By Nandini Bhushan*
From Vat Savitri to Chhath Puja, and from humble litti chokha to the traditional dal pitha, Bihar is blessed with all the flavour and spirit of pomp and splendor. Eddie Kennyson rightly said, “when opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to go after it.” In these columns I shall not only be telling something about my native state Bihar through the window of its festival and food, but shall also offer the recipe so that one can try it oneself.
Bihari cuisine, I believe deserves its long overdue credit, as it is one of the most unexplored and under rated food today despite being full of flavours and among the most palatable cuisines. In today’s world of marketing and flamboyance, we seriously need a makeover of the sumptuous Bihari food to find its rightful niche in the gastronomical world. We need to present our recipe to the global audience, and being a food enthusiast myself, it is my humble attempt to present a traditional Bihari food with an interesting variation.
Also try: Make Yourself Bihari Food Part – 33: Dal Kaddua
Lakhto
Lakhto…… a native rustic Bihari delicacy to munch in the cold weather of Bihar. These bites of joy is indeed a great way to kick start the new year on a sweeter note. People of Bihar love to indulge in the seasonal delicacy and gur (jaggery) is one such ingredient that is available in large quantities in the winter season. Gur has some amazing health benefits as it is rich in vital vitamins and minerals and helps to keep the body warm during winters. If we manage to include the goodness of gur in our diet, it works as an immunity booster too. Lakhto as such is a great winter treat that is equally relished by children as well as grown ups.
Ingredients
Besan : 1 cup
Gur : ¾ cup
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Oil for frying
Step 1
In a bowl mix together besan, turmeric powder and oil. Gradually add water and knead a soft dough.
Step 2
Grease your hand while kneading the dough so that besan doesn’t stick to your palms.
Step 3
Add oil in a pan. Roll small pieces from the dough giving the shape of lakhto and fry it on a medium flame. Once crispy drain it out and let it cool. One can also make lakhto with the help of sev making machine.
Step 4
In another pan make a syrup by cooking gur with ½ cup water until it becomes a thick syrup. Once the consistency reaches the desired consistency, gradually add the fried lakhto stirring it continuously.
Step 5
Once the lakhto gets completely coated with the jaggery syrup, spread it in a plate and let it cool down. Store this desi sweet in an air tight container and enjoy.
*Nandini Bhushan is a well-known food blogger
