Maharashtrian Recipe - Pithla

Pithla is very famous recipe among maharashtrians from Maharashtra,India.

Pithla is made of chickpeas flour (chane ka atta or besan) spiced with green chillies. You can eat Pithla with chapatis (flatbread), parathas (thick flatbread) or bajra (Pearl millet) ka roti.

For making Pithla you will need 15 ingredients easily available in nearby grocery shops, preparation method is of 16 steps.

Be ready with following ingredient to make Pithla Recipe

• Chickpea Flour (Besan) – 6 Tbsp.
• Oil – 2 Tbsp, divided.
• Mustard (raayi) Seeds – 1/2 tsp.
• Cumin (jeera) Seeds – 1/2 tsp.
• Curry (kadi patta) Leaves – few.
• Asafoetida (hing) – 1/4 tsp (divided).
• Onions (pyaas) – 1 medium, finely chopped.
• Garlic (lehsun) – 6 cloves, finely chopped.
• Green Chilies (hari mirch) – to taste, finely chopped.
• Roasted Cumin (jeera)/Coriander (dhania) Powder – 2 tsp.
• Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp or to taste.
• Turmeric (haldi) Powder – 1/4 tsp.
• Tomatoes (tamatar) – 2 medium, chopped.
• Cilantro (Coriander (dhania)) – 5 sprigs, finely chopped.
• Water – 2 cups.
• Lime/Lemon Juice – 1 Tbsp or to taste.
• Salt – to taste.
   

Follow step by step  method to prepare Pithla Recipe

1. In a medium pan, heat 1 tbsp (of the 2 tbsp) Oil.
2. Add in the Chickpea Flour and roast till it gets a wonderful aroma.
3. Remove from flame and transfer to another bowl.
4. In the same pan, heat the balance of the Oil (1 tbsp).
5. Once hot, add Mustard Seeds, allow them to pop.
6. Add in Cumin Seeds and let them splutter.
7. Add in Asafoetida (1/8th tsp), Curry Leaves, Onions, Garlic and Green Chillies, in that order and mix well.
8. Cook till the Onions are translucent.
9. Lower heat and add in dry spices – Roasted Cumin and Coriander powder, Red Chilli Powder and Turmeric Powder.
10. Cook them for a minute.
11. Add in the roasted Chickpea Flour, cook for 2 minutes
12. Add in Tomatoes, Cilantro and Water (little at a time).
13. Mix well so there are no lumps and it forms a gravy.
14. Add in Salt and Lime/Lemon Juice to taste.
15. Allow it to come to a boil.
16. Add in the balance of the Asafoetida and mix well.

Serve hot with Chapatis, Bhakri or Bajra Roti.

Time taken to prepare is 30min
Quantity sufficient for 4 adults