Online Desk: As the winter approaches, the air carries the scent of festivity. A unique culinary tradition, the art of making winter pitha, comes alive during the cold months in both urban and rural households of Bangladesh. These delectable rice cakes are known for their sweet and savoury flavours. Pitha is an integral part of Bengali culture. Let’s explore five delectable savoury winter pitha recipes that will warm your heart and tastebuds.

5 Delicious Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes to Try in Bangladeshi Kitchens

Chitoi Pitha

Ingredients

1 cup rice flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 cup warm water, and 2 teaspoon green chilli.

Instructions

First, take rice flour, a pinch of salt, finely chopped green chilli, and warm water, creating a smooth batter. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes.

Then, heat a non-stick pan, lightly grease it with oil, and spread the batter around. Cover with a lid, allowing it to steam and cook until soft. Remove with a spatula, place on a plate, and serve with different vortas like mustard, coriander, and dried chilli.

Spicy Chitoi pitha also tastes wonderful with different curries like vegetable curry, beef curry, mutton curry, chicken curry etc.

Chicken Puli Pitha

Ingredients

For the chicken boiling: 2 pieces’ chicken breast, water (as needed), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste.

For the chicken filling: 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/3 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

For dough: 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons oil, water (as needed), oil (to fry).

Instructions

First, simmer chicken breasts in a pan, covering them with water until about half an inch above the chicken. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic, and ginger. After 15-20 minutes, shred the chicken.

In another pan, sauté onions in oil until translucent. Add the shredded chicken, mix well, and include flour. Pour in milk, and a pinch of black pepper, and cook until it thickens into a chicken filling. Set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and oil in a separate bowl. Gradually add warm water to create a smooth dough. Rest the dough for 10 minutes, then knead lightly.

Shape small dough portions into balls, roll them into rotis, and fill with the chicken mixture. Seal the edges, trim excess dough, and deep-fry in hot oil until golden. Serve hot.

Jhal (Spicy) Bhapa Pitha

Ingredients

4 cups rice flour, salt, 1 cup coriander leaves, 2 green chillies (chopped), and 1 cup onion (chopped).

Instructions

First, mix salt and water with the rice flour. The consistency should be soaked, but not lumpy. Sieve them for a smooth neat mixture. Then, in the pot where you will make the pithas, add water up to the neck and let it boil.

Now, take two small bowls and two thin cloth pieces. Place rice flour in one bowl and add chopped coriander leaves, green chillies, and chopped onions in the middle. Set the second layer of flour on top without applying pressure.

Next, take a wet cloth and place it on top of the bowl, then invert it onto the pitha-making container. Carefully lift the bowl and cover the pitha with the cloth.

After some time, bring out the pitha with the cloth and the Pitha should come off. Repeat this process. Once the Pithas are ready, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve them hot.

Salted Patisapta with Stuffed Cottage Cheese

Ingredients

1/2 cup of cottage cheese (previously prepared), 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 2 boiled and mashed potatoes,  1/2 cup of peas (boiled), 10-12 raisins, 4 chopped green chillies, 1 tablespoon of chopped almonds, salt to taste, 2 teaspoons oil, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of semolina, 2 teaspoons rice flour, and 2 cups milk.

Instructions

First, curdle milk with vinegar and strain the cheese. In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina, rice flour, and milk to form a moderately dense dough. Add salt to taste, cover, and let it rest for about 20 minutes.

Then, in a pan, heat oil and fry the boiled and mashed potatoes along with the strained cheese, minced garlic, green chillies, and salt to taste. Add almonds and raisins. Mix everything well to prepare the filling.

Once the dough is ready, roll it out into small circles. Place a portion of the filling inside, seal the edges, and shape them into patties.

Finally, heat oil in a pan and deep-fry the cheese and potato patties until they turn golden brown. Serve these delectable patties with your favourite sauce.

Vegetable Puli Pitha

Ingredients

3 cups of rice flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, water, 2 cups of seasonal mixed vegetables, 1 cup of minced chicken (thick mince), 1 cup of chopped onions, 1 tablespoon of chopped green chillies, 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of minced ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon of chilli powder, salt to taste,  1 tablespoon of cornflour, and oil.

Instructions

First, boil water with salt and then add rice flour until it is firm and make a dough. Meanwhile, to prepare the filling, heat a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil, add onions, and sauté them until they turn soft and translucent.

Then add garlic, turmeric, chilli powder, and ginger, stirring and cooking for a few minutes. Once this mixture is well-cooked, include a variety of mixed vegetables. Adjust the salt to taste, and allow the excess water to evaporate.

To enhance the flavour, add chopped green chillies and garam masala powder and sprinkle cornflour to thicken the mixture. With the rice dough set aside earlier, shape it into small circles and fill them with the vegetable and meat mixture, sealing them securely.

Finally, deep-fry the patties until they become golden brown, and serve them hot. This delightful dish combines rice flour, an array of vegetables, and meat to create a scrumptious meal.

Closing Lines

As winter blankets the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh, the aroma of pitha fills the air, bringing joy and warmth to every home. So far, we have discussed 5 mouth-watering special savoury winter pitha recipes. These recipes not only tantalise the tastebuds but also keep the cultural legacy alive. So, why wait? Bring the heartwarming flavours of pitha into your kitchen and create lasting memories with your loved ones.