MAKAR SANKRANTI#BHAPA PULI PITHA/STEAMED PITHA/BENGALI STYLE PITHA

 

My previous blog was about sweets of Bengal made of nolen gur ,khejur gur. During “MAKAR 

SANKRANTI” we are busy to make different pithas, these are actually rice flour dumplings which is 

filled with coconut jaggery mix as stuffing. There is no English translation for “PITHA”.I think so. 

There are different variations in pithas in different regions. Bengalis make Bhapa pitha, Mug Samli , 

Dudh Puli, Chosir payesh and so many.

We celebrate “MAKAR SANKRANTI” by making pithas and set ghot (fill with paddy) (this is done a day before makar sankranti) in front of Goddess. We draw alponas on threshold and lock door rings with hay. Actually this is a ritual in Bengal villages. I cook three different pitha recipes during three days .I learnt it from my mother.

Today I am sharing steamed pitha( bhapa pitha) with you all.

THE INGREDIENTS ARE FOR 10 PITHAS:

FOR STUFFINGS:1) Desiccated coconut – 3 cups

2) Jaggery (khejur gur patali)-100 gram

FOR PITHAS:

Rice (boiled) flour -200 grams

Ghee( deshi)- 1 tablespoon

HOW TO PREPARE:

STUFFING: Mix desiccated coconut with jaggary (patali) and cook in karai. Take 5 to 7 minutes to cook properly.

When the mixture become free from the boy of karai then our stuffings is ready.

FOR PITHA: Boil water in a pan.Take a bowl with 200grams rice flour in it.Add 1 table spoon deshi ghee.Pour 

boiled water in rice flour slowly, knead and make the dough.Keep aside for only 5 minutes.

 

Make separate balls from dough and keep in plate. Make smooth ball with the help of your palm. Now make it 

like a small bowl to put stuffing in it. Give a shape as half moon and cover it .With a spoon give an impression on it.

Now in a karai pour water to boil .Place a utensil with many holes in it place on karai .When water start

 to boil place pithas on it and keep a lid on karai. Give 8 to 10 minutes to cook on one side, open the lid 

and turn all pithas on opposite sides to cook properly. Now give another 5 minutes to cook. Take out all

 pithas from karai. 

Enjoy hot steamed rice dumplings with liquid jaggery. “BHAPA PITHA” with khejur gur bears a 

heavenly happiness; you taste it and have it.Enjoy with your family members.

THANK YOU.