Food : Litti Chokha - How this popular Bihari delicacy is made

 

**Litti Chokha** is a traditional and popular dish in the regions of Bihar and Jharkhand. It consists of two main components: Litti, which are wheat flour balls stuffed with spiced gram flour (sattu), and Chokha, a flavorful mashed vegetable side dish. Here's how it is typically prepared:

**Ingredients for Litti:**

1. Wheat flour

2. Sattu (roasted gram flour)

3. Ajwain (carom seeds)

4. Salt

5. Ghee (clarified butter)

**Ingredients for Chokha:**

1. Brinjal (eggplant)

2. Tomato

3. Onion

4. Garlic

5. Green chilies

6. Mustard oil

7. Salt

8. Coriander leaves (optional)

**Procedure:**

**For Litti:**

1. Mix wheat flour, ajwain, a pinch of salt, and ghee in a bowl.

2. Gradually add water and knead the mixture into a stiff dough.

3. In a separate bowl, mix sattu with salt, chopped green chilies, and a bit of mustard oil.

4. Make small balls of the wheat flour dough and stuff each ball with the sattu mixture.

5. Roll the stuffed balls into smooth littis.

**For Chokha:**

1. Roast the brinjal and tomatoes until their skin is charred. You can do this on an open flame or in an oven.

2. Peel off the charred skin and mash the roasted brinjal and tomatoes.

3. Finely chop onions, garlic, and green chilies.

4. Mix the chopped ingredients with the mashed brinjal and tomatoes.

5. Add salt, mustard oil, and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.

**For Cooking:**

1. Littis can be roasted on an open flame or baked until they turn golden brown.

2. Serve hot littis with chokha on the side.

This wholesome dish showcases the regional flavors and is often enjoyed with a dollop of ghee. It's not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that reflects the cultural richness of the region.