Litti Chokha – A Shudh Desi (Ghee) Romance!

 

 

Litti Chokha

 

 

Picture Courtesy:    whatmommcooks

 

 

"Litti Chokha", a name synonymous to the state of Bihar, is also popular to its neighboring states of Jharkhand and UP. As the name suggests, it is two different dishes. It is now available throughout India because of the migrant workers of Bihar, who brought in one of their staples to the already varied melting pot of dishes in India.

 

 

The story behind it

 

    It is believed that this iconic dish was invented in the Magadha Empire during the rule of Chandragupta Maurya. it was a staple food during that time because as it was full of carbohydrates, protein, and easily available. it was mostly eaten by soldiers and farmers. Another reason was could stay fresh for a considerable number of days. Soldiers use to carry it along with them if they had to make long journeys. According to other historical surveys, there was a mention of sun-baked wheat chunks as early as the Magadha Empire when Ibn Batuta (world explorer) visited India.

 

 

Core element

 

    Originally, it was made of whole-wheat flour and stuffed with sattu(also known as Bengal gram). It’s baked over a low fire of cow dung. Cooking and serving of Litti is very important to realize the actual taste of this dish. In the modern-day and age, a new fried version has been developed. It requires very few ingredients and water to make the Litti. It has great health benefits too as it's baked, not fried. After the Mughals came to India, they added onions & other herbs to it and gave it a new taste. In modern times, Litti is dipped into desi ghee before serving which has its own health benefits & is usually served with Chokha (Bharta made of eggplant, tomato, and potato). It is also served with chicken & mutton nowadays, to open up to a non-vegetarian palette.

 

 

Fun facts

  • Litti is quite similar to Rajasthan's famous dish "Dal Batti Churma" which looks similar to litti, but is very different, in taste, texture, and presentation.
  • Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India (1950 to 1962) was said to have had litti-chokha in almost every meal.
  • There are few top restaurants like 'The Litti King', 'Litti Express', 'Litti inbox' in Kolkata who serves some delicious litti chokha.
  • There is a roadside shop called, "Sankar Litti Chokha" near Bara Bazar who serves some authentic litti chokha at a really low price. It will give you pure street foodwala vide.

 

 

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