Recipe: An Authentic Rajasthani Besan Dumpling Curry
40 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
23
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
Pitod ki sabzi recipe is a hearty dumpling curry that is made with the Western region’s favourite ingredient – besan. The roasted gram flour is turned into dumplings and simmered in a yoghurt-based gravy. There is also ghee and a short list of whole spices, with this dish coming together without onion, tomatoes, or any fresh produce. In a desert state where vegetables have been historically scarce, this dish is a remarkably ingenious example of Rajasthani cuisine.
The pitods or the besan dumplings or besan katli are soft, and look like smaller barfis (or katlis) that are cake-like in texture, and savoury. These are made by cooking a spiced flour batter until it thickens and sets. Once cooled and cut, these cakes are simmered in a tangy, yogurt-based gravy tempered with cumin, kasuri methi, hing, and green chillies. Learning how to make pitod ki sabzi well is about two things: getting the besan batter smooth and lump-free, and keeping the yogurt gravy from curdling.
This pitod ki sabzi recipe is often compared to gatte ki sabzi, the more well-known Rajasthani besan curry, but Pitod has a softer, more delicate texture and a thinner, lighter gravy. It is sattvic, meaning, it is naturally onion-garlic free, making it a popular choice for Jain tithi days and Paryushan. The curry tends to thicken as it cools, so it recommended you warm it with a bit of hot water before serving. Pair with steamed rice or phulka roti for the most authentic Rajasthani experience.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
½ cup Besan (chickpea flour) For the Besan Katli (Pitods)
¼ tspTurmeric powder
½ tspRed chilli powder
½ tsp Garam masala
¼ tspAjwain (carom seeds)
a pinchHing (asafoetida)
½ tsp Salt
2 cupsWater
2 cupsCurd (slightly sour, at room temperature) For the Curry
Take a large mixing bowl, mix besan with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, ajwain, hing, and salt. Add 2 cups of water in small batches and whisk until a completely smooth, lump-free, watery batter forms.
Description - Step 2
Step 2: Cook the Pitods (Besan Katli)
Pour the besan batter into a kadai and set over a low to medium flame. Stir continuously without stopping. Around the 8 minute mark, the mixture will begin to thicken and begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Transfer onto a greased plate and spread evenly using a spatula and let it cool completely at room temperature.
Description - Step 3
Step 3: Cut and Set Aside
Once the besan mixture has cooled and set, cut into diamond or square-shaped pieces of roughly equal size. Keep aside.
Description - Step 4
Step 4: Prepare the Yoghurt Mixture
Take a bowl, mix the sour curd with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and ginger paste. Whisk until completely smooth.
Description - Step 5
Step 5: Make the Curry
Heat ghee in a kadai over medium flame. Add cumin seeds, kasuri methi, hing, and slit green chillies. Sauté until the spices crackle and turn aromatic. Reduce the flame to low, then add the yoghurt mixture. Stir continuously, until the mixture comes to a slow boil and the ghee begins to separate. Add the roasted besan and salt, and cook for another 3 minutes until the gravy thickens.
Description - Step 6
Step 6: Add the Pitods and Simmer
Carefully add the pitod pieces into the gravy. Mix carefully so they don't break. Cover and simmer on a low flame for 5 minutes. Finish with chopped fresh coriander and serve hot.
Pitod uses steamed besan sheets cut into cubes, while gatte ki sabzi uses boiled gram-flour dumplings. Both are Rajasthani curries, but differ mainly in dumpling texture and preparation.
Dal Baati Churma is widely regarded as the signature or ‘national’ dish of Rajasthan, combining lentils, baked wheat dumplings, and sweet crushed wheat with ghee.
The most iconic Rajasthani dish is Dal Baati Churma, famous for its rich flavor, heavy use of ghee, and traditional association with Rajasthani culture and hospitality.
Staple foods in Rajasthan include bajra roti, besan-based dishes, lentils, and dairy. Popular everyday items include gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, bajra roti, and dal baati churma.