Chitau Pitha
Chitau is a traditional Odia pancake made from a batter of rice and coconut. The batter is seasoned with salt and cooked on a hot griddle until crispy. It can be served with sweet or savory accompaniments and is enjoyed during festivals and special occasions in Odisha.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw white rice
- 1 cup grated coconut
- Water (for soaking and grinding)
- Salt to taste
- Oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
Soaking the Rice:
- Wash the rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.
- Soak the washed rice in enough water for 3 to 4 hours.
Grinding the Batter:
- After soaking, drain the water from the rice.
- In a blender or wet grinder, combine the soaked rice and grated coconut.
- Grind them together, adding water as needed, until you get a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to dosa batter.
- Transfer the batter to a large bowl.
- Seasoning the Batter:
- Add salt to the batter and mix well. You can also add sugar or jaggery for a slightly sweet taste if desired.
Cooking the Chitau:
- Heat a non-stick tawa or griddle over medium heat.
- Once hot, lightly grease the surface with oil using a paper towel or brush.
- Pour a ladleful of the batter onto the center of the tawa.
- Quickly spread the batter in a circular motion to form a thin pancake.
- Cook the chitau on one sides as little crispy
Serving:
- Serve the hot chitau with your favorite accompaniment. It can be served with, sweet waqrm milk or sweet toppings like jaggery syrup or savory toppings like dalma (a lentil and vegetable stew), allu tarkari ( potato curry ) or any other curry of your choice.