Alternative names | Baati, Bhauri |
---|---|
Course | Snack, main course |
Place of origin | India and Nepal |
Region or state | Bhojpuri region |
Associated cuisine | Bhojpuri cuisine |
Serving temperature | Any |
Main ingredients | Wheat flour, brinjal, onion, peppers, cilantro, mustard oil, gram flour, ghee |
Variations | Baati |
Litti is a wholewheat flour dough ball stuffed with a spiced mixture of satui (roasted black chickpea flour). [1] Litti, along with chokha, is a complete meal that is popular in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Nepalese provinces of Madhesh and Lumbini (eastern parts). [2] It is also a popular street food in small towns and cities. Over the years it has gained international recognition. [3] [4] [5]
It consists of a wheat dough ball filled with a mixture of roasted gram flour, spices, and herbs, which is then baked over coal or cow dung cakes, and served with chokha made from mashed vegetables.Traditionally, the wheat dough balls are roasted on hot charcoal or dried cow dung fire. They can also be baked in an oven, roasted on a tava or fried. [1]
The history of Litti is deeply rooted in the Bhojpuri region of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the cities of Buxar and Banaras. Both the Panchkosi Jatra and the Lota-Bhanta Mela are significant cultural and religious events in these regions, highlighting the ritualistic importance of Litti.
The Panchkosi Jatra, an annual pilgrimage held in Buxar, involves the circumambulation of five sacred sites. It starts every year on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Agrahayana and lasts for five days. According to a legend from the Ramayana, Lord Ram consumed Litti-Chokha during his visit to Charitravan in Buxar while staying at the ashram of Maharishi Vishwamitra. As part of the Panchkosi Jatra, Litti is prepared and offered to Lord Ram as prasad at Charitravan on the final day of the journey, symbolizing devotion and preserving the dish’s ritualistic significance in the area's long-standing traditions. [6] [7]
The Lota-Bhanta Mela, held annually in Varanasi, on the sixth day of the dark fortnight of Agrahayana is another major festival linked to Litti (also called Baati). According to legend, Lord Ram is believed to have visited Kashi twice, performing the sacred Panchkosi Jatra—first to absolve King Dasharatha of a curse and later to atone for Brahmahatya after slaying Ravana. During his second pilgrimage, Lord Ram made a Shivling from sand, performed jalabhishek, and then prepared Litti-Chokha, offering it to Lord Shiva as bhog and later consuming it as prasad, completing his penance. This site is now known as Rameshwar Mahadev. As part of the Lota-Bhanta Mela, devotees bathe in the Varuna River, prepare Litti-Chokha, and offer it to Lord Shiva, continuing this sacred tradition of devotion. [8]
The dish has its roots in the cuisine of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and southern Nepal. It has been a part of local diets for centuries, often associated with the peasant and working-class populations. It is also said to have been a staple food for the armies of Magadh due to its long shelf life and nutritional value.[ citation needed ]
Litti is a dough ball made from whole wheat flour, stuffed with sattu (roasted gram flour) mixed with garlic, ginger, onions, coriander leaves, lime juice, carom seeds, nigella seeds, and mustard oil. Traditionally, it is cooked over a coal fire, giving it a distinct smoky flavour. [9]
Chokha is prepared by mashing boiled vegetables, typically eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes, mixed with garlic, green chilies, mustard oil, and various spices to enhance the flavour.[ citation needed ]
Traditionally Litti Chokha is essentially two items Litti and Chokha, often served with accompaniments like pickle, salad, or green peppers.
Litti is prepared by making dough balls from the wheat flour, which are then filled with the spiced sattu mixture. The balls are then baked until they turn golden brown. Chokha involves roasting or boiling the vegetables, which are then peeled and mashed with the rest of the spices and seasonings. [10] Street vendors prepare Litti in a barbeque style.[ citation needed ]
Herbs and spices used to flavour the litti include onion, garlic, ginger, coriander leaves, lime juice, carom seeds, nigella seeds and salt. [11] In Madhesh Province of Nepal, Litti is served with Momo Achar. In western Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, litti is served with murgh korma (a creamy chicken curry) or chokha (a vegetable preparation of roasted and mashed eggplant, tomato, and potato). [12]
Litti Chokha is more than just a culinary delight; it is a symbol of Bhojpuri Cuisine. It reflects the simplicity and earthiness of rural landscape. The dish is a staple at traditional festivals, gatherings, and meals, representing the essence of local hospitality and tradition.
Litti Chokha is considered nutritious, offering a balanced combination of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibers. The use of whole grains, legumes, and vegetables makes it a wholesome meal.
Litti-chokha was selected to represent the country under the banner of the National Association of Street food Vendors of India (NASVI) at the five-day event in the Philippines capital, Manila. [13] [14]
Litti Chokha is also served in restaurants abroad such as in the Bay Area. Restaurant Pippal, among others, serves it to delight their customers. [15] [16] [17]
Turkish cuisine is the cuisine of Turkey and the Turkish diaspora. The cuisine took its current form after numerous cultural interactions throughout centuries, descending from earlier stages of Turkish cuisine, Ottoman cuisine and Seljuk cuisine. Turkish cuisine with traditional Turkic elements such as yogurt, ayran, kaymak, exerts and gains influences to and from Mediterranean, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Eastern European cuisines.
