Raja Parba Special: Try Suji Manda Pitha Recipe

Bhubaneswar: Suji Manda Pitha is a recipe from Orissa which is essentially sweetened Coconut Stuffed Semolina Dumplings. Suji Manda Pithas are deep-fried semolina dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery. This authentic and traditional Pitha is made during festivals and special occasions in Orissa.

Ingredients

Ingredients For The Dough

• 2 cups Sooji (Semolina/ Rava)
• 4 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Ghee
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 pinch Salt
•  2 Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds
• Oil, or ghee for deep frying

Ingredients For Stuffing

• 2 cups Fresh coconut, grated
• 1/4 cup Jaggery
• 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper powder
• 1 tablespoon Ghee
•  2 tablespoons Cashew nuts, and few chopped Raisins

Directions To make Suji Manda Pitha/Sweetened Coconut Stuffed Semolina Dumplings

1. To prepare Suji Manda Pitha/Sweetened Coconut Stuffed Semolina Dumplings Recipe, first prep up with all the ingredients mentioned.
2. For preparing the dough we need to take water, salt, sugar and cardamom in a heavy-bottomed pan and boil till the sugar dissolves.
3. Add 1 tablespoon ghee, lower the flame and slowly add the Suji or Rawa stirring constantly so that lumps are not formed.
4. Keep stirring till the mixture becomes a thick and lumpy mass and is sticky.
5. This will take around 2 minutes and let me remind you that this stirring could be strenuous.
6. Take it off from the flame and keep it aside till the mix is warm and easy to work on.
7. Meanwhile, to prepare to fill, add 1 tablespoon ghee to a heated pan and fry the freshly grated coconut on low flame till light brown.
8. Add jaggery, cardamom, and black pepper powder and fry till the jaggery melts and coats the grated coconut.
9. Finally, add the cashews and raisins and fry for a minute and switch off the flame and keep this coconut filling aside.
10. Take a spoon of ghee, add it to the prepared warm semolina dough and knead it to form a dough.
11. Make even balls from the dough, flatten it on your palm, make a depression and stuff some coconut filling in it.
12. Then close it from all sides making a ball, flatten it a little bit with the palm of your hand.
13. Form Suji Manda Pitha with the rest of the dough and stuffing and deep fry them in batches in hot ghee or oil till golden brown.
14. Serve Suji Manda Pitha/Sweetened Coconut Stuffed Semolina Dumplings Recipe during tea time or as dessert to end a festive meal.