Recipe - Delicious And Nutritious Dal Pitha From The Bihari Cuisine

Dal Pitha is a popular dish from Bihar that is both delicious and nutritious. Made with lentils, wheat flour, and a few simple ingredients, this dish is a staple in Bihari cuisine. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making authentic Dal Pitha at home.

Ingredients

For the dough:

2 cups whole wheat flour
Water (as required)

For the filling:

1 cup chana dal (split bengal gram)
1 onion (finely chopped)
2 green chilies (finely chopped)
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
Salt (to taste)
Oil (for frying)

Method

- To make the dough, mix the whole wheat flour with water in a bowl to form a firm dough. Cover it and keep it aside for at least 20 minutes.

- To make the filling, wash and soak the chana dal for 30 minutes. Drain the water and grind it in a mixer to form a coarse paste.

- Heat a pan and add oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Then add onions, green chilies, and ginger paste. Saute until the onions turn translucent.

- Add the chana dal paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is dry. Keep it aside to cool.

- Divide the dough into small portions and roll them into thin circles. Spoon some of the chana dal mixture onto one half of the circle, leaving some space around the edges. Fold the other half of the circle over the filling and press the edges to seal.

- Heat a pan and add some oil. Once hot, add the stuffed pithas and fry until they are golden brown on both sides.

- Serve hot with tomato chutney or any other dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips:

- You can add other spices such as fennel seeds, cinnamon, or bay leaves to the filling for added flavor.
- Be sure to roll the dough thin enough to ensure that the pithas cook evenly.
- Leftover dal pithas can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in a microwave or on a pan.