Assamese cuisine The 'poitabhat' preparation is sometimes made alcoholic according to preference. Side dishes called "pitika - পিটিকা" (mashes) is a signature characteristic of this cuisine. The most popular is "aloo pitika - আলু পিটিকা" (mashed potatoes) garnished with raw onions, mustard oil, green chillies and sometimes boiled eggs. "Khorisa tenga" is mashed fermented bamboo shoot, sometimes pickled in mustard oil and spices. "Kharoli" is fermented mashed mustard ("Brassica campestris" var. toria) seed to which a "khar" has been added, and "kahudi" to which an acidic agent (lemon juice, dried mangosteen) has been added. "Pitika"s are also made from roasted or steamed
Indian cuisine another popular cooking medium. Butter-based ghee, or "deshi ghee", is used frequently, though less than in the past. Many types of meat are used for Indian cooking, but chicken and mutton tend to be the most commonly consumed meats. Fish and beef consumption are prevalent in some parts of India, but they are not widely consumed except for coastal areas, as well as the north east. The most important and frequently used spices and flavourings in Indian cuisine are whole or powdered chilli pepper ("mirch", introduced by the Portuguese from Mexico in the 16th century), black mustard seed ("sarso"), cardamom