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Kakara Pitha

January 9, 2020 By Maumita Paul Leave a Comment

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Kakara PithaPin

The debate at the dinner table is animated.
The topic of discussion- where did the ubiquitous pulao originate ?
One half staunchly believe that we have had pulao since the Vedic ages, there are even references eloquently quoted of ancient scripts that have mentions of the same.
And then there are the naysayers who assert, just as confidently, that the origins of the pulao lie in the heartland of Central Asia and medieval invasions brought the pulao to India. And did I hear it right that there is a school of thought that credits Alexander to have brought the pilaf to India, so ancient that we have almost gotten to believe we are the creators of the pulao ?

Coffee flows.
The temperature rises.
Arguments and counter-arguments.
Proposals passionately put forth, but vehemently disbanded.

That was some feisty debate, S and I chuckle once the guests have departed.
Impassioned spirited pleas.
Just as melodramatic refutations.

Have we as nation though, I muse, lost our ability to appreciate a good debate ?
Where we can agree to disagree and yet respect that each one is entitled to his / her views.
Where we consciously do not give in to caustic knee-jerk reactions.
Where every disagreement does not degenerate to vicious personal attacks.

Possibly yes, S rues, We are getting far too polarised as a society for our own good.
The strength of a democracy is in her appetite for a healthy debate – ideas and counter-ideas, iterations of them, till she arrives at the best answer for her citizens.

And a flood of memories return, of Satapathi Aunty and her lucid explanation of a democracy to a fifteen year old me.
Decades ago.
Under the canopy of the ancient mango tree in her garden.
Understanding fundamental rights.
The left and the right.
Socialism.
Benevolent capitalism.
The importance of public opinion. And public debate.
And the world of student activism.
You are the future, this is your country, Aunty’s words ring in my ears as if this were yesterday.

Dusk smothers the day and darkness descends.
I sit, staring listlessly at the horizon.
Why am I quiet today ? I ask myself. Where has that anger gone hiding ? Or have I just become comfortably numb ?
The last vestige of light ebbs away, it’s an envelope of Stygian darkness now.
The raucous shrill of a nightbird punctuates the blissful silence of the dark.
S fetches me a shawl.

Kakara PithaPin

And a Kakara Pitha, a recipe I learned from Satapathi Aunty for today.
Kakara Pitha. Semolina dumplings stuffed with a delectable mixture of jaggery and coconut. Fried to a splendid golden. And dont forget that drizzle of the magical nolen gur on top !!

Would Satapathi Aunty, the eternal optimist, though still be proud of me today ?
Or would she turn her head away in scornful derision ?

Kakara PithaPin

Kakara Pitha

Kakara Pitha. Semolina dumplings stuffed with a delectable mixture of jaggery and coconut. Fried to a splendid golden. And dont forget that drizzle of the magical nolen gur on top !! Enjoy !!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Odiya, Oriya

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup suji or semolina
  • 1.5 cup coconut freshly grated
  • 200 g date palm jaggery or khejur gur
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • a pinch of cardamom powder
  • oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp nolen gur or liquid date palm jaggery optional

Instructions
 

  • Take the grated coconut and jaggery in a pan, cook over a low flame, stirring occasionally. Till the jaggery is well incorporated into the coconut. 5-7 odd minutes I would reckon. Remove from heat.
  • Take a pan, add 1.5 cups of water, sugar , cardamom powder and bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp oil, lower the flame, add the semolina to the boiling water, stirring continuously to form a thick batter. Keep stirring the batter to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook till the semolina is cooked and the batter has turned into a soft dough. Allow the dough to cool just enough for you to handle, shape into small balls, keep aside.
  • Now take a dough ball on your palm, press it gently in the middle using your thumb forming a small cup. Place a small portion of the coconut-jaggery mixture in the middle of the cup.
  • Very gently bring the edges of the dough cup together to cover the stuffing. Press it to make small disc as in the picture.
  • Heat oil in a kadhai, deep fry till golden brown. Serve warm with a drizzle of nolen gur .
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Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Pitha Recipes, Date Palm Jaggery, Desserts, Food Blogger, Food Photography, Food Styling, Indian Food Photography, Indian Recipes, Kakara Pitha, Makar Sankranti, Makar Sankranti Pithe, Nalen gur, Nolen Gur, Odisha Recipes, Oriya Recipe, Oriya Recipes, Pitha, Pitha Photography, Pitha Recipes, Pithe, Pithe Photography, Pithe Puli, Pithe Recipes, Poush Parbon, Puli pitha, Puli pithe, Rath, Rathajatra, Rathayatra Special Recipes, Rathyatra, Sankranti, Sankranti special

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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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 #food52 #tv_foodlovers #calcuttacacophony #capturethemoment #foodstagram #foodstyling #homemade #bengalilunch @hautescuisines #indianfoodbloggers #foodpornography #photooftheday #gastronomad_m #kolkatabuzz @india_undiscovered #fish #theuncommonbox #foodtalkindia #kolkatadiaries #acreativevisual #kolkatafoodsutra #storiesofkolkata #glutenfree #official_photography_hub #indianshutterbugs #styleonmytable #bengalifood  @onlyinbengal @bengal_undiscovered #foodphotography #foodart #homemade #winter #orange

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