Maharashtrian Besan Pitla or Spicy Chickpea Flour Mash
This is a perfect side for Bhakri (made with millet flour). Besan Pitla is a Maharashtrian dish made with chickpea flour. It's easy to make & very delicious.
In a deep bowl or vessel, add water, paprika and turmeric powder. Stir it all together till it dissolves in the water.
Then gradually add the roasted chickpea flour to it. Blend it in with a whisk and ensure there are no lumps formed.
To make Pitla
Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
Once they begin to crackle, add chopped garlic and check till it becomes light golden.
Then add a finely chopped jalapeno along with chopped onions, paprika and turmeric powder.
Saute till the onions becomes translucent. Now add the flour batter to the pan and quickly mix it. Add salt too at this point.
Lower the flame and cook it covered for 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken and become a lump. Once the mixture doesn't stick to the pan anymore, consider it done.
Garnish it with chopped cilantro.
Serve Maharashtrian Besan Pitla with bhakri (most preferred combo) but it tastes good with any bread or rice. Spread it on a bread and enjoy it like a sandwich or use it as a dip.
Notes
For this recipe, its advisable to use roasted chickpea flour as it gives more flavor and omits the raw flavor. Just heat a dry pan and add chickpea flour in it. Roast it for 2-4 minutes on low flame. Be careful to not burn it. You can even roast the flour in advance and store it in an airtight container.
This step is important - After adding the batter to the pan, the mixture will begin to thicken and become a lump. Once the mixture doesn't stick to the pan anymore, consider it done.
Add green chillies if a jalapeno is too much.
Adjust paprika based on your spice tolerance level.
Do not skip adding garlic, it gives this dish a nice flavor.