Today I am sharing a very simple and delicious delicacy from the state of Odisha. I have always been intrigued by the simplicity of the flavors in their cuisine .The emphasis is always on locally available ingredients.This is one of the traditional recipe made during Raja Festival.Odia Amba Poda Pitha is a delicious delicacy.It requires very Minimal Ingredients. There are so many festivals in India .Raja Parba is celebrated in Odisha.Mithuna Sankranti is a three-day-long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha, India. The second day of the festival signifies beginning of the solar month of Mithuna from, which the season of rains starts. This recipe is from my good friend Alka who blogs at Culinaryxpress. I have tweaked a little to suit our palate.
What is Raja Parba?
The term Raja came from the Sanskrit word ‘Rajas’ which means menstruation and when a woman menstruates, she is called ‘Rajaswala’ or a menstruating woman, and in medieval times the festival became more popular as an agricultural holiday marking the worship of Bhudevi, who is the wife of lord Jagannath.It is believed that the mother Goddess Earth or the divine wife of Lord Vishnu undergoes menstruation during the first three days. The fourth day is called Vasumati Snana, or ceremonial bath of Bhudevi. Source
What is the theme for Shhhhh Cooking?
The theme for the month of May was Odia Pitha Series Suggested by Sasmita. I was very excited to learn about a new dish and also the history associated with it. Sasmita has made this delicious Chandrakanti Pitha.My Partner Narmadha who blogs at Nams Corner gave me two secret ingredients Cinnamon and Ghee. I gave her two ingredients Urad dal and Green Chilli. She has whipped up this delicious savoury Pitha.
Ingredients for Odia Amba Poda Pitha:
Rice Rava
Mango Pulp
Coconut Sugar
Cardamom Powder
Ghee
Black Pepper Powder
Salt
Recipe for Odia Amba Poda Pitha:
Author: Preethi Prasad
Prep Time : 10 Mins
Cook Time : 25 Mins
Total Time : 35 mins
Course : Dessert
Cuisine :Indian
Ingredients for Odia Amba Poda Pitha:
1 and 1/4 Cups Coarse Rice Flour (Rice Rava)
2 Cups Mango Puree
1/4 Tsp Salt
4 Tsp Coconut Sugar
1/4 Tsp Cardamom Powder
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
2 Tsp Ghee
Method:
Make a puree of the mango pulp and keep it aside.
Add the rice rava slowly to the puree. The consistency should neither be too thin nor too thick.
Now add coconut sugar ,black pepper powder , salt and ghee and mix well.
Heat the banana leaf slightly over the gas stove to make it soft.
Place this banana leaf in the cooker and smear some ghee over it.
Pour this rice and mango mixture . Cover the lid and take off the whistle.
Cook on slow flame for about 25 minutes.
Turn off the heat. Insert a knife to check.If it comes out clean it is done if not cook for another 5 mins.
Allow it to cool completely. Mildly sweet amba poda pitha is ready.
Bottom will be slightly charred. Slice and serve.
Notes:
Wash and soak rice for about 4-5 hours.
Drain and spread it on a clean towel and let it dry for about 3-4 hours or overnight.
Grind the rice to get the rava texture and store in an air tight container.
You can substitute jackfruit puree instead of Mango Puree.
Such a flavorful Amba poda pitha with mango puree and coconut sugar. The texture looks so soft, almost like a cake. Preethi can one make it without the banana leaf?
Amba Potha pitha is the perfect post for the season. Sounds delectable and looks spongy ,just like a cake. Would give it a try before mangoes disappear from the market.
Amba Poda looks and sounds so very yum! Absolutely love the flavours here. This recipe is similar to the Goan Dhonas made from jackfruit. The moment you said to use jackfruit it jogged my memory. Strange 2 coasts of India but similar recipes. I must try making yum poda.
Amba Poda Pitha is a new dish for me to try out.. sounds like a delicious steamed cake .. since it is mango season here, I can try it soon.. can I cook the batter in a cake pan kept inside the pressure cooker?
This mango-flavored sweet pitha looks so delicious. I like the golden color of mango puree. Also, I would definitely try the jackfruit version as well.
Amba poda pitha looking very delicious with inviting presentation. I will try this before mango season ends. Loved adding coconut sugar, back pepper and mango test in this sweet.
That looks like a flavorful treat with mangoes, jaggery, and coconut. Streamed in banana leaves makes it even more delicious. Can’t wait to try it out soon.
Amba PodaPitha looks awesome. Traditional festive sweets have a divine taste. I love mango sweets and will try it before the mangoes disappear.
I loved this mango flavored pitha variety. Looks absolutely delectable! I would definitely give it a try soon.
Such a flavorful Amba poda pitha with mango puree and coconut sugar. The texture looks so soft, almost like a cake. Preethi can one make it without the banana leaf?
Yes you can. Just like you steam
Idli.Thank you .
Amba Potha pitha is the perfect post for the season. Sounds delectable and looks spongy ,just like a cake. Would give it a try before mangoes disappear from the market.
Amba Poda looks and sounds so very yum! Absolutely love the flavours here. This recipe is similar to the Goan Dhonas made from jackfruit. The moment you said to use jackfruit it jogged my memory. Strange 2 coasts of India but similar recipes. I must try making yum poda.
I liked the recipe very much, shall try it sooner!
Thank you Soma. Would love to hear from you whenever you try this recipe.
Amba Poda Pitha is a new dish for me to try out.. sounds like a delicious steamed cake .. since it is mango season here, I can try it soon.. can I cook the batter in a cake pan kept inside the pressure cooker?
I am loving the use of mango puree here. A must try this summers. It looks so nice and fluffy too.
This mango-flavored sweet pitha looks so delicious. I like the golden color of mango puree. Also, I would definitely try the jackfruit version as well.
Amba poda pitha looking very delicious with inviting presentation. I will try this before mango season ends. Loved adding coconut sugar, back pepper and mango test in this sweet.
wow what a fusion here ! this is such a flavorful amba poda pitha with mango puree. The pitha looks so soft, almost like a cake shape
Amba Poda Pitha looks so delicious and so rightly made with mango during the season. Loved it, will make this one soon.
That looks like a flavorful treat with mangoes, jaggery, and coconut. Streamed in banana leaves makes it even more delicious. Can’t wait to try it out soon.
Wow, the pitha looks like a cake. I will love to try my hands at this any day. I love the way it is topped with coconut and the golden colour inside.
Looks very yummy and nice. It’s a new dish for me. Will definitely try out this recipe. Thanks for sharing.