Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bihari Litti in a Pressure Cooker

Bihari Litti — a robust, flavorful, and earthy delicacy — is more than just food; it’s a cultural symbol of Bihar’s rich culinary tradition. Traditionally roasted over coal or cow dung cakes, this dish may seem out of reach in today’s urban kitchens. But with the right cookware, like the Meyer Presta Pressure Cooker, you can bring this heritage dish to life in a safe, efficient, and flavourful way.

The Meyer Presta Pressure Cooker, made from heavy-duty nickel-free stainless steel and featuring a traditional whistle system, provides consistent heat, reliable pressure control, and peace of mind while preparing authentic Indian dishes like Litti — right on your stovetop.

Why Use Meyer Presta for Litti?

Here’s why Meyer Presta is the perfect companion for preparing this rustic delight:

1. Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Body ensures durability and even heat distribution — ideal for slow roasting and baking.
2. Nickel-Free Construction makes it non-reactive and safe for acidic fillings like sattu with lemon or amchur.
3. Traditional Whistle Mechanism offers peace of mind during everyday cooking while giving you the flexibility to remove the whistle for oven-like dry baking.
4. Tri-ply cooking surface prevents hot spots and ensures uniform browning of the Litti balls.
5. Compatible with All Cooktops including induction, allowing for flexibility in kitchen setups.

With these features, the Meyer Presta Pressure Cooker transforms into a modern tandoor — no smoke, no coal, just perfect results.

MEYER Presta Tri-ply with Outer Lid Pressure Cooker 3L

Ingredients for Bihari Litti

Dough:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour

• 2 tbsp ghee (for moyan)

• Salt to taste

• Water (to knead)

Filling:

• 1 cup sattu (roasted gram flour)

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1-inch ginger, grated

• 4–5 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 green chilies, chopped

• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

• 1 tbsp mustard oil

• ½ tsp ajwain (carom seeds)

• 1 tsp lemon juice or dry mango powder (amchur)

• Salt to taste

• Water to moisten filling

Preparing Bihari Litti in Meyer Presta Pressure Cooker

Step 1: Make the Dough

• In a large bowl, combine wheat flour, ghee, and salt.

• Rub the ghee into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.

• Add water gradually and knead into a soft dough.

• Cover and let it rest for 20–30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Sattu Filling

• Mix sattu, onion, garlic, ginger, green chilies, coriander, ajwain, mustard oil, lemon juice (or amchur), and salt.

• Add just a little water to bring the filling together — it should be moist but crumbly.

Step 3: Shape the Litti Balls

• Divide the dough into equal portions and flatten each piece.

• Place a spoonful of filling inside and seal the edges tightly.

• Roll between palms to form smooth balls without cracks.

Step 4: Preheat Your Meyer Presta Cooker

• Remove the gasket and whistle for this step.

• Add a layer of salt or sand at the base of the Meyer Presta Cooker to act as a heat buffer (about 1 to 1.5 inches).

• Place a trivet or metal stand above this layer.

• Cover with the lid (without whistle or gasket) and preheat on medium heat for 8–10 minutes.

The even heat distribution of the Meyer Presta tri-ply body mimics a clay oven effect, perfect for roasting litti evenly.

Step 5: Bake the Litti

• Arrange the stuffed littis on a greased steel plate or directly on the trivet if using parchment paper.

• Carefully lower the plate into the hot Presta Cooker.

• Close the lid without the whistle (leave the vent open).

• Bake on low to medium heat for 25–30 minutes, turning the littis halfway for even cooking.

Meyer Presta’s even heating and heat retention allow you to roast the littis to golden perfection, with a crusty exterior and well-cooked center.

Step 6: Finishing Touch

• Once cooked, dip the hot littis in melted desi ghee for an authentic Bihari touch.

• Alternatively, brush them generously with ghee while still warm.

Tips for Success

• Always preheat your Meyer Presta to create an oven-like environment.

• Do not use the rubber gasket or whistle while baking.

• Use the salt base to prevent direct heat contact and enable slow roasting.

• Keep heat medium-low to avoid burning the litti.

• Flip littis carefully once during cooking for even roasting.

Conclusion

With the Meyer Presta Pressure Cooker, making authentic Bihari Litti is not only possible — it’s easy, clean, and efficient. You get the rustic charm of traditional flavours, backed by the reliability of modern engineering.

The traditional whistle of the Presta gives you peace of mind during everyday pressure cooking, while its versatility lets you recreate oven-style dishes like litti without additional appliances. It’s time to honour tradition while embracing modern convenience — one litti at a time.