Pithla / Bombay Chutney

Pithla Bhakri represents a humble and very comfort meal in any Maharashtrain household. Pithla, Bhakri and Thecha served with Green chillies and Raw onion make a fabulous combination.Pithla Bhakri is called as Farmer's meal or poor man's meal in Maharashtra. But because of it's awesome taste and simplicity it got popular among all Maharashtrian households. Pithla is made from besan/chickpea flour and tastes best when eaten with Bhakri which is prepared using Jowar/Bajri flour. Making Pithla is handy when you are either out of stock for veggies. Amma prepared this ideal meal for lunch on Sunday.Like every recipe Pithla has many variations. Here goes the recipe for Pithla.

Ingredients:-

1 cup Besan/Chick pea flour/gram flour
2 onions chopped
1 Tomato chopped
4-5 green chilies chopped
4-5 garlic pods peeled
½ tsp Cumin seeds
½ tsp mustard seeds
¼ tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp oil
2-3 cups water
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
Salt as per taste


Method:-

1) Add besan to water and mix well so as to make it lump free mixture.
2) Heat oil in pan / kadai.
3) Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Wait till they splutter and then add green chillies, curry leaves, and chopped garlic. Once the garlic changes to light brown, add the chopped onions. Fry till they become translucent.
4) Add tomato and cook till it turns soft.
5) Now add the besan water mixture and stir well.
6) Add salt as required and turmeric and keep stirring at intervals (Continuous stirring will avoid formation of lumps)
7) Cook for 5-10 mins.
8) Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve piping hot with Bhakri / Roti / Rice.


Tip: - Adjust the besan proportion to the required consistency. Remember that after the Pithla cools, it becomes thicker.