Sijha Manda Pitha (Steamed Stuffed Rice Flour Pithas)

Happy Raja to all my blogger and non-blogger readers. Raja is a four day long Odia festival.
Second day being the Raja Sankranti or Mithuna Sankranti which signifies the solar month of mithuna(Gemini) from which the rainy season starts.

During the first three days women are given a break from household work and time to play indoor and outdoor games. Unmarried girls decorate themselves beautifully. Girls play  swings, cards and Ludo.
Generally various Pithas are prepared during these days, Poda Pitha being the special one.

Today I am preparing Sijha Manda Pitha which is a steamed Pitha and resembles to Modak. Stuffing is of Grated coconut,Chenna,Jaggery or Sugar,Cardamom Powder. Although I have used here sugar but for a burnt brown colour u can use jaggery.

Ingredients:

For Stuffing

1 coconut Grated
1 cup of Chenna(optional)
6-7 Tbsp Sugar(or as per taste)/Jaggery
1/2 Tsp Cardamom Powder
1/4 Tsp Black pepper Powder

For outer Covering
2 cups Rice flour
4 cups Water
1/4 tsp Salt

For the stuffing take a pan Put coconut, chenna and sugar and cook for 5-6 minutes.Add black pepper powder and cardamom powder and switch off the flame.
Now let the stuffing mixture cool for sometime.

For  making chenna you can curdle the milk using vinegar or lemon. Strain the curdled cheese and your chenna is ready. Wash the chenna in cold water to get rid of vinegar or lemon smell before straining.

Now for the outer covering take a pan add 2 cups of water and salt. Let it boil. Now slow the flame to minimum and add rice flour slowly till it soaks up all the water.
Now switch off the flame and cover this mixture and let it cool.
Make ball out of it and stuff the stuffing mixture and steam it for 15 minutes inside a steamer or idly cooker.

Enjoy a healthy desert which is steamed yet really delicious.