How to Make Tawa Litti

If you’re a fan of the delectable Bihari dish “Litti,” get ready to savor a quick and convenient version – Tawa Litti! This adaptation brings the same flavors and aroma of the traditional dish but skips the oven or barbecue grill. With just a tawa (griddle) and a few basic ingredients, you can whip up these scrumptious wheat flour balls stuffed with savory sattu filling. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making Tawa Litti and treat your taste buds to this lip-smacking delight.

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 Tawa Litti:

• 1 tablespoon oil or ghee (for cooking)
• Stuffed Litti balls (from the above recipe)
• A sprinkle of water

For serving:

• Chokha (optional but highly recommended; recipe included below)

Instructions:

Step 1: Making the Litti Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, ghee, carom seeds, nigella seeds, and salt.
2. Gradually add water and knead the ingredients to form a firm and smooth dough.
3. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set it aside for 20-30 minutes to rest.

Step 2: Preparing the Stuffing

1. In a separate bowl, mix the roasted gram flour (sattu) with a pinch of salt and add some water to make a semi-dry stuffing mixture. It should hold together when pressed.

Step 3: Shaping the Litti

1. Take a portion of the dough and form small lemon-sized balls with your palms.
2. Flatten each ball and place a spoonful of the stuffing in the center.
3. Carefully seal the dough, ensuring the stuffing is enclosed entirely.

Step 4: Cooking Tawa Litti

1. Heat a tawa or griddle on medium heat and spread a tablespoon of oil or ghee on it.
2. Place the stuffed Litti on the tawa and cook them on low to medium heat.
3. Turn them occasionally and cook until they develop a golden-brown crust on all sides.
4. To ensure even cooking, sprinkle a few drops of water on the Litti and cover the tawa with a lid for a minute.

Step 5: Serving Tawa Litti

1. Once the Tawa Litti is cooked to perfection, remove them from the heat and serve them hot.
2. For an authentic experience, pair the Tawa Litti with the traditional chokha (recipe below) and enjoy the delightful explosion of flavors.

Bonus: How to Make Chokha: Chokha is the perfect accompaniment to Tawa Litti and adds an extra punch of taste to the meal.

Ingredients for 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 for Chokha:

1. Roast the eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes over an open flame or in the oven until they are charred and cooked from the inside.
2. Peel the skin off the roasted vegetables and mash them together in a bowl.
3. Add chopped green chilies, onions, crushed garlic, mustard oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly.
4. Garnish the chokha with fresh coriander leaves.