Bihar is a beautiful and also famous state. Its language and people are also very famous. Politically it is a state which is often discussed. It is the place where the roots of civilisation have been found, and that is the reason why it is believed to be the land of sacred soil that produced the first crop ever.
Beyond the significance in history, the agriculturally rich state is famous for the treasured and most authentic recipes. Litti Chokha is the regional dish of Bihar. It is its pride. The traditional recipe of Litti is as old as the Magadha Kingdom that has gained popularity due to its good shelf life and the technique of preparation which requires fewer resources. Healthy and rich in protein, Litti is a smoky flavoured ball of wheat, filled with Sattu that is roasted on a coal fire. It is served with Chokha as an accompaniment that is the preparation of boiled potatoes and grilled eggplant. Litti Chokha is not only famous for its nutritional value but also for its incredibly delicious taste.
Litti Chokha together forms a really brilliant combo consisting of varied flavours and textures. An original recipe for any chokha will have the main vegetable (brinjal, potato or tomato) being roasted or boiled.
Later mashed with other ingredients like onion, garlic, green chilies, coriander leaves, salt, lemon juice and a generous quantity of mustard oil.
For the stuffing of the Litti, sattu or roasted black chickpea flour is the primary ingredient. If you don’t have it at home, then use roasted chana dal without husk and grind it. Then, sift the flour and use it for this Litti Recipe.
Ingredients for Litti:
*whole wheat flour (atta)
*salt
*Ghee or oil
*water
Stuffing:
*Roasted black chickpea flour
*cumin seeds
*Fennel seeds (saunf, aniseeds)
*Carom seeds (ajwain, bishops weed)
*Nigella seeds (kalonji)
*Red chilli powder
*Green chilies
*Ginger – finely chopped
*Garlic – finely chopped
*Coriander leaves
*Lemon juice, mustard oil and water
Preparing Litti:
*In a mixing bowl, take the whole wheat flour and salt. Also add ghee or oil.
*Now add water in parts and knead to a smooth soft dough
*Knead till smooth and soft. Cover the dough and keep aside to rest for 20 minutes.
Making Stuffing:
*Take the cumin seeds and fennel seeds. Lightly crush them and keep aside.
*Take the sattu or roasted black chickpea flour in a mixing bowl or pan.
*Add the slightly crushed cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
*Next add carom seeds, nigella seeds, red chilli powder, chopped green chilies, finely chopped ginger and garlic, chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice.
*Sprinkle Water all over and mix the flour with water evenly. Do add more water if required.
*After 30 minutes, now make small or medium sized balls from the dough.
*Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the stuffing in the centre
*Pleat and then join the edges. Press the joined part and lightly roll the stuffed dough balls
*Now place the stuffing.
Gently bring together the outer dough cover in the centre, while pressing the stuffing. Join and then seal the edges.
*Keep the prepared Littis under a cotton towel or napkin, so that the dough does not dry out.
Baking Litti:
*Heat oven first. Place the Littis in a preheated oven.
*After 10 to 15 minutes of baking, remove the tray and flip each litti.
*Again after 10 to 15 minutes, remove the baking tray and flip each litti. Place the tray back in the oven. This has to be done once or twice more for even baking of littis.
*Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or till the crust looks done with some light brown or golden brown spots on them.
*Brush the Littis with some melted ghee all over. Serve these Bihari style Litti with Aloo chokha.
Making Aloo Chokha:
*First boil or steam medium potatoes adding water as needed till they are thoroughly cooked.
*You can steam them in a pan or electric rice cooker or pressure cooker
*Allow them to become warm.
*When the potatoes become warm, peel and mash them.
*Add finely chopped onions, chopped green chilies, finely chopped garlic, mustard oil and lemon juice.
*Mix very well. Check the taste and add more salt, lemon juice or green chilies if required. Serve with Litti.