Kulathache Pithle

Kulith Pithle in Marathi

Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 3 servings

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Kulith flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped (optional)
approx 2 cups water
tempering: 2 tsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 2 pinches hing, 1/8 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder or 2 green chilies (slit lengthwise), 1 spring curry-leaves
2 tbsp fresh coconut, scraped
2-3 kokum pieces
Salt to taste
2 tbsp chopped cilantro, for garnishing

Method:
1) Take 1/2 a cup water and 1/4 cup kulith flour without any lumps. Keep this mixture ready.
2) Heat 2 tsp oil in a kadai. Add garlic and cook until edges become brown. Then add mustard seeds, hing, turmeric powder, green chilies and curry leaves. Saute for few seconds, then add onion.
3) Saute onion till it becomes translucent. Then add 2 cups water, kokum pieces and salt.
4) Once water starts boiling, add kulith pith and water mixture a tbsp at a time. Let it dissolve well and then add some more. Gradually pithale will thicken. When you get the desired consistency, stop adding the mixture.
5) Add coconut and simmer for few minutes. Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with rice.

Tips:
1) Traditionally, kulith flour is sprinkled in boiling water. But, paste made from little water and flour is easy to add and it prevents lumps.
2) It you find pithale too thick, then add little water and cook for 2-3 minutes.