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Chitoi Pitha | Chitoi Pithe | Doodh Chitoi

January 13, 2021 By Maumita Paul Leave a Comment

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Chitoi PithaPin

What are those ? A curious me asks Didi, pointing to the soot-blackened earthenware that she, after minutes, that seemed like hours to me, of persistent scrubbing, has just immersed in a bucket of soapy water.
Why don’t you take a guess ? Didi responds. As she continues to fuss over the ebony earthenware, now playing bo-peep with the bubbles.
My vacant gaze prompts her to drop a hint. You remember, right, that Sankranthi is just round the corner ?
Aha, so something to do with pithe-puli then, I think aloud.
Yes, you are correct, Didi gives in, these are moulds to make chitoi pitha.

And every year, around Sankranthi, the chitoi pitha 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.

Chitoi PithaPin

Sankranti is still a week away, but Grandmas kitchen is already a cauldron of frenzied activity.
An uncanny silence greets me as I return from school to the seductive aroma of nolen gur wafting from the kitchen.
And there is Grandma, seated on her ancient pock-marked pnire, in front of the oonoon, the chitoi pitha moulds resting snugly on the tired fire.
She gives the batter a hearty stir and ladles spoonfuls into the cavities of the mould.
And then waits patiently for the rice cakes to cook to perfection.
Didi is seated next to Grandma, watching every step with rapt attention, a starry-eyed student mesmerised by the sublime mastery of the grandmaster over her trade.

Chitoi PithaPin
And now armed with a spoon and with a deft movement of her wrist, Grandma disengages the pitha from the mould.
I see my princess is back from school. Grandma now notices my presence in the kitchen.
Can I have one ? I plead.
I am making these for you, Grandma smiles, but you need to let them rest for a while to soak up all the delicious kheer.
I am in no mood to wait though, I just drop my satchel on the kitchen floor and look longingly at the chitoi pitha now ready to be taken off the flame.

Chitoi Pitha. Pillowy rice dumplings. The earthy sweetness of grated coconut. A generous drizzle of nolen gur. Soaked in languorously reduced milk, perfumed with more nolen gur.
This is food heaven !!!!

Chitoi PithaPin

Chitoi PithePin

Chitoi Pitha | Doodh Chitoi

Chitoi Pitha. Pillowy rice dumplings. The earthy sweetness of grated coconut. A generous drizzle of nolen gur. Soaked in languorously reduced milk, perfumed with more nolen gur. This is food heaven !!!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Bengali

Equipment

  • Chitoi Pitha Moulds

Ingredients
  

Chitoi Pithe

  • 1.5 cup gobindobhog rice
  • 1/2 cup coconut freshly grated
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups lukewarm water

For Kheer

  • 2.5 lit whole milk
  • nolen gur or liquid date palm jaggery to taste

Instructions
 

For Chitoi Pitha

  • Soak the rice, at least 6-7 hours, even better if done overnight.
  • Drain from water, blend to a smooth batter with the 1.75 cups of lukewarm water. The batter should be of medium consistency, not too thin, not too thick.
  • Add the freshly grated coconut and just a pinch of salt . Mix well. It the batter is too thick, feel free to add just a splash of warm water. Keep aside, an hour or so.
  • Grease the chitoi pithe moulds with a little oil, put over a medium flame. (Please check recipe notes)
  • Once the moulds are hit, a minute or so, pour a small ladleful of batter into each cavity, cook for 2-3 minutes or till done. There’s no need to turn the pithe over.
  • Gently remove the chitoi pithe with back of your spoon or a knife. Keep aside.
  • Repeat for the rest of the batter.

For Doodh Chitoi

  • Pour the milk into a heavy bottomed saucepan, simmer over a low flame till the milk reduces to almost one third in volume.
  • Once the milk has reduced, add the nolen gur. Give it a hearty stir, gently drop the Chitoi Pithe into the warm kheer.
  • Allow the pithe to soak all the delicious kheer, best left overnight.

Notes

1. Remember to season your clay Chitoi pithe moulds before using the same.
Immerse the moulds in water, about 4-5 hours . Pat dry. Grease with a little oil, heat over a high flame, about 5 -7 minutes.
Now switch off the flame, allow the moulds to cool down. They are now ready to use .
2. If do not have chitoi Pitha moulds , feel free can use your appam or paniyaram pans as well. (The taste though is not quite the same :-))
Keyword Chitoi Pitha, Chitoi Pithe,, Doodh Chitoi

 

