Manda Pitha
A classic Odia sweet featuring soft, steamed rice flour dumplings with a delicious filling of sweet coconut and jaggery. This festive treat simply melts in your mouth and is a cherished part of Odia cuisine.
For 12 servings
5 steps. 15 minutes total.
- 1
Prepare the sweet coconut filling
- a.Place a pan on medium heat and add the grated coconut and grated jaggery. Stir continuously and cook for 5-7 minutes until the jaggery melts and the mixture becomes sticky, leaving the sides of the pan. Turn off the heat, stir in the cardamom powder and black pepper powder. Mix well and let the filling cool down completely.
- 2
Make the rice flour dough
- a.In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add salt and ghee. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the rice flour, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon to avoid lumps. Mix until the flour absorbs all the water and forms a dough. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Transfer the warm dough to a large plate and knead for 3-4 minutes until it is smooth and pliable.
- 3
Shape and stuff the pithas
- a.Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized balls. Grease your palms with ghee or oil. Take one ball of dough and flatten it into a small disc or cup, about 2-3 inches in diameter. Place about 1 tablespoon of the coconut filling in the center. Bring the edges of the dough together to cover the filling and seal it tightly. Roll it gently between your palms to form a smooth, crack-free ball. Repeat for all remaining dough and filling.
- 4
Steam the pithas
- a.Grease a steamer plate or idli stand. Arrange the stuffed pithas on the plate, ensuring they don't touch. Steam on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, until the pithas look shiny and feel firm. Turn off the heat and let them rest in the steamer for 2-3 minutes before removing.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Serve the Manda Pitha warm as a delicious sweet snack or dessert.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1The ratio of rice flour to water is crucial. Using boiling water is key to getting a soft, pliable dough.
- 2Knead the dough while it is still warm to get a smooth, crack-free texture.
- 3Don't overcook the coconut-jaggery filling, or it will become hard and chewy.
- 4Ensure the pithas are sealed well to prevent the filling from oozing out during steaming.
- 5For an extra fragrant touch, you can place the pithas on a banana leaf inside the steamer.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
This recipe is almost vegan. Simply replace the 1 tsp of ghee with coconut oil or any neutral vegetable oil.
healthyHealthy
Use brown rice flour instead of white rice flour for added fiber. You can also replace jaggery with an equal amount of date paste.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Add a few chopped nuts like cashews or almonds to the filling for extra crunch, or hide a small piece of dark chocolate in the center for a fun surprise.
quickQuick
If you are short on time, use store-bought sweetened coconut filling (like that used for barfi) and crumble it to use as stuffing.
