Lau poda pitha(ଲାଉ ପୋଡ଼ ପିଠା)...

 "ଲାଉ ପୋଡ଼ ପିଠା" is a unique dish preparation from my mom's kitchen..its a different verity of normal poda pitha..but gives superb taste...

INGREDIENTS:

• Rice-300 gm.
• Lau(bottle gourd)-1.
• Thin coconut slices-10-15.
• Ghee-2 tsp.
• Cardamom powder-2 tsp.
• Sugar/jaggery-100 gm.
• Broken cashew nut-2 tsp.
• Baking powder-1 tsp.(optional)
• Grated carrot-1.(optional)
• Pinch of salt.

PREPARATION:

• Soak the rice for about 4 hours.wash it thoroughly & grind it,don't make it fine batter. 
• Cut the bottle gourd into large pieces,pressure cook it into 2 whistle.drain excess water if any & grind it to make fine paste.
•  Take a bowl,add rice batter,bottle gourd paste,cardamom powder,coconut slices,ghee,sugar,broken cashew nut,baking powder,grated carrot,pinch of salt,mix well.
•  Preheat the pressure cooker,Grease the inner side of pressure cooker with ghee,pour the batter in it & sprinkle some ghee on the top of the batter & close the lid(without mounting the whistle).
• Place the pressure cooker in simmer flame for about 45-50 min.Now your poda pitha is ready,when the cooker comes to normal temperature,take out the pitha carefully & cut it into your desired shape & serve.
• Delicious "ଲାଉ ପୋଡ଼ ପିଠା" is ready to serve.

                       *instead of pressure cooker u can also use oven.