Pitha is not only a traditional food item in Bangladesh; but also a part of the life and culture of Bengalis. Especially, the rural people of Bangladesh maintain the tradition of baking various kinds of pithas. Most pithas are seasonal and usually prepared in the winter months as the required ingredients are widely available this part of the year. However, those who are suffering from diabetes cannot eat pithas prepared with sugar or molasses (gur). We are here with 5 winter pitha recipes for diabetics.
Recipes of 5 Winter Pithas for Diabetic People
Kheer Patishapta
Patishapta is a thin crepe-type pitha that is very special to the Bengalis. This pitha is always heated but it is more special in the winter because of its ingredients.
Ingredients
For the batter
1 cup rice flour, 1/4 all-purpose flour, 1 cup liquid milk
For the stuffing
2-liter milk, 2 tbsp rice flour, Chopped dried nuts, pista, almonds, walnut, and raisins
Method
First, prepare a thin batter with the batter ingredients. Make sure the batter won't be too runny or too thin. The batter needs to be free-flowing. When the batter preparation is done, cover and keep it aside for at least 1 and a half hours.
Now prepare the stuffing. Heat the milk and keep stirring until it is reduced to half. Then add the milk mixed with the rice flour. Keep stirring until the milk thickens. Now mix nuts and raisins. Remove from heat and let it cool. Now take a non-stick pan and sprinkle a little oil on the surface. Take a small amount of batter with a spoon and spread it on its hot surface in round shapes. Put two spoonfuls of stuffing on the side of the pitha and roll it into a cylindrical shape. Serve hot.
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Bhapa Puli
Ingredients
1 cup rice flour, 3/4 cup water, Salt to taste
For the filling
2 cups grated coconut, ½ cup of liquid milk
Method
First, prepare the filling by cooking the coconut and milk together. You can add very little sugar or gur to make the filling sticky. Now, make the dough. To prepare the dough just boil 3/4th cup of water with salt and add the rice flour when the water boils well. Mix the flour well. When it is almost done, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Squeeze the dough well and then prepare a big medium thick roti. Cut the roti into small rotis using any round-shaped object. Place filling in the center of each small rotis and seal the edge with your fingertip. When all pithas are ready, steam them for 3-4 minutes on a steamer. You can put a little oil in the water.
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Dudh Chitoi Pitha
Ingredients
1 cup rice flour, 1/2 cup white rice flour,1 and 1/2 cups warm Water, Salt to taste, 2-3 cardamoms, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 liters milk
Method
First, make the batter with rice flour, warm water, and a pinch of salt. Don’t make the batter too thick or too thin. Remember, you need to make sure of the perfect consistency of the batter to make perfect ChitoiPitha.
Now heat the clay pot. You can use an iron wok also. Make sure the pot or wok is very hot. Lubricate the wok with little oil. Then pour some batter, wait a half minute, and cover the wok.
Cook the pitha at low flame for 3 to 4 minutes. Cook one side and after 3 minutes uncover it. If the pitha is okay, loosen the edges around the pitha from the wok with a knife and take it out. Prepare all pithas following the same process.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a large pan. Add cardamom and cinnamon. Reduce the milk to half and turn off the stove. Now instantly add the warm pitha into the warm milk. Cover the pan and let the pithas be soaked the whole night or at least for 5 to 6 hours.
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Chita Pitha
Ingredients
1 cup rice flour, 1/4 cup plain flour, 2 cup water, Salt to taste, Oil for brush the pen
Method
First, take rice flour, water, and salt to a bowl and mix them well. Prepare a smooth batter with them. Keep the batter aside to rest on. Now, take a pan, heat it to medium flame, and brush oil in the pan. Spray batter on the pan with your hand and wait for a few seconds. When the pitha seems to be okay, remove it from the pan carefully. Enjoy the heat.
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Sugar-free Sandesh
Ingredients
Paneer: 2050g, Warm Milk: ½ cup, SugarFree liquid:10-12 drops or any other sugar, Cardamom powder: ¼ tsp, Ghee: 2 tsp
Method
First, clean store-bought paneer under running water and cut it into small pieces. Dive the paneer cubes into warm milk for 10 mins to make them soften. They make a smooth puree with the paneer and milk using a blender.
Put the puree in a nonstick pan and keep stirring for 4 to 5 mins on the lowest possible flame. Increase the flame and keep stirring the mixture until the mixture leaves the pan without leaving any trail of liquid. Add sugar-free liquid and cardamom powder.
Cover the pan and allow it to come to room temperature. Take the mixture on a plate and knead the mixture well. Add 1-2 tbsp ghee to form smooth balls. You can give your preferred shape. Now your sugar-free Sandesh is ready.
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Bottom Line
In Bangladesh, winter is cozy to enjoy any food item, especially pithas. As pitha is closely associated with Bengali culture, everyone loves to prepare various types of pithas and likes to enjoy them with family, friends, and relatives. But, if you suffer from diabetes, you have huge restrictions on taking foods. So, our above-described 5 diabetic-friendly pitha recipes will help you enjoy winter pitha without hurting your health condition.