Cuisine: Spicy Chila Pitha (Jhal Chila Pithe)- How to prepare this Indian Bengali item

 

Jhal Chila Pitha is a popular Bengali savoury pancake, light yet flavourful, prepared with rice flour and simple spices. It is especially enjoyed as a quick breakfast or evening snack. Crisp on the outside and soft inside, this dish is easy to make and requires very few ingredients.

Ingredients

2 cups rice flour

½ teaspoon salt

5 green chillies (ground)

3 onions (ground)

Finely chopped coriander leaves – to taste

½ teaspoon ginger–garlic paste

Oil – as required

1 egg

Water – as needed to make a thin batter

Food colour – a pinch (optional)

Method

If using soaked rice paste instead of rice flour, soak the rice balls in water for about 2 hours before preparing the batter.

In a bowl, combine rice flour, salt, ground green chillies, ground onions, chopped coriander leaves, ginger–garlic paste, and egg. Mix well and gradually add water to prepare a thin, smooth batter. For a better colour, a little food colour may be added (optional).

Heat a frying pan and spread about 1 teaspoon of oil evenly over it. Take the batter in your hand and sprinkle it evenly over the hot pan. Immediately cover the pan and cook on medium heat for less than a minute.

Once the rawness disappears and the edges start lifting from the pan, gently fold the chila using a spatula into a triangular shape, just like a traditional chila.

Prepare the remaining chila pithas in the same way and serve hot.

A simple yet delicious Bengali delicacy, best enjoyed fresh off the pan.