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Bikrampurer Bibikhana Pitha

January 9, 2017 By Maumita Paul 10 Comments

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Bibikhana PithaPin

Grandma sat on a cane mora, her back to the gorgeous winter sunshine, instructing Didi how to prepare the Bibikhana Pitha.
She was frail now, Maa did not appreciate her spending long hours in the smoke and grime of the kitchen. But cooking was Grandma’s passion and the ancient kitchen her favorite refuge in the house (of course barring her thakurghor). It was almost infeasible to keep her off cooking.

Didi, in Grandma’s company, had herself graduated to more than an accomplished cook. And she had prepared the Bibikhana Pitha many many times. But that didn’t detract Grandma from repeating every step. In fact she relished doing this.
Did you pound the rice, the one I had set aside in the morning, to just the right consistency ? Grandma prods Didi.
Didi nods in approval.
And, did you remember to dry roast the rice flour ?
Added a pinch of salt ? And just a touch of cracked black pepper ?
Didi maintains her reticence, she loves Grandma and well-versed with her fussy fastidiousness.
Did you reduce the milk sufficiently ? You just don’t seem to have the patience, Grandma complains.
And don’t add the notun gur to the milk too soon. The last thing you want is the milk to curdle.
Didi smiles, the instructions, even the sequence, haven’t altered even a tiny bit in the last decade.

Bibikhana PithaPin

Suddenly Grandma slips into silence.
Chachi taught me how to make the Bibikhana Pitha. She recollects, after minutes of deafening silence. She loved me like her own daughter.

Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to snatches of emotional upheavals. Reminiscing more and more of her home in sylvan Sylhet.

Chachi was our neighbour. Born in Bikrampur near Dhaka. Married to a trader family in Sylhet. She brought with her to Sylhet the delectable Bibikhana Pitha from her home town. And every year she would lovingly welcome winter, the new harvest, the fragrant rice and the notun gur with her Bibikhana Pitha.

So here it is, the incredibly delicious Bibikhana Pitha. From Bikrampur in Bangladesh. A divine pudding of rice, milk and jaggery. Smells of the earth, redolent of the new harvest.

Bliss !!!Save

Save

Save

Bibikhana PithaPin

Bikrampurer Bibikhana Pitha

Bibikhana Pitha. From Bikrampur in Bangladesh. A divine pudding of rice, milk and jaggery. Smells of the earth, redolent of the new harvest. Bliss !!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Bangladeshi

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rice flour
  • 2 cups coconut freshly grated
  • 2 cups milk 1 lit milk reduced to 2 cups
  • 1 cup nolen gur or liquid date palm jaggery
  • 6 eggs whipped
  • 3/4 Cups ghee
  • 1/4 tsp green cardamom powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper coarsely ground
  • a pinch of salt
  • little ghee for greasing
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated coconut for garnish (optional)
  • 1 tbsp nolen gur or liquid date palm jaggery for drizzle (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C.
  • Dry roast the rice flour for 2-3 minutes. Allow the rice to release its aroma.
  • Add the roasted rice flour to a bowl. Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, mix well.
  • Add the beaten eggs and milk to the rice flour, mix well with a hand whisk.
  • Now add the grated coconut, jaggery, ghee and green cardamom powder. Whisk well till the coconut and jaggery got incorporated into the batter.
  • Grease a shallow heatproof bowl with ghee. Gently pour the batter into a bowl, bake for 25-30 odd minutes or till a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to rest in the oven for a further 15-20 minutes. Cool to room temperature and de-mould.
  • Garnish with freshly grated coconut and drizzle little bit of nolen gur. Serve.

