Bihari Recipes Vegetarian: Authentic Flavorful Dishes

Bihar, a culturally rich state in eastern India, is renowned for its vibrant and flavorful cuisine. While Bihari non-vegetarian dishes often steal the limelight, the vegetarian recipes from this region are equally delightful and packed with wholesome ingredients.

These dishes are a beautiful blend of rustic flavors, fresh spices, and traditional cooking techniques that highlight the essence of Bihar’s agricultural bounty. Whether you’re a vegetarian looking to explore Indian regional cuisine or simply want to add some new, hearty dishes to your meal plan, Bihari vegetarian recipes will surprise and satisfy with their simplicity and depth.

From the comforting litti chokha to the rich and spicy dalpuri, Bihari vegetarian fare is a celebration of earthy flavors and nutritional goodness. In this blog, we’ll explore some iconic vegetarian recipes from Bihar, guiding you through their preparation with detailed instructions and tips to help you recreate these authentic dishes in your own kitchen.

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that brings the heart of Bihar to your dining table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bihari vegetarian recipes are a wonderful way to experience the rich heritage of Indian cuisine without compromising on flavor or nutrition. These dishes:

• Use simple, fresh ingredients that are easy to find in most markets.
• Offer a balance of proteins, carbs, and spices that nourish and satisfy.
• Feature distinctive spices and cooking methods unique to Bihar’s culinary tradition.
• Are versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Bring a warm, rustic charm to your meals, perfect for family gatherings or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Litti (Stuffed Wheat Balls)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (for dough)
• 1 cup sattu (roasted gram flour)
• 2 tbsp mustard oil
• 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1 tsp kalonji (nigella seeds)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp crushed ginger
• 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• Salt to taste
• Warm water, to knead dough

Chokha (Mashed Vegetables)

• 2 medium-sized roasted eggplants
• 2 medium-sized boiled potatoes
• 1 large tomato, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp mustard oil
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• Salt to taste

Dalpuri (Stuffed Lentil Flatbread)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup yellow split peas (moong dal or chana dal)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• Salt to taste
• Oil or ghee for cooking

Equipment

• Mixing bowls – for dough and stuffing preparation
• Rolling pin and board – for rolling out litti and dalpuri
• Grill or oven – to roast the litti
• Skillet or tawa – for cooking dalpuri and frying chokha ingredients
• Pot or pressure cooker – to boil potatoes and lentils
• Masher or fork – to mash vegetables for chokha
• Spatula and wooden spoon – for stirring and mixing

Instructions

Making Litti

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and a pinch of salt. Gradually add warm water and knead into a soft but firm dough. Cover and set aside.
2. Make the stuffing: In another bowl, mix the sattu, ajwain, kalonji, fennel seeds, chopped green chilies, crushed ginger, coriander leaves, mustard oil, and salt. Add a little water to bind the mixture but keep it crumbly.
3. Shape the litti: Divide the dough into equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball into a small disc, place a spoonful of stuffing in the center, and carefully seal it by folding the edges. Roll lightly to form a smooth ball again.
4. Cook the litti: Traditionally, littis are roasted over coal or wood fire. At home, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally to get an even roast. Alternatively, grill them on a stovetop pan until golden brown.
5. Serve: Brush the hot littis with melted ghee before serving.

Preparing Chokha

1. Roast the eggplants: Pierce the eggplants with a fork and roast directly on a gas flame or in the oven until the skin chars and the pulp softens.
2. Boil potatoes: Boil the potatoes until tender. Peel them once cool enough to handle.
3. Mash vegetables: In a bowl, mash the roasted eggplants and boiled potatoes together. Add chopped tomato, onions, green chilies, coriander, and salt.
4. Season: Drizzle mustard oil over the mixture and mix well. Adjust salt and chili levels as per taste.

Making Dalpuri

1. Prepare lentil filling: Rinse and soak yellow split peas for 30 minutes. Cook until soft but not mushy. Drain any excess water.
2. Grind spices: In a dry pan, roast cumin and fennel seeds lightly. Grind them coarsely.
3. Mix filling: Combine cooked lentils, ground spices, garam masala, red chili powder, grated ginger, and salt. Mash or mix to form a thick paste.
4. Dough preparation: Knead wheat flour with water and a pinch of salt into a soft dough. Rest for 15 minutes.
5. Shape dalpuri: Divide dough into balls, roll into small discs, place lentil filling in the center, and seal the edges. Roll gently to form a flatbread.
6. Cook: Heat a skillet or tawa. Cook each dalpuri on medium heat, applying oil or ghee on both sides until golden and cooked through.

Tips & Variations

Tip: For the perfect litti, ensure the dough is firm but pliable, and the sattu stuffing is well-seasoned with mustard oil and spices for authentic flavor.

Variation: Add chopped boiled peas or paneer to the sattu stuffing for a richer taste.

Tip: Chokha can be made with variations like mashed pumpkin or mashed radish for different flavors.

Variation: Try adding roasted garlic or a dash of lemon juice to chokha for a tangy twist.

Tip: For a healthier dalpuri, use minimal oil and bake instead of frying.

Variation: Substitute yellow split peas with moong dal or chana dal depending on availability.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Bihari vegetarian dishes are best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve litti with chokha as a classic combo, perfect for lunch or dinner.

Add a dollop of ghee on top for an authentic touch. Pair dalpuri with a side of spicy chutney or a bowl of fresh yogurt to balance the spices.

For a wholesome meal, accompany these dishes with a simple salad of cucumber, tomato, and onion dressed with lemon juice and salt. You might also want to explore other Indian comfort foods like Classico Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Recipe or finish your meal with something sweet like the Cinnamon Pecan Ice Cream Recipe.

Conclusion

Exploring Bihari vegetarian recipes offers a delightful glimpse into a cuisine that is both rustic and refined. These dishes bring together the simplicity of local ingredients with the complexity of traditional flavors, creating meals that are deeply satisfying and nourishing.

Whether you’re cooking litti chokha, dalpuri, or experimenting with variations, you’re embracing a culinary heritage that celebrates warmth, community, and taste.

By incorporating these recipes into your kitchen, you not only enjoy delicious meals but also connect with a cultural experience that’s steeped in history. For more exciting recipes to complement your Bihari meal journey, check out our Chocolate Heaven Cake Recipe for dessert or the savory Cheese Penny Recipe for a snack.

Happy cooking and enjoy the flavors of Bihar!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Litti Chokha”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A traditional Bihari dish consisting of spiced wheat flour balls stuffed with roasted gram flour and served with mashed vegetables. This vegetarian recipe is hearty and packed with authentic flavors.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT60M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups whole wheat flour”, “1 cup roasted gram flour (sattu)”, “1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)”, “1 tsp cumin seeds”, “2 tbsp mustard oil”, “1 tsp salt”, “1 tsp red chili powder”, “1 lemon, juiced”, “2 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed”, “1 large tomato, finely chopped”, “1 small onion, finely chopped”, “2 green chilies, finely chopped”, “2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped”, “Salt to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix whole wheat flour, salt, and carom seeds with water to form dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, combine roasted gram flour, cumin seeds, red chili powder, salt, lemon juice, and mustard oil to make the filling.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide dough into small balls and stuff each with the gram flour mixture.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Seal the balls and roast them on a griddle or bake until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Prepare chokha by mixing boiled potatoes, tomatoes, onions, green chilies, coriander, mustard oil, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot litti with chokha on the side.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “10 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “50 g”}}