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Filed Under: Bengali Desserts, Bengali Recipes, Desserts, Featured posts Tagged With: Aske Pitha, Benga, Bengali Desserts, Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Food styling, Bengali Pitha Recipes, Bengali Pithe Puli, Bengali Pithe Recipes, Bengali Recipes, Bengali Winter Recipes, Chitoi Pitha, Chitoi Pithe, Date Palm Jaggery, Doodh Chitoi, Khejur gur, Khejur Gur Recipes, Liquid Date Palm Jaggery, Liquid Palm Jaggery, Makar Sankranti, Makar Sankranti Pithe, Nalen gur, Nolen Gur, Nolen Gur Recipes, Pithe Puli, Puli pitha, Puli pithe, Sankranti, Sankranti special, SHora Pitha, Shora pithe, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Traditional Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen, চিতই পিঠা, নলেন গুড়

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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
My blog on soul food, sweet nostalgia and random musings.

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Maumita Paul
Pabda Hingi. Gorgeous Pabda. A splutter of kalonj Pabda Hingi. 
Gorgeous Pabda. A splutter of kalonji. The warmth of ginger. The earthiness of hing. A profusion of chopped coriander.
This is happiness.
This is food heaven !!
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To read more , direct link is update in bio!
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 #storiesofkolkata  #food52 #tv_foodlovers #calcuttacacophony #ig_calcutta #foodstagram #foodstyling #homemade #foodstylist #indianfoodbloggers #thrusdaymotivation #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #foodporn #theuncommonbox #foodtalkindia #eathealthy #kolkatadiaries #foodporn #gondhorajlebu #lunch #childhoodmemories #bengalifood #capturingmoments #acreativevisual #gastronomadsthali #flatlayprowess #flatlay #foodthatheals #kolkatadiaries #foodporn #fish #gloriusindianfood
And lunch is murgir jhol and rice. As has been for And lunch is murgir jhol and rice. As has been for all the growing up years.
This is my mother’s recipe for the Sunday murgir jhol.
Earthy. Yet finger-licking delicious.
Packed with loads of flavor.
And of course, a mother’s love.
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Recipe link is there in bio !
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 #food52 #tv_foodlovers #calcuttacacophony #capturethemoment #foodstagram #foodstyling #homemade #bengalilunch @hautescuisines #indianfoodbloggers #foodpornography #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #kolkatabuzz @india_undiscovered @ig_calcutta #theuncommonbox #foodtalkindia #kolkatadiaries #acreativevisual #kolkatafoodsutra #storiesofkolkata #glutenfree #official_photography_hub #indianshutterbugs #styleonmytable #bengalifood  #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodart #homemade #creatingmemories #mangshobhaat #sundayvibes
My no-fuss chocolate cake. The bliss of dark choco My no-fuss chocolate cake. The bliss of dark chocolate. That delicate balance of sugar and bitter. A generous slather of ganache.
Classics never disappoint, do they ?

Recipe link is there in bio.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #chocolatecake #foodphotography #acreativevisual #baking #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #photooftheday #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #teatime #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #photography #foodstagram #chocolate  #cherishedmemories #bakinglove #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
An ancient hnaari filled to the brim with water si An ancient hnaari filled to the brim with water sits snugly on the oonoon. Thakur adds a liberal pinch of salt. And a generous glug of mustard oil. Small mounds of vegetables rest patiently to be added to the boiling broth. First to be added are the baby potatoes and sweet potatoes. Do take note that the vegetables are whole, not even a single knife incision, S explains, hence the gota (or whole) in gota sheddho.
Next to go in shall be the baby eggplant, their stalks intact, the sheem and the peas in their shells. And finally if memory serves me right, S rattles ahead, the shish palong.
S looks at Thakur for his confirmation.
He smiles. The trick is slow cooking, he elaborates, at least a couple of hours before the vegetables are tender.
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Recipe link for Gota Shedhho is there in bio ❤️
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#saraswatipuja #lunch #storiesofkolkata #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #foodie #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #photography #amarkolkata #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #glutenfree #healthyfood #photooftheday #foodporn #ig_calcutta #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #creatingmemories #vegetarian
Keemar Labra. Mutton mince stewed with an assortme Keemar Labra. Mutton mince stewed with an assortment of winter vegetables. The aroma of whole spices. A whiff of roasted cumin powder. The fire of green chillies.
Warm and fulfilling.
Enjoy !!!.
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Recipe link is there in bio.

