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Doi chira
Flattened rice with curd
দই চিড়া (doi chira): Barisal's breakfast of flattened rice in thick curd with jaggery and banana
Nothing is cooked for doi chira, which is why it has been the breakfast of farmers and fishermen in Barisal for generations: flattened rice is rinsed, softened in thick, slightly sour curd and sweetened with jaggery or sugar, then mashed together with a ripe banana. The texture is soft and creamy with a little chew from the rice flakes, and the taste is cool, sweet and tangy. It is eaten on hot summer mornings, at village fairs and as part of the Pohela Boishakh spread, and it is a favourite of children and of anyone fasting who wants something gentle. The usual misstep is soaking the chira for too long, which turns it to paste; a quick rinse is all it needs before the curd does the rest. Chef's tip: use thick-cut chira, not the thin kind for frying, so the flakes hold their shape.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz jaggery or sugargrated
- 2 ripe bananassliced
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 tbsp milkoptional, to loosen
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 5 ½ oz thick flattened rice (chira or poha) in a sieve and rinse under running water for 30 seconds, tossing, until just softened; drain for 5 minutes.
2 minStep 2: Beat 14 oz thick plain yoghurt (doi), slightly sour with 2 ⅛ oz jaggery or sugar and 1 pinch salt in a bowl until the jaggery dissolves.
3 minStep 3: Add the chira and half the 1 ripe bananas and mix, mashing the banana a little, then leave for 5 minutes so the flakes soften. Loosen with 3 tbsp milk if you like it softer.
3 minStep 4: Spoon into bowls and top with the rest of the 1 ripe bananas.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 60 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does doi chira take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of thick flattened rice (chira or poha)?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of thick plain yoghurt (doi), slightly sour?
- Greek yoghurt loosened with a little milk.
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