Designer Patishapta Pitha (Stuffed Crepes - Bengali Style)

          These beautiful stuffed patterned Crepes known as Patishapta Pithe is a traditional homemade Bengali sweet usually prepared during the festival of Sankranti. It is also very popular in Bangladesh. They are crepes made of rice flour-plain flour and stuffed with fresh coconut and khoya (thickened milk). It is sometimes sweetened with date palm jaggery instead of sugar.

           However, in this recipe I stuffed with semolina-coconut halwa. You can stuff it with some store bought kalakand for an instant version. Give a designer look to it by forming some beautiful patterns to make them look appealing and appetizing. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 cup rice flour (makes 8 )
• 1/2 cup plain flour (maida)
• 2 tbsp. semolina
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 & 3/4 cup water
• 1 tsp. melted ghee
• 1-2 drops of red, green & yellow colour
• ghee to grease
• 1 & 1/2 cup stuffing 

          In a bowl, mix together all the above mentioned ingredients (except the stuffing) into a smooth semi thick batter. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

          In 3 small bowls, take a ladleful of the batter. In each of it add the 3 different colours. Mix well and keep aside. Fill the coloured batter into piping bags / bottle.

           Heat a non-stick pan / tawa and grease with some ghee. Now make a pattern of your choice with the coloured batter. Cover with a lid for a few seconds till the batter is set.

          Pour a ladleful of the white batter and spread it around over the pattern so as to cover it. Cover and cook for a few seconds more.

          Place some of the stuffing lengthwise in one corner and fold gently like a roll. Transfer to a serving plate. Make similar designer pitha and relish as and when desired. 

                                 Make a pattern of your choice with the coloured batter. Cover
                                 with a lid for a few seconds till the batter is set.

                              Pour a ladleful of the white batter & spread it around over the 
                              pattern to cover it. Cover & cook for a few seconds more.

                                      Place some of the stuffing lengthwise in one corner.

  
                                         Fold gently like a roll. 

                                  Serve as desired.

Sugar Free Patishapta Pitha (Bengali Sweet)

          All the weight watchers out there, no need to despair. Now you can indulge in some sugar free sweets guilt free. Let me share this healthy and yummy Bengali Sankranti special patishapta pithe - fusion style. I have not added any sugar or artificial colour. It only has the goodness of fruits and can be relished as and when desired.

          The pithe is made up of whole wheat flour, semolina and pureed apples, whereas the stuffing is that of homemade paneer and dates puree. How is that? It is a diabetic friendly sweet and can be made a day in advance. So do give it a try by following a step by step pictorial recipe. "Happy Indulgence."

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup semolina
• pinch of salt
• 2 apples, grated
• paneer made from 1&1/2 litres milk
• 20-25 dates, soaked in warm water for an hour and pureed
• 1 tbsp. mixed nuts, chopped
• 1 tsp. rose / kewra water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 cup milk
• water as needed
• 1-2 dates, chopped to garnish (opt)
• few chopped apple to garnish (opt)
• oil to shallow fry

           In a pan cook the grated apple along with some water till it is soft. Set aside to cool and then blend into a puree.

           Make a batter with the apple puree, whole wheat flour, semolina, pinch of salt, half of the cardamom powder, rose water, milk and required quantity of water. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Adjust water accordingly as the batter should be of pouring consistency.

          Mix  the pureed dates, paneer and chopped nuts (save some to garnish). Keep aside. 

           Heat a non-stick pan and pour a ladleful of the batter. Spread it into a round circle. Cook on a low flame on both sides. Take some of the paneer mix and place them lengthwise. 

          Gently fold the pancake and transfer to a plate. Make similar patishapta pithe with the remaining batter and the stuffing.

          Garnish with the remaining nuts, chopped dates and chopped apples. Serve at room temperature or chilled. 

                     Make a batter with apple puree, whole wheat flour, semolina, pinch of 
                     salt, half of cardamom powder, rose water, milk & some water. Keep 
                     aside for 15-20 minutes. 

                                Mix the pureed dates, paneer and chopped nuts. Keep aside. 

  
                     Heat a non-stick pan & pour a ladleful of batter. Spread into a round
                     circle. Cook on low flame on both sides. Take some paneer mix &
                     place them lengthwise. 

                     Fold the pancake & transfer to a plate. Make similar patishapta 
                     pithe with the remaining batter and the stuffing.

                        Garnish with the remaining nuts, chopped dates & chopped apples. 
                        Serve at room temperature or chilled.