Ingredients

• For Filling:
• Black gram (urad) dal - 1 cup
• Onion - 1/2 cup, finely chopped
• Green chillies - 3, finely chopped
• Ginger - 1 tsp, minced
• Black peppercorns - 1/2 tsp, crushed
• Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp, chopped
• Cooking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• For Covering:
• Semolina - 2 cups
• Water - 4 cups
• Salt to taste

How to Make Biri Pitha

• For Filling:
• Soak dal in water for 3-4 hours. Drain well.
• Add salt and grind into a stiff smooth batter, using very little ice cold water. This will prevent the dal from getting hot when ground in mixer and keeps it light.
• Add rest of the ingredients.
• For Covering:
• Boil water with salt.
• Add semolina, a little at a time, stirring all the time.
• Cook till it forms a firm paste.
• Cool and knead till smooth like chapatti dough (sprinkle some water if necessary).
• Divide the covering into lime sized balls and shape them into tiny cups.
• Place some filling in the centre.
• Pleat the sides to partially enclose the filling.
• Steam them for 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with chutney.