A traditional Bihar dish known for its rustic flavors and nutritional content is litti chokha. Chokha, a mashed vegetable side dish made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes, is served alongside litti, which are whole wheat dough balls filled with spiced sattu. A mainstay of Bihari cooking, this dish embodies warmth, simplicity, and a rich culinary legacy.
This is a comprehensive recipe for making Litti Chokha the Bihari way.
Litti Chokha Ingredients
| Litti Dough | Sattu Filling | Chokha |
|---|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour – 2 cups | Sattu (roasted gram flour) – 1 cup, Onion – 1 small (finely chopped) | Eggplant (brinjal) – 1 large, Green chilies – 2-3 (finely chopped) |
| Ghee – 2 tablespoons (for mixing) | Mustard oil – 2 tablespoons, Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon | Tomatoes – 2 medium, Onion – 1 small (finely chopped) |
| Salt – ½ teaspoon | Garlic – 4-5 cloves (finely chopped), Ajwain (carom seeds) – ½ teaspoon | Potatoes – 2 medium (boiled and peeled), Fresh coriander leaves – 2 tablespoons (chopped) |
| Water – as needed (for kneading) | Ginger – 1-inch piece (grated), Kalonji (nigella seeds) – ½ teaspoon (optional) | Mustard oil – 1 tablespoon, Salt – to taste |
| Ghee – as required (for brushing and serving) | Green chilies – 2-3 (finely chopped), Fresh coriander leaves – 2 tablespoons (chopped) | Garlic – 4-5 cloves (roasted and mashed), Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon |
Litti Chokha Recipe
Preparation Steps – 1. Preparing the Dough for Litti
– Put the whole wheat flour and salt in a big mixing bowl.
– Mix thoroughly until the mixture takes on the consistency of breadcrumbs after adding 2 tablespoons of ghee.
– Add water little by little and knead until the dough is smooth and soft.
– Let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes after covering it with a moist cloth.
2. Sattu Filling
– Put the sattu, mustard oil, grated ginger, chopped garlic, green chilies, and onion in a mixing bowl.
– Add the lemon juice, salt, chopped coriander leaves, kalonji, and ajwain.
– Stir thoroughly. The mixture should be crumbly but just a little wet. Add more mustard oil or a teaspoon of water if it’s too dry.
3. Litti Shape and Filling
– Make eight to ten equal-sized balls out of the dough.
– Using your palms, flatten one ball into a disc.
– In the center, put one or two tablespoons of the sattu filling.
– To seal the filling and form it into a smooth ball, bring the edges together.
– Continue with the remaining filling and dough.
4. Litti
Traditional Method (Charcoal Fire)- Set the litti over hot charcoal on a grill. To ensure even cooking, turn the litti often until the outside becomes crisp and charred.
Method in the Oven- Set the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F). To ensure even cooking, place the litti on a baking tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating them halfway through.
Stovetop Method- Cook the litti over low heat in a heavy-bottomed pan or tawa, turning frequently to ensure even cooking.
When finished, liberally brush the litti with ghee.
5. Chokha Recipe
Roasting Vegetables, Until the skins of the eggplant and tomatoes are soft and charred, roast them directly over an open flame or in an oven. After cooling, remove the burned skin.
In a bowl, mash the tomatoes and roasted eggplant.
Mash the boiled potatoes well after adding them to the mixture.
Add the chopped onion, coriander leaves, mustard oil, lemon juice, salt, roasted garlic, and green chilies.
Season to taste.
6. Serving
Drizzle a generous amount of ghee over the hot litti.
Serve alongside chokha for a full, tasty meal.
Tips for Perfect Litti Chokha
Roasting Advice, For a smoky taste in the chokha, make sure the eggplant and tomatoes are thoroughly roasted.
Modifying the Filling, The sattu filling should have a good taste without being too dry. If necessary, add extra lemon juice or mustard oil.
Cooking Litti, Use a charcoal fire to cook litti for the best texture. Turn them frequently to ensure even cooking if you’re using an oven or tawa.
Serving Tip, For extra flavor, always serve litti with ghee.
Litti Chokha
Enjoy this wholesome and earthy dish that brings the authentic flavors of Bihar to your plate.