Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is celebrated across India with fervour and joy. It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama killed the Demon King Ravana, and Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura. It symbolises the victory of good over evil, but beyond cultural rituals, it is celebrated as a culinary fest. Among many delights, chiroti takes the centre stage and shines bright with its mildly sweet flavour, flaky build, and crispy texture. It is popular in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Though it is deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup, it can be given a modern twist with Usha OTG. You can achieve the same texture and flavour, but without or with a minimal amount of oil. Using the appliance, you can make it a little lighter for the digestive system while adding a modern twist to the recipe.
Significance Of Chiroti
It is believed that the dish originated in the royal kitchens of Karnataka during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. The layered sweet is prepared by rolling and folding the dough repeatedly and deep-frying to achieve flakiness. The moment you put the rolled dough in hot oil, each layer will start widening. In Maharashtra, it is not only served during Dussehra celebrations but also for the Diwali feast, and it is dusted with sugar and cardamom powder blend.
In Andhra Pradesh, chiroti has a slightly different presentation. Instead of being dusted with sugar, it is dunked in sugar syrup to symbolise sweetness and growth in relationships. If you opt for Usha OTG, you are only replacing the deep-frying step with baking. Much like how you bake croissants, similarly, you can prepare chiroti. If anything, it will turn out crispier. Baking will not only use far less oil, but it will also yield a healthier alternative to the recipe. It will also give you more control over the temperature and work with thin layers.
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Chiroti Recipe
Ingredients
- A pinch of salt
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp ghee for layering
- 3 tbsp ghee for brushing
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- ½ cup milk
- 2-3 tbsp powdered sugar
Method
- Mix maida, salt, and milk to prepare a smooth, pliable dough. Keep it aside to rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide it into small balls and roll them into chapati. Mix ghee and cornflour and spread it over the disc.
- Layer chapati over one another, at least 3-4. Roll the bunch into a tiny log and cut it into uniform sizes.
- While the OTG preheats to 180°C, grease the baking tray with ghee and arrange the chiroti pieces.
- Bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown, crispy, and flaky.
- Sprinkle cardamom and powdered sugar over them and serve.
If you want to serve it in Andhra-style, you can also dunk baked chiroti in sugar syrup and top it with crushed nuts and dry fruits. Sharing chiroti during Dussehra is associated with happiness and abundance. It is often cherished with warm and flavoured milk or masala tea. Try it once, and you will never look back.