'Chhita pitha' or 'Chhit ruti' is a popular type of food which is eaten in winter mostly. It is eaten as a morning or evening snack and also as a complete meal.
The look of this pitha is unique with an aesthetic touch. It tastes different as well. The ingredients needed for this pitha are simple. However, you have to be skilful to make it.
Household recipe for chhita pitha
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of rice flour (Atop rice)
- Salt
- Ginger paste
- Turmeric powder (optional)
- 3 cups of water
- Oil to brush
Steps:
- First, you must mix 2 cups of rice flour, salt as per taste, a little turmeric powder, and ginger paste. Ginger is added for mild flavour. 3 cups of water are added gradually, not in one go. The batter should be very liquid, or else the pitha will be thick. With a hand whisk, the batter must be whisked. Any kind of lumps is unwanted.
- After preparing this batter, keep the batter for at least 30 minutes. But to get a good result, keep the batter to rest for 2 hours.
- Then heat a non-stick pan. After heating it, keep the flame low. Brush some oil.
- By using your hand, sprinkle the batter on the pan. This method gives a circular shape. Continue the process until most of the dots of batter join together. Keep it on a slow flame for 1 or 2 minutes. You will notice that there will be a change of colour when the pitha is cooked.
- Using a spatula, try to detach the pitha from the pan.
- Then fold it as per your choice of shape. However, the triangular shape is familiar.
Serving
Nothing can beat the soft and warm chhita pitha with duck curry during winter. This combo goes perfectly with the weather and tastes heavenly. This pitha can also be eaten with chicken and beef curry. Bhorta lovers can try it with different kinds of bhorta also.
Chhita pitha in restaurants now
Chhitapitha is popular in villages. People serve this pitha to newlywed couples in rural areas. Guests are served chhita pitha with beef and chicken curry as well.
However, chhita pitha has found its way into urban households as well. In Dhaka, some places sell chhita pitha, served with various meat curries. But duck curry is a crowd favourite.
'Bangaliyana Bhoj,' a restaurant in Panthapath, Bashundhara and Mohammadpur, serves this pitha. However, they do not follow the authentic way. They do not sprinkle; instead, pour the batter using a pot.
Another place named 'Café Jhal,' located in Nurjahan road, Mohammadpur serves chhita pitha. They follow the traditional process of sprinkling with hand.