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#foodart #worldcuisine #aroundtheworld #foodphotography #acreativevisual #food52 #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #capturingmagic #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #hautecuisines #still_life_gallery #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #calcuttacacophony #tv_foodlovers @hautescuisines @tv_foodlovers @thefeedfeed.baking @thefeedfeed  #foodpornography #instadaily #tv_stillife #foodstylist #onlyinbengal #foodthatfuels #photooftheday #homemade #weekendvibes #beautifulcuisines #bengalifood
I have been yearning to make this dessert for a wh I have been yearning to make this dessert for a while now. And what could be better timing than when love is in the air ?
So here it is, my Textures of Strawberry and Rose. 
And thanks to Hamiltonbeach JMG that made it so simple, despite the many elements involved.
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No-Bake Rose cheesecake 
For the crust 
Using your Hamiltonbeach JMG, grind the biscuits to a coarse powder. Add the melted butter. Transfer to a mini springform tin, press uniformly to the bottom. Refrigerate, 1 hour or so.
For the rose cheesecake 
Beat the cream cheese and a little sugar till creamy using the wet soft blending option of your Hamiltonbeach JMG. Add the heavy cream and gulkand / rose jam. Mix till smooth .
Spread this cream cheese layer uniformly over the biscuit crust. Refrigerate overnight.

Strawberry Compote with a hint of Citrus
Blend the fresh strawberries with a splash of water to a smooth purée using the wet soft blending option of your Hamiltonbeach JMG.
Cook the strawberry purée with sugar and squeeze of gondhoraj lebu over a gentle flame till you have a pouring consistency. 

Strawberry Ginger Jelly 
Blend the fresh strawberries with a splash of water to a smooth purée using the wet soft blending option of your Hamiltonbeach JMG.
Strain the purée through a fine sieve, add sugar and cook with green cardamom, ginger juliennes over a gentle flame. Strain again through a fine sieve, add agar agar and continue to cook till the strawberry syrup starts to  thicken. Set in small half spherical moulds. 
Assemble on a serving plate as shown.
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#SayHelloToPerfection #ProResultsAtHome #HamiltonBeachIndia #CookLikAPro
@hamiltonbeachindia
@fbciofficial
@grainandgrowth
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 #food52 #tv_foodlovers #valentineday #capturethemoment #foodstagram #foodstyling #homemade #food @hautescuisines #indianfoodbloggers #foodpornography #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #foodstyle @india_undiscovered #foodphotography #theuncommonbox #foodtalkindia #foodtherapy #acreativevisual #dessert #instadaily #official_photography_hub #indianshutterbugs #styleonmytable #strawberry #winter #sweettooth
Lamb massaman curry! Luscious lamb. Baby potatoes Lamb massaman curry!
Luscious lamb. Baby potatoes for company. The intoxicating perfume of that lemongrass - kafir lime leaves -galangal steeped curry paste. The numbing fire of chillies. The earthy sweetness of coconut cream. Stewed languorously over a mellow flame. This is food at its decadent best. Enjoy !!!.
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Recipe link is there in bio.

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#foodart #worldcuisine #aroundtheworld #foodphotography #acreativevisual #food52 #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #capturingmagic #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #hautecuisines #still_life_gallery #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #photography #tv_foodlovers @hautescuisines @tv_foodlovers @thefeedfeed.baking @thefeedfeed  #foodpornography #instadaily #tv_stillife #foodstylist #foodporn #foodthatfuels #photooftheday #homemade #weekendvibes #beautifulcuisines #lambmassamancurry
New blog post is up I remember the evening as if New blog post is up

I remember the evening as if it were yesterday.
The next day, Grandma had proceeded to hang the curd, wrapped in muslin, on the ancient rust-brown hook on the soot-black wall of her kitchen till all the water had drained out and then mix the curd with the patiently reduced milk from the evening before, before packing the curd – reduced milk mix in a battered tiffin-box and immersing the same in a pot of boiling water.
What are you making Grandma ? A curious me had enquired.
Bhapa Doi, she had answered.
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To read more , direct link  is updated in bio
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #photooftheday #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #nolengur #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #photography #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #bhapadoi #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Dal Pitha. All the way from earthy Bihar. Fragran Dal Pitha. 
All the way from earthy Bihar.
Fragrant rice dumplings. Just a subltety of salt, maybe a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. With a delicious chana dal stuffing. Spiked with ginger and some wicked chillies. Perfumed with roasted cumin and an overload of fresh coriander.
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Recipe link is there in bio. 
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 #desi_diaries #storiesofkolkata #theuncommonbox #bengalifood #glutenfree @ig_calcutta @stories.of.kolkata #official_photography_hub #eeeeeats #foodgasm #foodstyling #chai #foodphotography #homemade #ig_calcutta #eatseasonal @india_undiscovered @walkwithindia @tv_stilllife #tasteofkolkata #foodporn #gastronomad_m #healthyfood #walkwithindia #kolkatabuzz #indianshutterbugs #foodstylist #canonphotography #snack #foodstories #acreativevisual #teatime #dalpitha #tuesdayvibes #biharifood

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