Podo Pitha/Baked Urad dal and Sooji(Blackgram dal and Semolina)-Odisha Special

Podo Pitha/Baked Urad dal and Sooji(Blackgram dal and Semolina)-Odisha Special

Preparation Time: 5 hours
Cooking Time: 40-50  MinutesTotal Preparation Time : 5 hr 50 Minutes

Podo pitha  is slow-cooked pitha. It is made by slowly baking fermented rice, black gram, grated coconut and jagery overnight. Its crust is slightly burnt, while the inside is soft and white. Poda pitha is generally made during Raja/ RajoParba.(3 day s festival celebrated during 
month of June every year in Odisha).It is also served in the Jagannath Temple, Puri.

This is one more signature and special dish only prepared in Odisha. It is a very famous dish and prepared in almost every home during rajo parab and any special occasion's too.

When we visit our hometown my Aunt whom we called "Moma" baked this for us without fail.We all love this pitha a lot. 

Every one prepare this dish in their favorite way. And all I can say all the variation's are equally delicious!.I have came with my favorite way... let's start.

 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Odisha

Servings:6 person's

Ingredients

Urad dal/Black gram dal-1 cup

Sooji/rawa/semolina-1/2 cup

Coconut  chooped in thin slices1/2 cup

Ghee-2 tsp(greasing)

Sugar-1/2 cup(adjust according to your personal preference)

Crushed black pepper and cardamom powder-2 tsp(20 black pepper & 6 green cardamom)

Cashew/4 cup

Raisins 1/4 cup

Salt to taste(1-2 pinch)

Procedure

• Soak urad dal/black gram lentil for 5 hours and then grind to fine paste
• The batter consistency has to be little more thick than dosa batter(little watery than cake batter)
• Take mixing bowl and transfer the batter into it
• And now add sugar, semolina, half of dry fruits and coconut 
• Whisk it nicely and then add crushed black pepper and cardamom 
• Now add salt and mix it properly and keep it aside for 20 minutes 
• After 20 minutes take pressure cooker and grease it nicely with ghee(please make sure your pressure cooker is cool and dry before greasing)
• Now transfer the batter into the pressure cooker
• Garnish  the top with rest of dry fruits and coconut
• Close the lid of the pressure cooker without whistle
• Place it on gas stove in low flame for almost 40 minutes
• Keep checking in between and when top is cooked and turned slightly golden in color
• Check the pitha/cake by inserting a tooth pick or knife into it
• If the knife came out clean, then the pitha is also cooked from inside
• Now turn off the gas and wait till it cool down completely
• Once completely cool the make pressure cooker upside down on plate to remove the pitha from it
• The same procedure of demoulding the cake
• Cut into desired pieces and serve it!

Thank you all for visiting my blog!!

Will be back soon with a more traditional recipes with my twist!!!