Home > Society > Food in India > Manda Pitha
Manda Pitha
Manda Pitha is like a cake routinely prepared and served in Oriya homes.

Share this Article:

Manda Pitha, Oriya RecipeManda pitha is a steamed pitha which is popular in the Odisha state of India. The sweet is also known as modak in some parts of India. Besides normal days, the sweet is also prepared during festivals. The recipe is a delight for the calorie conscious people as it is a steamed preparation.

Ingredients of Manda Pitha

•1 cup rice soaked overnight
•3 cups water
•1 tsp. sugar
•1/2 tsp. salt

For Filling:

•3/4 cup dry homemade cheese
•3/4 cup freshly grated coconut
•1/2 cup sugar
•6 cardamom seeds crushed

Method of Preparing Manda Pitha

•Put all the ingredients for filling in a pan and fry for 4-5 minutes.
•Blend water and soaked rice together until paste is very smooth.
•Put the paste in a deep non-stick pan and keep it medium heat with constant stirring until dough is dry and soft.
•Take it out, cover it and let it cook.
•Make 15-16 balls out of the dough.
•For each ball, put the filling inside and shape it into smooth manda.
•Tie a cloth over the mouth of a deep pan filled with water and heat this on medium-high.
•Put all manda on top of the cloth.
•Cover and steam it for 20-25 minutes until mandas are cooked properly.
•Serve

Another method of preparing manda pitha with slight change in the ingredients and preparation method:

Manda Pitha, Oriya Recipe Ingredients of Manda Pitha

•2 cup crushed rice
•3 cup water
•1 cup grated coconut
•3/4 cup jaggery
•5-6 crushed cardamom
•1tbsp oil
•2-4 freshly crushed black pepper
•1/2 inch grated ginger
•1tbsp sugar
•1/2tbsp salt

Method of Preparing Manda Pitha

•For the stuffing, heat shredded coconut and jaggery in a pan. As the japery starts to melt a little, add the crushed cardamom, black pepper, and grated ginger. Cook for few minute and mix well. Divide it into 10 parts
•For the dough heat the water in a pan and bring it to boil. Add salt and sugar to the water and let it boil for 1 minute.
•Take a small amount of crushed rice, mix it with water and turn into a smooth paste and pour into the boiling water. Now add all the rice powder, give it a stir to make sure there are no lumps.
•Cover and let it cook for couple of minutes.
•Remove the cover and keep cooking while continuously stirring till all the water is soaked in and the dough is complete dry.
•Remove from heat and let it cool down for few minutes.
•When the dough reaches room temperature, knead it into soft dough by adding 1 tbsp of oil.
•Divide the dough into 10 balls and flatten them using hands.
•Place one part of the stuffing in the centre of the flattened dough and carefully close it, forming a ball again.
•Steam all the pitha balls for 5-6 minutes.
•Add 4 cups of water into the cooker and put it on "keep warm" mode.
•Place the balls on the plastic steamer that comes with the cooker and change the setting from "keep warm" to "smart steam" for 5 minutes.
•Once the timer is up the pitha is done.
•Serve.

Manda pitha can be consumed steaming hot or cold. It can be eaten as a single dish and can also be teamed up with dalma.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Food in India


West Indian Cuisine
West Indian Cuisine reveals a vibrant choice of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
Food in Ancient India
Food in Ancient India has been largely agro based as the society in India in the ancient times was primarily agro based. The food of ancient India reflects the culture of Indian people.
Food in Indus Valley civilization
Food in Indus Valley civilization largely depicts the agrarian culture of ancient India. As this had been one of the earliest civilisations of India, it followed some of the trends of early civilizations that resided in India before the Indus Valley civilization.
Delhi Cuisine
Delhi Cuisine has been influenced by the Mughal emperors. Old Delhi is known for both vegetarian and non vegetarian cuisine.
Indian Food
Indian Food is an essential part of India’s culture, with cuisines differing according to caste, community, region and state.
Cuisine of Sikkim
Cuisine of Sikkim comprise of cuisines of various groups like Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis. In Sikkim, Rice is the staple food along with several vegetables. Fermentation forms an important part of the cooking culture of this state.
Use of Spices in Ancient India
Use of Spices in Ancient India indicates the prevalence of spicy food popular at the time.
Cuisine of Haryana
Cuisine of Haryana is pure and nutritious. The Haryanvis prefer simple foods that are wholesome and fresh.
Jowar - Staple Food Grain
Jowar is one of the highly cultivated Indian crops next to wheat in India. Regur soil and alluvium soil are favourable for the cultivation of this crop.
Indian Spices
India is the Home of Spices. It is ideal for the growth of almost all spices.
History of Indian Food
History of Indian Food has been a major part of Indian society which describes the evolution of Indian food habits in different ages.
Cuisine of Chattisgarh
The cuisine of Chhattisgarh serves a wide range of mouth watering dishes. The cuisine also comprises of some uncommon dishes which are not found in rest of India.
Indian Vegetable Dishes
Indian Vegetable Dishes bring to the fore an array of mouth watering delicacies which serves the Epicureans delight of the food lovers.
Indian Sweets
Indian Sweets are usually known as Mithai. They diverge in tastes, aromas, shapes and colours. They are an indispensable part of Indian culture during auspicious occasions.
Indian Regional Cuisines
The intriguing style of different cooking style contributes to the diversity of the Indian regional cuisines.
Halwa
Halwa is a traditional sweet dish made in India and many other countries.
Indian Festive Foods
Indian Festive foods augmenting the richness of Indian festivals, have gained popularity.
Ancient Buddhist Cuisine
Ancient Buddhist Cuisine has been well described in the early Buddhist works in which food has been classified into four categories.
Dal Pitha
Dal Pitha is a traditional Cuisine of Bihar which can be had at anytime. It is a rice flour dimsum stuffed with chana dal and is usually served with chutney.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a legendary plant bearing umpteen essential properties of utilisation in daily life in cooking and cosmetic.
Indian Chefs
Indian Chefs are the people working behind the unmatched food quality of unlimited varieties in different parts of India.