Bhapa Pitha( Rice cake ) My style

Bhapa Pitha ( Rice Cake)

My house in Delhi is in Chittranjan Park which is also called mini Kolkata as it is home to large Bengali community. Today I am sharing Bhapa Pitha( Rice Cake), a Bong sweet dish.The authentic form is made from Rice and Date(khajur )molasses. Since I making it completely sugar free, I am using honey instead of khajur gur. Also I have given a different twist. Sharing this completely caesin free, gluten free, sugar free and fully Vegan dish.

Ingredients

1. Rice 1 1/2 bowl or bowl of Rice Powder
2. Honey
3. Dessicated coconut (Nariyal/Gola ka bura)100 gm
4. Butter 2 Tbps
5. Salt 1/2 Tbps
6. Pistachios
7. Cashews
8. Almonds
9. Baking soda 1/2 Tbps or Eno small sachet
10. Vanilla essence  or extract

Ingredients

Preparation

Soak Rice in water for 1 hour.( If using Rice Powder no need to soak just add warm water till the paste is thick and smooth.)Pound the rice in a grinder till very little coarse and smooth. Add Salt, Vanilla Essence (2-3 drops), Add dessicated coconut and mix. Keep it aside. Cut pistachios , Almonds, Cashews in to little pieces.Now take a pan and heat at low temp. Add butter. Now add pistachios, Almonds, Cashews and saute. Add a Teaspoon full of honey and caramelized all the nuts. Now add a spoon full of dessicated coconut so that the filling will bind together.
  Now take some water in a deep pan and heat till it starts boiling. Meanwhile take idli maker and glace it with oil. Keep the idli maker aside. Now Take the Rice mixture.Add 2-3 Tbps of honey and a sachet of Eno.Mix nicely. Take the mixture in ladel and put it in idli maker.On the top of every scoop add caramelized nuts.Steamed the Rice cake for nearly 40 - 45 min till rice cooks well. When using Rice powder steam for lesser min. Remove and let it cool. Remove the rice cake with a blunt knife.
Top it up with honey while serving.