Pati Shapta Pithe (Traditional Bengali Sweet)

          This is a traditional home made Bengali dessert usually prepared during the festival of Sankranti. In simple terms, they are pancakes / crepes stuffed with a filling of grated fresh coconut and khoya. I took the liberty of adding some powdered cashew nut for some added flavour.

         There are many varieties of Pithe made during this occasion. Some are deep fried and then dipped in sugar syrup and some are simply steamed. Traditionally, khejurer Gur (Date Palm Jaggery) is used in this recipe, but it can be substituted with plain sugar. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

Batter - 

• 1/2 cup rice flour (makes around 7)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 
• 1/4 cup semolina
• 2 tbsp. sugar 
• 2 tbsp. powdered cashew powder (opt)
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• milk as required

Filling -

• 1 tbsp. ghee 
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
• 1 cup khoya
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. kewra water (opt)
• sugar to taste
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• oil / ghee to grease the pan

           For the batter - mix together all the mentioned ingredients with required quantity of milk. Keep aside for 30 minutes. If needed add water to make the consistency a semi liquid batter of pouring consistency. Keep aside.

          For the stuffing - Heat ghee in a non-stick pan and sauté the coconut till it changes colour. Then add the khoya, cardamom powder, kewra water and sugar to taste.

           Sauté on a low flame till it is thick and starts to leave the sides of the pan . Switch off the flame and add the pistachios. Keep aside to cool.

          Smear a non-stick tawa / griddle with a little oil / ghee and pour a ladleful of the batter. Spread it around by tilting the tawa. Add few drops of oil around the edges and let it cook for  few seconds.

          Add a heaped tbsp. of the filling lengthwise in the center of the pancake and roll it over. Press it gently and take off the fire. 

          Make similar patishapta pithe with the remaining batter.  Serve as desired. Another great option is to relish with some rabri drizzled over it for that ultimate sweet experience.

                      Mix all ingredients with some milk. Keep aside for 30 mins. If needed 

                      add water to make a semi liquid batter. Keep aside.

                  Heat ghee in a non-stick pan & sauté coconut till it changes colour. Add
                  khoya, cardamom powder, kewra water & sugar to taste. Sauté till it is 
                  thick. Switch off flame & add pistachios. Keep aside to cool.
                  

                    Smear a non-stick tawa with little oil / ghee & pour a ladleful of batter. 
                    Spread it by tilting tawa. Add few drops of oil around edges & let it cook
                    for few seconds. Add heaped tbsp. of filling lengthwise in the centre of
                    the pancake.....

                                 ......and roll it over. 

                                  Press it gently and take off the fire. 

                                  Make similar patishapta pithe with the rest of the batter.

                      Serve as desired. Another great option is to relish with some rabri drizzled 
                      over it for that ultimate sweet experience.