Litti Chokha is a traditional dish from Bihar, India, consisting of roasted wheat flour balls stuffed with a flavorful mix of roasted gram flour (sattu) and spices (litti). It’s served with a spicy and smoky mashed vegetable mix made from roasted tomatoes, eggplant, onions, and spices (chokha). This rustic dish offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, showcasing the essence of Bihari cuisine.
Here’s a detailed recipe to make this delicious dish:
Ingredients:
For Litti:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (atta)
- 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
- 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
- 1/4 cup ghee or oil
- Salt to taste
- Water (as needed)
For Filling:
- 1 cup roasted gram flour (sattu)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon kalonji (nigella seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Water (as needed)
For Chokha:
- 3-4 medium-sized boiled potatoes
- 2-3 roasted tomatoes
- 1 roasted eggplant (baingan)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon mustard oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
For Litti:
- Prepare Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, gram flour, carom seeds, nigella seeds, ghee or oil, and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add water and knead the mixture into a firm dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Make Filling:
- In a bowl, mix roasted gram flour (sattu), chopped onion, green chilies, coriander leaves, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, ajwain, kalonji, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Add a little water at a time and mix until the filling holds together when pressed. Set aside.
- Prepare Litti:
- Divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls. Flatten each ball and place a spoonful of the prepared filling in the center.
- Carefully seal the edges and shape it back into a ball. Flatten slightly, ensuring the filling stays intact. Prepare all the littis similarly.
- Cook Litti:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) or heat a grill or tandoor. Place the stuffed littis on a baking tray or directly on the grill.
- Bake or grill them, turning occasionally until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. If using an oven, brush them with ghee or oil for added flavor.
For Chokha:
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Roast the tomatoes and eggplant directly on a flame or in the oven until they are charred and cooked from the inside. Peel off the skin and mash them together in a bowl.
- Make Chokha:
- Add chopped onion, green chilies, coriander leaves, mustard oil, lemon juice, and salt to the mashed tomato-eggplant mix.
- Mix everything together thoroughly.
Serve Litti Chokha:
- Serve the hot littis with the flavorful chokha. Traditionally, litti chokha is served with a dollop of ghee on top.
- Enjoy the combination of the smoky, spicy chokha with the delicious stuffed littis.
This dish brings together flavors and textures that make it a beloved part of Bihari cuisine. Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.
