How to Make Litti – A Traditional Delicacy from Bihar

Come aboard and join us on this gastronomic adventure into Bihar, India, as we find our way through the cultural favorite- and tasty dish known as “Litti.” This savory snack is taken to new heights in Bihari cuisine. We shall walk you through making it inside your kitchen in this blog. So, put on your aprons, and let’s dive into the world of Litti!

What is Litti? Litti is a staple food prepared in Bihar consisting of crispy flour balls stuffed inside with yummy roasted gram-flour-paste seasoned inside. Basically, it goes along really well as a dish and is made with chokha-gravy-a preparation with an invariable accompaniment which is the recipe for smoky roasted aubergine, a spicy tangy tomato soup and crumbled potatoes and boiled mash. The food item perfectly blends the delight of being savored down to several generations.

Ingredients: For the Litti:

• 2 cups wheat flour
• 1 cup roasted gram flour (sattu)
• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
• 1 teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Water (for kneading the dough)

For the Chokha:

• 2 medium-sized eggplants
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes
• 2 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 1 medium-sized onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
• 1 tablespoon mustard oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

Step 1: Making the Litti Dough

1. In a mixing bowl combine wheat flour, ghee, carom seeds, nigella seeds, and salt.
2. Slowly add water and knead them well to get a tight smooth dough. Keep it under wet cloth and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the Stuffing

1. Mix roasted gram flour with a pinch of salt in it, adding some water. It must hold itself when pressed; make a semi-dry stuffing mixture.

Step 3: Shaping the Litti

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) or prepare a barbecue grill.
2. Roll out small lemon-sized balls.
3. Flatten each ball and place a spoonful of the stuffing in the center.
4. Gently seal the dough, ensuring that the stuffing is completely covered.

Step 4: Roasting the Litti

1. Place the stuffed litti on a baking tray or right on the barbecue grill.
2. Cook them until they are browned and crispy at the outside. Turn them so that they cook evenly.

Step 5: Preparing the Chokha

1. Roast the eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes on an open flame or in the oven until they turn charred and well cooked from the inside.
2. Scrape off the roasted vegetable’s skin and mash it all together in a bowl.
3. Add chopped green chilies, onions, crushed garlic, mustard oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together very well.

Step 6: Serving Litti

1. Take the roasted Litti from the heat and serve sizzling hot with the taste of chokha in it.
2. Chokha: Garnished with fresh coriander leaves for more freshness.