Litti Chokha is a traditional dish from Bihar. I came across this dish in a Lucknow fair where a stall got my attention which was decorated with garlands of big brinjals. To my surprise a baati like thing was served with baingan ka bharta. As it was a strange combination I had to try it and you know what it really works!
The baingan ka bharta is more like a salad. Its process is similar to babaganoush. The litti is stuffed with sattu flour made from roasted bengal gram dal and wheat grains. The mustard oil is added to the bharta which gives a different angle to this dish. At times the Litti Chokha is served with spicy coriander chutney for people who prefer extra spice.
I generally prepare this dish on winter Sundays for breakfast. Traditionally littis are baked in tandoor or deep fried. I deep fry the littis or cook them on barbeque. I have also tried baking them which also works out fine. Litti is dipped in melted ghee or clarified butter before serving. For the best taste I would suggest not to skip this step. When you feel like having something different you should try this dish.
Recipe for Baked Litti Chokha
Ingredients for Litti dough (yields 10 littis)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp carom seeds
- 2 tbsp ghee or clarified butter
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Ingredients for Stuffing
- 1 cup sattu (flour made from roasted bengal gram and wheat grains)
- 1 tbsp pickle spices
- 2 green chillies (finely chopped)
- Salt to taste
Ingredients for Chokha
- ½ kg brinjal
- 2 green chillies (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger (finely chopped)
- ½ cup coriander leaves (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 2 tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- Salt to taste
How to make Dough
Sieve flour and baking soda in a big mixing bowl.
Add carom seeds, ghee and salt. Mix well.
Knead to make a soft dough using water as required. Keep aside for half an hour.
How to make Stuffing
Transfer all the ingredients for stuffing in a mixing bowl and mix well.
Add 1 or 2 tsp of water. Mix again to form a crumbly mixture.
How to make Chokha
Grease the brinjals with oil. Roast on gas burner turning occasionally. When the brinjals are soft fron inside and the skin is totally black remove from fire. Keep aside for 5 minutes.
Roughly chop the brinjal and mash in a bowl. Add other ingredients and salt. Mix well. Add mustard oil and mix again.
Chokha is ready.
How to make Litti
Divide the dough in 10 equal portions.
Take a portion. Shape into a bowl. Put 2 tsp of stuffing into it. Bring together the edges to seal and form a ball. Lightly flatten between the palms. Similarly prepare rest of the littis.
The littis can be deep fried.
Also it can be baked in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 25 minutes.
Dip the litti in melted ghee before serving or brush with melted ghee.
Serve hot with Chokha.
Tips
- The pickle spices from can be used or you can even add the available pickle at your home.
- Litti tastes best when baked on barbeque, in tandoor or in oven.
- Littis should be dipped in ghee for the real taste. If you are worried about the calorie count then just brush the littis with ghee.
- Onions in Chokha are optional.
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