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Filed Under: Bengali Recipes, Desserts Tagged With: Bangladeshi Ranna, Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Pitha Recipes, Bengali Pithe Puli, Bengali Pithe Recipes, Bengali Recipes, Bibikhana Pitha, Bikrampurer Bibikhana Pitha, Desserts, Food Photography, Indian Food Photography, Khejur gur, Liquid Date Palm Jaggery, Makar Sankranti, Makar Sankranti Pithe, Nalen gur, Nolen Gur, Opar Banglar Ranna, Patali gur, Pitha, Pitha Photography, Pitha Recipes, Pithe, Pithe Photography, Pithe Puli, Pithe Recipes, Poush Parbon, Puli, Puli pitha, Puli pithe, Sankranti, Sankranti special, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Traditional Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen

Previous Post: « Dal Pitha, Bihar Style (Rice Dumplings with a Spicy Dal Stuffing)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Z

    January 12, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Thank you for a beautiful recipe. Can this be made vegetarian? What would be a good substitute for eggs?

    Reply
    • Maumita Paul

      January 14, 2020 at 6:44 am

      Well, I have never tried it without eggs.

      Reply
  2. Anubhav

    January 14, 2019 at 11:12 am

    I love the way you write! Its so calming to read your stories. Love the recipe of this pudding.im sure it tastes delicious with such simple and beautiful ingredients !

    Reply
    • Maumita Paul

      January 14, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks for stopping by and your kind words Anubhav

      Reply
  3. Maumita Paul

    January 11, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    @Priyakshi Thanks a ton lady.

    Reply
  4. Priyakshi

    January 10, 2017 at 11:45 am

    You truly have a way with words Maumita! Thank you for transporting us to another world through your lucid storytelling!

    Reply
  5. Anuradha

    January 9, 2017 at 9:55 am

    I love how how weave in the story with every preparation and that’s what makes me love each of your dishes so much more … Also, I love your presentation … It’s so personal, makes it all so real … Keep writing and keep enriching us with the fantastic stories as well as the recipes along with them … Anuradha

    Reply
    • Maumita Paul

      January 9, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      @Anuradha That surely made my day 🙂 Thanks a ton 🙂

      Reply
  6. Rama

    January 9, 2017 at 6:35 am

    Food has no boundaries !!! Liked your write up a lot . thanks For sharing

    Reply
    • Maumita Paul

      January 9, 2017 at 5:55 pm

      @Rama Thanks a lot 🙂

      Reply

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Recipe Rating




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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
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Maumita Paul
Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to my heart. 

One of those days when I miss Grandma dearly and yearn to return to childhood and relish all the delectable pithe puli she would make !!! 
Happy Sankranti everyone !!!

On the plate 
Khejur Gurer Patishapta, Doodhpuli, Teler Pitha, Nolen Gurer Payesh and Soru Chakuli.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
New blog post ❤️ And every year, around Sankr New blog post ❤️

And every year, around Sankranthi, the chitoi pithe moulds make a magical re-appearance from the hidden vaults of the windowless sunlight-starved and perennially musty and damp bhnaarar ghor (pantry), illuminated by a lone naked incandescent bulb, before being dusted, scrubbed, soaked, dried and then used in vehement anger for the Sankranti festivities, only to disappear once the euphoria of the harvest festival subsides.
A use and throw culture has still not invaded our lives and the fact that this rather inexpensive non-descript humble artifact is used on just a couple of occasions around Sankranti every year makes not an iota of difference to the magnanimous love and care it receives.
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To read more and try this recipe of Doodh Chitoi , direct link is there in bio. 
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen i Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen is in manic frenzy this morning steaming some stunning Bhapa Pitha. 

I have always preferred freshly ground rice flour to store-bought ones. And my hand-free 1400w hamiltonbeach JMG ensured the rice was ground to fine flour, just as I wanted it, in a blink .
(Also do check the coarse, medium and fine grinding options available which gives us such luxury of choice -  I opted for the fine option for the rice flour)

