Bihar Chura Dahi Flattened Rice Yogurt Makar Sankranti

Ingredients

• 2 cups thick poha (thick flattened rice — chura in Bihari; thicker than regular poha and rinsed, not cooked)
• 1.5 cups thick full-fat yogurt — sweetened with 3 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp jaggery — in small pieces or grated
• A pinch of cardamom
• Fresh banana slices — optional

Method

1. Rinse the thick flattened rice briefly in cold water.
2. Drain. Spread and let rest 5 minutes until the rice absorbs the residual moisture and softens slightly.
3. The chura should be soft when pressed but not mushy or breaking apart.
4. Place the softened chura in a bowl.
5. Pour the sweetened thick yogurt over the chura generously.
6. The yogurt should cover the rice.
7. Place jaggery pieces or grated jaggery on top.
8. Add a pinch of cardamom.
9. Add banana slices if desired.
10. Eat immediately — the chura softens quickly in the yogurt and should be eaten within 10 minutes of assembling.