Pitla – Popular Maharastrian Dish
Pitla always reminds me of my childhood days. It’s something which was always made at home when no vegetables were available or dinner had to be made in a hurry. Pithla is a dish which everybody liked at my home. This maharashtrian delicacy is spicy, tasty and very easy to make. The consistency of Pitla depends on the way you want to eat it. Pithla comes in many variations like it can be runny, thick curry-like or dry. The dry version of besan pitla is popularly known as Zunka. Runny style pitla goes well when you want to eat it with rice. The thick curry-like or dry zunka variety of besan pitla is served best with bhakri which is made from jowar or bajra. Pithla bhakri or zunka bhakri is found in many roadside eateries in Maharashtra, popularly known as zunka bhakar. If you love spicy food, then you are sure to love besan pitla.
Important ingredients for Pitla
Pitla is so easy to make and can be made from some readily available ingredients at home. The main ingredient in making pitla are besan (gram flour), chopped green chilies and red chilly powder is used as a spice to make it spicy. You can make your own homemade besan from chana dal by grinding the chana dal into a fine flour using a mixer.
Nutritional Benefits of Pitla / Pithla
Pithla is maharashtrian dish which is very rich in proteins and when eaten with bhakri it makes a complete food full of nutritions. Besan itself has lots of nutritional benefits like it’s rich in proteins and amylase. Pitla is always served with a salad made from cucumber, tomatoes, radish, onions which increase the nutritional value of the whole meal. While making pitla at home you can also choose to add green vegetables like palak (spinach) or methi in pithla to make it more healthier and tastier.
Calories in Home Made Pithla ( Marathi Dish)
Nutrition Facts in Home Made Pithla ( Marathi Dish)
Servings: 1
1/4 bowl of pithla
Calories 182
Sodium 166 mg
Total Fat 9 g
Potassium 0 mg
Saturated 5 g
Total Carbs 20 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Monounsaturated 0 g
Sugars 6 g
Trans 0 g
Protein 6 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Vitamin A 0%
Calcium 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Iron 0%
List of Ingredients to make Besan pitla at home
•½ cup Besan (gram flour)
•2 cups of water
•2-3 green chillies finely chopped for spicy taste
•3-4 finely chopped garlic cloves
•1 medium size onion chopped
•1 tsp red chilli powder
•1 tsp turmeric powder
•1 tsp mustard seeds
•1 tsp cumin seeds
•1 tbsp oil
•9-10 curry leaves
•Pinch of asfoetidia
•1 tbsp finely chopped coriander
•Salt to taste
Step by Step Directions to make Besan Pithla at home
1.In a bowl mix the besan, red chili powder, turmeric powder and little salt.
2.Now to this add little water at a time to make it into a smooth paste.
3.In a kadhai over a medium flame heat the oil.
4.Add the mustard seeds in the oil when it’s hot.
5.When the mustard seeds begin to crackle, add cumin seeds.
6.After a few seconds add finely chopped garlic, curry leaves, and green chillies and let them fry well.
7.Now add the onion and salt and cook until the onion softens up.
8.Finally add the besan paste and mix everything up.
9.Keep stirring the mixture continuously and keep on adding water little by little to get the consistency you desire.
10.Now cover the kadhai with a lid and let it cook for 5- 6 minutes on a low flame, stir the pithla occasionally.
11.Garnish the besan pithla with freshly chopped coriander and serve it with Bhakri, Roti or Rice.