A soft, savory rice and lentil pancake from Odisha. This traditional breakfast staple is slightly thicker and softer than a dosa, pairing perfectly with dalma or ghuguni. Note: This recipe requires 6-8 hours of soaking and 8-12 hours of fermentation time.
Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Soak360 min
Ferment600 min
Servings4
Serving size: 2 pieces
269cal
7gprotein
29gcarbs
Ingredients
1.5 cup Parboiled Rice (Known as 'Ukuda Chaula' in Odia)
0.5 cup Urad Dal (Skinned black gram lentils)
0.5 tsp Fenugreek Seeds (Also known as Methi)
2 cup Water (For grinding, plus more for soaking and adjusting consistency)
1.25 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
4 tbsp Oil (For cooking the pithas)
Instructions
1
Soak Rice and Lentils (6-8 hours)
In a large bowl, combine the parboiled rice and urad dal. Rinse them together under running water 4-5 times until the water runs clear.
A simple and nutritious Odia stir-fry made with fresh amaranth leaves, garlic, and chilies. This quick and healthy side dish brings a rustic, earthy flavor to any meal and is ready in minutes.
Homestyle Chakuli Pitha with iron-boosting Saga Bhaja – a fiber-rich meal that's truly good for you!
This odia dish is perfect for breakfast. With 438.72 calories and 14.89g of protein per serving, it's a high-fiber, gut-friendly option for your meal plan.
15gfat
Pour in enough fresh water to cover the rice and dal by at least 3 inches.
Cover the bowl and let it soak for a minimum of 6 hours, or preferably overnight.
2
Grind the Batter (15-20 minutes)
Drain all the soaking water from the rice and dal mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a wet grinder or a high-speed blender.
Add about 1 cup of fresh, cold water and start grinding. Using cold water prevents the blender from overheating and affecting fermentation.
Grind into a smooth, flowing batter, adding more water tablespoon by tablespoon as needed. The final consistency should be smooth and pourable, but not watery. It should coat the back of a spoon.
Transfer the batter to a large, deep container, ensuring it's only filled halfway to allow room for fermentation.
3
Ferment the Batter (8-12 hours)
Whisk the batter with your clean hands for 2-3 minutes. The warmth and natural yeast from your hands aid in the fermentation process.
Cover the container with a lid (do not seal it tightly) and place it in a warm, draft-free place for 8 to 12 hours, or until it has risen, looks frothy, and has a pleasant sour aroma.
In colder climates, you can place the container inside a turned-off oven with the light on.
4
Prepare for Cooking (5 minutes)
Once fermented, add salt to the batter and stir it gently. Do not overmix, as this will deflate the air pockets.
Check the consistency. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to reach a pourable pancake batter consistency, slightly thicker than a regular dosa batter.
5
Cook the Chakuli Pitha (25-30 minutes)
Heat a cast-iron tawa or a non-stick pan over medium heat. To check if it's ready, sprinkle a few drops of water; they should sizzle and evaporate immediately.
Grease the tawa lightly with about 1/2 teaspoon of oil using a paper towel or a slice of onion.
Pour a ladleful of batter (about 1/3 cup) onto the center of the hot tawa.
Using the back of the ladle, gently spread the batter in a circular motion to form a pancake about 6-7 inches in diameter. Keep it slightly thick.
Drizzle a little oil around the edges and on top of the pitha.
Cover with a lid and cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes on medium-low heat, until the top surface looks cooked and small pores appear.
Uncover and flip the pitha. Cook the other side for another minute until it's cooked through and has light golden spots.
Remove the pitha from the tawa and repeat the process with the remaining batter, greasing the tawa lightly before each pitha.
6
Serve
Serve hot Chakuli Pitha immediately with traditional Odia accompaniments like Dalma, Ghuguni, or a simple coconut-mustard chutney.
170cal
8gprotein
20gcarbs
8gfat
Ingredients
500 g Amaranth Leaves (One large bunch, tough stems removed)
2 tbsp Mustard Oil
5 pc Sundried Lentil Dumplings (Known as Badi, optional for crunch)
1 tsp Pancha Phutana (Odia five-spice blend)
6 clove Garlic (Finely chopped)
2 pc Green Chili (Slit lengthwise)
1 pc Onion (Medium, thinly sliced)
0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
0.75 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Greens
Separate the amaranth leaves (saga) from any thick, tough stems. Discard the stems.
Wash the leaves thoroughly in a large bowl of water 2-3 times to remove all dirt and grit. This step is crucial.
Drain the leaves completely using a colander and then roughly chop them.
2
Temper Spices and Sauté Aromatics
Heat mustard oil in a kadai or large pan over medium-high heat until it is fragrant and slightly smoking.
If using badi, add them to the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same oil, reduce the heat to medium, add the pancha phutana and let the seeds splutter for about 30 seconds.
Add the chopped garlic and slit green chilies. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until the raw smell of garlic disappears.
Add the sliced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent.
3
Cook the Saga
Add all the chopped amaranth leaves to the pan. It will look like a large volume, but it will wilt down.
Sprinkle the turmeric powder and salt over the leaves.
Mix everything well to combine. Cover the pan and cook on a low-medium flame for 5-7 minutes. The leaves will release their own moisture, so no extra water is needed.
Uncover the pan, increase the heat to medium, and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the moisture has evaporated.
4
Finish and Serve
Once the saga is cooked and the dish is dry, turn off the heat.
Lightly crush the fried badi with your hands and sprinkle them over the saga bhaja for a crunchy texture.
Give it a final mix and serve immediately while hot. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice and dal.
