Indian Street Food Recipes: Litti Chokha

By Nandini Bhushan

Street food in India is a vibrant and integral part of culinary culture, offering diverse flavours, textures and aromas. The rich journey of Indian street food varies widely from region to region, reflecting the country’s diverse culinary tradition. From east to west and north to south, every corner offers its own unique street food made with locally available ingredients. Cheap and easily available, these street foods are consumed by millions.

Also try: Indian Street Food Recipes: Chana Dal Vada

Litti Chokha

A quintessential Bihari dish, Litti Chokha is a traditional street food that is relished by locals as well as tourists. The wholesome and healthy litti is a smoky-flavoured wheat flour ball stuffed with sattu and roasted on a coal fire. Litti is often served along with chokha and dollops of ghee.

Ingredients 

(Serving for 3 to 4 persons)

For litti

Wheat flour: 2 cups

Ghee: 4 tsp

Ajwain: 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Water as required 

For stuffing

Sattu: 1 cup

Onion: 1 finely chopped 

Garlic: 4 to 5 cloves finely chopped 

Coriander leaves: ¼ cup

Pickle masala: 1 tsp (optional)

Kalonji: 1 tsp

Mustard oil: 2 tsp

Lemon juice: 1 tsp

Salt to taste

For chokha

Brinjal: 1 large

Potato: 2

Tomato: 2

Onion: 1 finely chopped 

Garlic: 4 to 5 finely chopped 

Green chilli: 2 to 3 finely chopped 

Coriander leaves: ¼ cup

Mustard oil: 2 tsp

Lemon juice: 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Step 1

Mix flour, ghee, ajwain and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add water to make a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for half an hour.

Step 2

In a separate bowl combine salt, chopped onion, garlic, green chilli, coriander leaves, pickle masala, ajwain, mustard oil and salt. Mix well.

Step 3

Divide the dough into equal portions. Flatten it slightly and place a spoonful of stuffing in the centre. Bring the edges together and seal. Roll gently to form a smooth ball.

Step 4

Place the litti on a gas stove using wire mesh. Turn and cook on low flame until done from both sides.

Step 5

For the chokha, roast the eggplant (brinjal), tomato and potato directly over an open flame until charred and soft. Let them cool slightly, then peel off the charred skin.

Step 6

In a bowl mash the toasted vegetables. To this add chopped onion, garlic, green chili, coriander leaves, mustard oil, lemon juice and salt. Mix well to combine. 

Step 7

Serve hot litti with chokha on the side. Drizzle some ghee over the litti for added flavour.