes even on the same day of the wedding. A tradition where the groom’s family, especially women, visit the bride's family to present the wedding trousseau (Mekhela chadar), jewelry, some makeup, and accessories. In my belief, a tradition that welcomes the bride to her new family with gifts, love, and blessings.  On the day of Jurun, Aam Dali godha (A stringed mango leaf) is a tradition and is tied over the door. It is believed that it will ward off all bad energy and bring good luck to the newlyweds. Usually, jurun happens in the morning or before noon. The goom does not accompany the group. Before going to the bride's home, the groom and his family get blessings from the people who gather for the jurun. Another tradition associated with Jurun is filling two small bell metal vases (called l...

There are days when my taste buds ask for something rustic, rugged, totally country style, something that brings that nostalgic flavor, more precisely, brings me to our home kitchen in Assam, my grandma's kitchen, my mama's kitchen. Yup, sesame chicken is in my mind. My Assamese taste buds are so amicable with till or sesame seeds; name a festival or staple cooking time, and it is a desirable ingredient. I love that in today's new age, healthy cooking promotes and incorporates seed-eating, especially sesame, for numerous health benefits, which I was fortunate enough to grow up eating. Once you taste this exotic dish with its rustic and nutty flavor, you will definitely try it again. Today I am sharing my recipe.. Have you tried Assamese Chicken Curry . Ingredients 2 lb chicken cut into medium-sized pieces with bone 5 tablespoons of till or sesame 3 tablespoons mustard oil or olive oil, you can use any other cooking oil too but I love to use thick oil as...

      My both sets of grandparents have never eaten chicken rather they enjoyed Fish curry  or fish. The chicken was almost an alien for my families past generations. In Assam, about 30/35 years back older people instead of chicken rather ate duck, mutton or fish . That says chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in Assamese cuisine. But eating chicken is a quintessential part of modern Assamese family. As a kid, I remember waiting for Sunday lunches for chicken curry. The aroma of cooking chicken-filled up our home and us picky eaters can't wait to have our lunch. While growing up we only got one day holiday in the week, Sunday. Usually, everyone is at home and my mom painstakingly cooks the best and exquisite dishes to the table. And along with other specialties, the chicken was the fulcrum attraction. And happiness was eating chicken curry on Sundays.       As I told earlier, chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in assam...

I heard the buzz and rave reviews of Zoonskaya from my family and friends in Sivasagar  When we visited Sivasagar  in our recent Assam trip I wanted to visit Zoonskaya. Sadly the night was already occupied as they are supposed to have a wedding party and I had no choice but to visit for lunch. A few miles from the hustle of the city, Zonnskaya is nested in a most gorgeous natural setting encompass with pond, trees, fields and emerged into modern esthetics.         I thank my stars for coming for lunch, as I was awed by the beautiful vistas in the daylight. A stunning, open-air space with a fireplace feels like one gorgeous restaurant, but if you step outside, which you eventually will, the wonder awaits you: a beautiful pond with green mountains on the horizon, offering a Caribbean resort-like experience in Assamese aesthetics.  I was amused by the morals on the walls and cherry on top, the tree of mango to jackfruit, fe...

       The Great River, the Brahmaputra, holds immense significance in Assam and for the people of Assam. It's not just a river, but the lifeline of the Assamese people, an inspiration, a source of love, and, most importantly, the leading water resource.        If you want to see and know a city, you must visit the river, whether the Seine in France or the Hudson in Newyork. This time, when I visited Guwahati, my brother suggested taking the Alfresco Grand Cruise in Guwahati. I instantly agreed, and it turned out to be one of the most amazing river cruises.        As I mentioned earlier, the Brahmaputra has a huge significance in an Assamese life and so does in my life. I have seen the Brahmaputra since my birth, sometimes as flooded and the most destructive and sometimes as serene and placid. I have taken a few ferry rides as well but never a cruise.        We booked the cruise a...

      Hello everyone, a big hello from Assam my homeland. After moving to the United States, this is the 1st time I have visited Assam in the summer. Honestly, it’s unbearably hot and humid. Thankfully, we get showers in between and that makes things a bit better. Yes, we live closest to the state where the height rainfall is recorded.  Rain makes everything fresh and new, the earth, trees, and flowers and even the hearts. Well, want to make it short and sweet and give you guys a visual delight of the flora and fauna of Assam in summer. Enjoy 💕.  Part 1  here