Arab cuisine collectively refers to the regional culinary traditions of the Arab world, consisting of the Maghreb and the Mashriq. These cuisines are centuries old and reflect the culture of trading in ingredients, spices, herbs, and commodities among the Arabs. The regions have many similarities, but also unique traditions. They have also been influenced by climate, cultivation, and mutual commerce.
Iraqi cuisine is a Middle Eastern cuisine that has its origins in the ancient Near East culture of the fertile crescent. Tablets found in ancient ruins in Iraq show recipes prepared in the temples during religious festivals—the first cookbooks in the world. Ancient Iraq's cultural sophistication extended to the culinary arts.
Czech cuisine has both influenced and been influenced by the cuisines of surrounding countries and nations. Many of the cakes and pastries that are popular in Central Europe originated within the Czech lands. Contemporary Czech cuisine is more meat-based than in previous periods; the current abundance of farmable meat has enriched its presence in regional cuisine. Traditionally, meat has been reserved for once-weekly consumption, typically on weekends.
Levantine cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Levant, in the sense of the rough area of former Ottoman Syria. The cuisine has similarities with Egyptian cuisine, North African cuisine and Ottoman cuisine. It is particularly known for its meze spreads of hot and cold dishes, most notably among them ful medames, hummus, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush, accompanied by bread.
Baati is a hard, unleavened bread cooked in most areas of Rajasthan, and in some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states of India. It is prized for its long shelf life and high nutritional content, and, in desert areas, for the minimal quantity of water required for its preparation. Baati is commonly eaten with dal, hence also referred to as dal baati. In some regions, especially Madhya Pradesh, it is also paired with a roasted aubergine mash called bharta. Baati is also closely related to Litti (cuisine), popular in eastern Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi) and western Bihar. Litti is eaten with potato, tomato and roasted aubergine.
Gujarati cuisine is the cuisine of the Indian state of Gujarat. The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli, dal or curry, rice, and shaak. The thali will also include preparations made from pulses or whole beans such as moong, black eyed beans etc., a snack item (farsaan) like dhokla, pathra, samosa, fafda, etc. and a sweet (mishthaan) like mohanthal, jalebi, sevaiya etc.
Dāl bhāt (Bhojpuri:𑂠𑂰𑂪 𑂦𑂰𑂞, Nepali: दाल भात, Hindi: दाल भात, Bengali: ডাল ভাত, Gujarati: દાળ ભાત, Marathi: डाळ भात, Assamese: দাইল ভাত dāil bhat / দালি ভাত dāli bhāt, is a traditional meal from the Indian subcontinent. It consists of steamed rice and a stew of lentils or other pulses called dal. It is a staple food in these countries. Bhāt or chāwal means "boiled rice" in a number of Indo-Aryan languages.
Indian breads are a wide variety of flatbreads and crêpes which are an integral part of Indian cuisine. Their variation reflects the diversity of Indian culture and food habits.
Bhojpuri cuisine is a style of food preparation common among the Bhojpuri people of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh in India, and also the Terai region of Nepal. Bhojpuri foods are mostly mild and tend to be less hot in terms of spices used. The cuisine consists of both vegetable and meat dishes.
The cuisine of Bahrain consists of dishes such as biryani, harees, khabeesa, machboos, mahyawa, quzi and zalabia. Arabic coffee (qahwah) is the national beverage.
Kuwaiti cuisine is a fusion of Arabian, Iranian, Indian and Mediterranean cuisines. Kuwaiti cuisine is part of the Eastern Arabian cuisine. A prominent dish in Kuwaiti cuisine is machboos, a rice-based dish usually prepared with basmati rice seasoned with spices, and chicken or mutton.
Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh is from the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) located in Northern India. The cuisine of UP has a large variety of dishes. The cuisine consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes of different varieties. Being a large state, the cuisine of UP share lot of dishes and recipes with the neighboring states of Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana. Braj, Awadhi, Kannuaji, Kauravi, Bundeli, Bagheli and Bhojpuri are famous subtypes of cuisine of the state.
Many cuisines feature eggplant salads and appetizers.
Satui or Sattu is a type of flour, mainly used in India, Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan. Satui is a type of flour made up of dry roasted and ground pulses and cereals. The dry powder is prepared in various ways as a principal or secondary ingredient of dishes. Satui is used in vegetarian cuisine as it can be a source of protein.
Baigan bharta, also spelled bainganbharta or baigan chokha is an Indian dish prepared by mashing or mincing grilled eggplant (baigan) with tomato, onion, herbs and spices, with variations being common from chef to chef. Traditionally, cooking the eggplants over charcoals, inside of a tandoor, barbecue grill or oven, or even directly applying flame to the outside of the fruit infuses the dish with a smoky flavour; the blackened skin is then easily peeled and the eggplant may be further prepared.
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Bhurta, vorta, bhorta, bharta or chokha is a lightly fried mixture of mashed vegetables in the cuisine of the Indian subcontinent.