Bihari Chana Dal Pithi Stuffed Flatbread

Method

1. 1

   Make the chana dal filling: Drain soaked chana dal completely. Place in a mixer — do not add water. Grind very coarsely — just 5 to 8 seconds — until roughly broken down but not smooth. The coarse grind is important for the texture of pithi.

2. 2

   Cook the coarse dal: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and fennel seeds — let them crackle. Add ginger paste and green chilli — stir 1 minute. Add the coarsely ground dal. Add red chilli powder, turmeric and amchur. Cook stirring on medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the dal is cooked through and very dry — no moisture remaining. Add salt. Cool completely.

3. 3

   Make the dough: Combine wheat flour, oil and salt. Mix oil in with fingertips. Add warm water gradually. Knead 7 minutes to a smooth soft dough. Cover with a damp cloth. Rest 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Divide both dough and filling into 6 portions each.

5. 5

   Stuff: Flatten one dough ball in your palm. Place one portion of filling. Seal tightly. Roll gently into a round about 16 to 18 cm.

6. 6

   Cook with ghee: Heat a griddle on medium. Cook the flatbread 1.5 minutes per side applying 1 tsp ghee on each surface. Cook until golden with crispy spots.

7. 7

   Press while cooking: Press gently with a spatula while frying to ensure even contact and even browning.

8. 8

   Keep warm: Store in a cloth-lined container while making the rest.

9. 9

   Make all 6 pieces.

10. 10

    Serve with pickle and yogurt: Serve with mango pickle, yogurt and a cup of chai. The chana dal filling is dry and dense — the yogurt provides a cooling contrast.

11. 11

    Note: Pithi Paratha (pithi = coarsely ground dal filling) is a traditional Bihari travel and festival food. The coarse, dry chana dal filling stays good without refrigeration for a full day making it ideal for train journeys, farm work and festivals. Made specifically in the Bhojpur and Patna districts of Bihar. The coarse grinding of the dal rather than using whole cooked dal is the specific Bihari technique.