PITLA

 

'Pitla-Bhakri' - heard of it? Yes - if you've been in Maharashtra! 'Pitla' is a very popular Maharashtrian dish – try this out when you have run out of vegetables! It tastes great with ‘bhakri’ and also with chapathi.

Preparation time - 10 minutes

Cooking time – 15 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients –

Besan (Bengal gram flour) – 1 cup

Onion – 2 medium sized ones – finely chopped

Green chillies – 4 – finely chopped

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

Red chilli powder – 1 tsp

Coriander-cumin powder – 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Asafetida – ¼ tsp

Curry leaves - 10

Oil – 4 tbsp

Water – about 3-3 ½ cups

Chopped coriander leaves – 4 tbsp

Method –

Make a thin batter of besan and water.

Add turmeric, red chilli, coriander-cumin powders, and salt and mix well.

Heat 4 tbsp oil in a kadhai and add mustard and cumin seeds. When they spluter, add asafetida.

Add chopped onions and fry till transluscent.

Add chopped green chillies and fry for a minute.

Add curry leaves.

Add the besan batter and keep stirring on low fire till besan gets cooked (for about 8-10 minutes).

Add a little water if required as the besan has to get cooked.

Turn off the heat when the water has dried up.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Leave it open for some time.

Serve hot with ‘bhakri’ or chapathi.

Tips –

This can also be made in the liquid form by adding more water and can be served with hot rice.

© Copyright 2011. Brinda Balasubramonian.