And  here’s my recipe for the quintessential Bengali Bhapa Pitha / Assamese Keteli Pitha. 
Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain from water. 
Allow the rice to dry over a newspaper or muslin cloth to drain any excess water. 
Use your Hamiltonbeach JMG to blitz the rice to a fine powder.
Transfer the rice flour to a bowl, add a pinch of salt, mix well.
Splash a little water to the rice flour, start mixing with your hand. The texture of the dough should be crumbly and just damp enough. Splash water in small increments, we don’t want a wet batter here.
Sieve the moist flour .
Take a kettle, fill it half with water and bring to a boil.
Wrap the lid of the kettle with a damp muslin cloth.
Spread a layer of the rice flour uniformly over the cloth.
Add 1 tsp of freshly grated coconut on the rice flour, followed by 1 tsp of chopped jaggery And finish it with another layer of rice flour. Press gently, take care to not press it too hard.
Wrap with another piece of moist muslin, put the lid back on over the boiling water.
Steam for 10-12 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid from the kettle. 
Gently remove the outer muslin cloth. Use a sharp knife along the edges of the lid to un-mould the pitha..
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#BigBoxOfLove

#SayToHelloPerfection #ProResultsAtHome #HamiltonBeachIndia #CookLikeAPro #fbciofficial

@hamiltonbeachindia, @fbciofficial @grainandgrowth .
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #glutenfree #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #sankranti
The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is s The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is sheer magic – Pillowy rice flour parcels with a tiny morsel of patali hidden in the center. Stewed in milk perfumed with even more patali gur.
Have a bite, Grandma coaxes.
And the molten patali bursts out of the shackles of the rice flour cocoon.
The fragrance of patali and the perfume of rice leave my palate enthralled.
I take another bite.
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If you want to try this , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced han Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced hands effortlessly remove the pithe from the oil and immerse them in the jaggery syrup, but even before Maa can warn me, I have snatched one and bitten into the gokul pithe.
My tongue is singed.
And for that odd moment, I am all numb.
Minutes, that feel like days, pass.
And then the taste sinks in, sublime, a mellifluous symphony of grated coconut and jaggery.
This is food heaven !!!
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Natorer Luchir Payesh!! A sandwich, if I can use t Natorer Luchir Payesh!!
A sandwich, if I can use the liberty of an analogy, of two luchis with a divine gurer kanchagolla filling in between. Fried to a gorgeous golden. And dipped into a notun gur perfumed payesh just before serving.
You do not want it soggy, Grandma would religiously remind Maa every time, that would ruin the fun of the dish.
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love for rice. Not just rice, any new harvest. Any fresh produce of the soil. Her soil. As she would proudly assert.
Wasting rice in our growing-up years was never an option. Not even a single grain. This is the labour of love. She would remind Dada and me whenever we fussed about food. This is the culmination of months of back-breaking labour. Respect the grain. Respect the farmer.

Cut to the present. My chire has just arrived. Ordered online and delivered at the doorstep by a logistics company. I am blissfully ignorant of what rice went in to prepare this chire. And the farmer shall remain an unacquainted stranger to me. As would his family who possibly helped as well.
Food has reduced, I ruminate, to being impersonal, hasnt it, the consumer and the producer separated by more degrees than my mind can decipher. The price I guess for the comforts of modern life.
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To read more and  try chirer doodpuli , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to sna Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to snatches of emotional upheavals. Reminiscing more and more of her home in sylvan Sylhet.
Chachi was our neighbour. Born in Bikrampur near Dhaka. Married to a trader family in Sylhet. She brought with her to Sylhet the delectable Bibikhana Pitha from her home town. And every year she would lovingly welcome winter, the new harvest, the fragrant rice and the notun gur with her Bibikhana Pitha.
So here it is, the incredibly delicious Bibikhana Pitha. From Bikrampur in Bangladesh. 
Bliss !!! 
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If you want to try this recipe , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #foodie #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #glutenfree #creatingmemories
Maa’s delectable Koi Komola. A riot on the pala Maa’s delectable Koi Komola. 
A riot on the palate. A throwback to all those weekends in Assam where koi was available aplenty during winters.
Enjoy before the orange season is over !!!

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Recipe link is there in bio.
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