In rural India, villagers with limited resources are provided much needed relief from the cold by the bonfires. It is still very popular way of entertainment during winters in my village areas. While the charm of the bonfire has faded a bit with many young people busy with their mobile. At the same time there are few who manages to make the most of the bonfire and enjoy the moment. There were many nostalgic memory that I lived in my childhood and now again I experienced them after a long time.
As said, Bonfires used to be the wintertime hubs of entertainment in rural areas. A happy crowd gathering around bonfire was a normal sight late into the evening. Small gathering at shorter distances or every second home is what people likes to enjoy. They used to pretty occupied with each others with gossips,stories and more importantly savouring baked and sweet potatoes and other dishes on the burning woods. Winter being potatos season so fresh potatoes from.the fields and baking them on woods makes it taste better.
However, we made a seperste arrangement. Litti-Chokha our local cuisines being the common dishes that easily been made on the bonfire. And this is what we did last evening while escaping from the chill of the winter. Revisting the old childhood memories is alwsys fascinating and I get it at the right time. Winter chillness knocks in our area at the right time. The time of year end and winter chill and above that weekend is what made it very special.
Getting the opportunities, we made all the arrangement. While Litti- Chokha is the last minute addition to our list. While sitting around the fire, we felt hungry and decided to compensate with litti chokha. This is a our local dishes and does not required much preparation. It only require,
- wheat flour
- sattu for stuffing (Sattu is a protein rich flour made from powdered chana (Bengal gram))
- onion, salt ginger and few other species.
- Pure Ghee.
All the species were mixed with sattu and then stuffed into the kneaded wheat flour to make round balls. We then bake them in the bonfire. It is as easy as it can be. This kneaded round balls are called litti. To give it a company, we made use of the baked potatoes, and meshed them properly. Few make use of the eggplant too. This is termed as Choka. On proper baking this will appear as hot baked round balls.
One can savour them, as it is or can make use of the Ghee for an added taste. I think that this cuisine might have originated decades ago over a Bonfire only. As it does not require much effort and can easily be made while enjoying the warmth of the fire. It is quite a popular dish in our area.
Litti-chokha is a dish for the bonfire. We thoroughly enjoyed them. In a way it was the begining of new year celebrstion. A first small party over a Bonfire. This is bonfire is so importsnt for winter. It helps in building a strong community and a good understanding among people. For more on the recipe in the village style, you can refer this blog on Litti-chokha
It was perfect late night outing in the neighbourhood. Making it a nostalgic moments which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is pure fun of living in the village and enjoying the authentic village life.
