Litti Chokha for SNC Challenge

Litti Chokha is a traditional dish mostly prepared and had in U.P, Bihar and Jharkand. I've never been to these places nor had a chance to taste their food. Thanks to the SNC event started by Divya of You too can cook. Without it, I would not be able to explore the traditional recipes like this. Each month a member of South Team would host and challenge a recipe to the north team and vice versa; the theme of SNC. 

Litti Chokha is made out of wheat flour with stuffing (or Pithi) made out of Sattu (roasted Bengal Gram Flour). When I served this to my Hus telling the name 'Litti Chokha', he asked what nethi chuttiya (an ornament worn in the forehead) ? But after eating he said its really nice and something very different from our regular food. He said he feels like eating in sowcarpet area of chennai. North Indians mostly live there. Thanks Nupur for the detailed recipe, without your step by step clicks, it would be very difficult for me to understand the recipe itself. I just used regular Bengal Gram Flour, but to know about the exact preparation of Sattu, please check out Nupur's space.

I tried making Litti through deep frying method. The flavor and the taste was awesome but few of the pieces didn't get cooked well. So I again tried this using oven. This time it came out well cooked. But when I was about to start, I noticed I was running out of Baking Soda. So I made the recipe without it; thus looks little flattened. Never mind, I like it and it is worth trying. 

Ingredients:

Litti:

Wheat Flour 1 cup
Ajwain seeds 1/4 tsp
Baking Soda 1/8 tsp
Warm Water 1/2 cup
Ghee 1 tblsp and additional Ghee for serving

Pithi/Stuffing:

Sattu 1/4 cup (I used roasted gram flour)
Chopped Coriander Leaves 1/4 cup
Green Chilly 1 (finely chopped)
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Finely chopped Ginger 1/2 tsp
Ajwain seeds 1/4 tsp
Mustard Oil 3/4 tbslp
Pickle 3/4 tbslp

Chokha:

Potatoes (Medium) 2
Garlic Cloves 2
Tomato half
Onion (Small) 1
Green Chilly 1 (finely chopped)
Finely chopped Ginger 1/2 tsp
Coriander Leaves Few
Mustard Oil 1 tsp
Salt

To prepare dough for Litti:

Mix all the ingredients except water. Now add water to form a soft dough. Cover and set it aside for half an hour.

To make Chokha (Stuffing):

Pressure cook Potatoes for three whistles. Peel the skin and mash it. 

Meanwhile, roast garlic and Tomato on the gas flame. Once cooled, remove the skin and mash it with spoon. 

In a bowl,combine mashed potatoes, tomato and garlic. Add all other ingredients along with salt. Mix well. 

To shape and cook Litti:

Divide the dough into medium sized balls. With a rolling pin, roll it like a small chapathi without adding additional flour. 

Take a tblsp of the stuffing, put in the center of the dough piece, wrap it and close from all sides. Pinch off the extra piece. Press it gently to flatten.

Preheat the Oven at 200 deg C. Place all the pieces in a baking tray. Allow baking for 30-35 minutes. Flip them for 2-3 times in between for even cooking.

Serving:

Break Litti at the center. Drop little Ghee so that it reaches both the Chokha and the stuffing. Serve with Chokha and/or chutney.

Linking this recipe to SNC this month hosted by Nupur.