Anarsa

Summary

Anarsa or Hilsa is an Indian rice-based biscuit. It is commonly associated with the Hindu festival of Diwali in Maharashtra and Bihar, along with other special occasions.[1][2][3] Its ingredients include jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), rice, poppy seed and ghee (clarified butter).

Anarsa
CourseDessert
Place of originIndia
Region or stateBihar(Gaya), Maharashtra
Main ingredientsJaggery, rice, poppy seed, ghee
  •   Media: Anarsa

Preparation edit

Anarsas are made from soaked powdered rice, ground, and mixed with jaggery to create a dough which matures for 4-5 days and is then rolled in white poppy seeds, pressed into rounds, and fried.[2] The disks are fried poppy-coated side first.[4]

In a variation from the standard recipe, a banana is added to the rice flour base.[5] The Bihari variation of anarsa tends to be rounder and ball-shaped as opposed to the flatter one in Maharashtra.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Prasad, Lalita; Prasad, Ramakant; Upadhyay, Vijay S (1979). Changing dietary patterns and habits : a socio-cultural study of Bihar (first ed.). Concept. p. 42. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b O'Brien, Charmaine (2013). The Penguin Food Guide to India. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 9789351185758.
  3. ^ Pathak, Jyoti (2007). Taste of Nepal. Hippocrene Books. ISBN 9780781811217.
  4. ^ "Anarsa in India". India9.com. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. ^ Vikas Khanna (1 December 2012). My Great Indian Cookbook. ISBN 9788184757989. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  6. ^ Vikas Khanna (1 December 2012). My Great Indian Cookbook. ISBN 9788184757989. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2021.