Litti Chokha is an appetizer from the state of Bihar made with stuffed whole wheat dough balls with roasted chana dal and spices inside. These stuffed balls are known as Litties are usually roasted over charcoal but can also be baked. Litties are served with Chokha. Chokha is a dip prepared with mashing potato, tomato or eggplant with spices, but at my home it was always served with Dal Tadka.This recipe will make 8 litties.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Ingredients
Dough
1cupwhole wheat flourchapatti atta
2Tbspgheeclarified butter
1/2tspsalt
cupAbout 1/3 lukewarm water
Filling
3/4cupsattuflour of roasted chana dal, available in Indian grocery stores
1/2tspsaltadjust to taste
1/8tspasafetidahing
1/8tspturmerichaldi
1/2tspred chili powder
1tspmango powderamchoor
1tspgrated ginger
1Tbspgreen chilifinely chopped, adjust to taste
1tspgheeclarified butter
1/4cupwaterapproximately
Potato, and Tomato Chokha
1cupmedium size potatoboiled peeled and roughly mashed
2medium size tomatoroasted peeled and mashed, I have roasted them over the skillet
1tspsalt
Spices we will use half and half to make both Potato and Tomato Chokha
1/4tspblack pepper
1tsplemon juicejust for Potato Chokha
2tspgrated ginger
2Tbspfinely chopped green chilies
2Tbspfinely chopped cilantro
2Tbspolive oil or mustard oilI prefer olive oil
2Tbspghee or clarified butter for serving the Litties.
Instructions
For Tomato Chokha
To prepare the Tomato Chokha add the spices to mashed tomatoes about 1/2 tsp salt, pinch of black pepper, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1 Tbsp green chili. 1 Tbsp cilantro and 1 Tbsp of oil mix it together. Tomato Chokha is ready set aside.
For Potato Chokha
Add all the remaining spices with mashed potatoes, salt, pinch of black pepper, lemon juice, ginger, cilantro and oil, mix it well. Potato Chokha is ready, set aside.
To Make Dough
Mix the flour, salt and ghee. Add water slowly to make dough. Dough should be firm but do not knead the dough. Cover the dough and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes.
Filling
Mix all the ingredients together except water, sattu, salt, asafetida, turmeric, red chili powder, mango powder, ginger, green chili, and ghee, now add little water to make firm dough, dough will be little crumbly.
Making Litti
Pre-heat the oven at 400 degree Fahrenheit. I am using a toaster oven or you can also use oven.
Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll them into balls. They will not be very smooth dough ball. Also, divide the filling in 8 parts filling should be little smaller then dough balls.
Roll the dough balls into 3-inch circle. Place one part of the filling in the center of each rolled dough, and pull the edges of the dough to wrap the filling. Proceed to make all 8 balls. Grease your palms and roll the filled balls gently between your palms.
Arrange the litties over greased baking sheet about one inch apart and place in toaster oven, for 10-12 minutes, turn them over and bake again for 10-12 minutes. Litties should be golden brown all around.
Serving
need about 2 Tbsp ghee or clarified butter for serving the Litties.
Notes
I like to eat these Litties with Dal Tadka and Potato or Tomato Chokha.