Gayri Rotli, in Gujarati translates to “sweet roti” and is eaten during various festivals, such as Holi. Holi is known as the festival of colors and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Many of you may be familiar with the Color Run which is based on Holi. This sweet treat is traditionally made by making a whole wheat flatbread and then stuffing it with a sweet lentil filling. This is a special treat which is made on rare occasions due to the intensive nature of making it as well as the skill required to stuff the rotis perfectly. Thanks to the Instant Pot, the filling is made in no time. We also put a twist on the traditional version by making colorful bites instead of stuffing the rotis. Our “Holi Bites” are easy to serve at parties which will be loved by children and adults alike.
GAYRI ROTLI (PURAN POLI)
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Gayri Rotli, in Gujarati translates to “sweet roti” and is eaten during various festivals, such as Holi. Holi is known as the festival of colors and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Many of you may be familiar with the Color Run which is based on Holi. This sweet treat is traditionally made by making a whole wheat flatbread and then stuffing it with a sweet lentil filling. This is a special treat which is made on rare occasions due to the intensive nature of making it as well as the skill required to stuff the rotis perfectly. Thanks to the Instant Pot, the filling is made in no time. We also put a twist on the traditional version by making colorful bites instead of stuffing the rotis. Our “Holi Bites” are easy to serve at parties which will be loved by children and adults alike.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 3 qt Instant Pot
- 1 cup chana dal rinsed and drained (split chickpea lentils)
- 1 tablespoon ghee - use our recipe to make your own!
- 1 cup jaggery (palm sugar) broken into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon elaichi powder (cardamom powder)
- 4 tablespoons dried grated coconut
- ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1 cup water
- Potato masher
- Large bowl
- 4 small bowls
- Paniyaram pan
- 1 cup prepared dosa batter
- Food coloring -3 to 4 colors
- 4 tablespoons ghee to grease the paniyaram pan
- ½ cup besan or chickpea flour as needed
Instructions
- Into the steel liner of the Instant Pot, add the chana dal
- Add ghee and water
- Close and lock the lid on the Instant Pot
- Turn the vent to sealing to prevent steam from escaping
- Press PRESSURE COOK on the Instant Pot (3 qt)
- Set timer to 20 minutes
- Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes
- After 10 minutes, manually release the steam by opening the vent
- The silver prong will drop back into the lid. BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT STEAM
- The silver prong will drop back into the lid once the pressure has released
- Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot
- Carefully open the lid
- Using the potato masher, mash the cooked dal into a smooth consistency
- (If the mixture seems dry, add water to help mash)
- Turn on the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode+
- Add the jaggery, nutmeg, cardamom and coconut to the dal mixture
- Mix well to incorporate all ingredients
- Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot
- Carefully remove the dal mixture into a large bowl plate
- Place bowl or plate in the refrigerator to cool
- At this point, you can use this filling to make the traditional gayri rotli/puran poli by rolling wheat rotis and stuffing them with the mixture and cooking them on a hot griddle with ghee
- If you are making the “Holi Bites” follow the next steps
- Using your hands, roll the dal mixture into bit sized balls and set aside
- If the mixture seems too sticky, you can add besan or chickpea flour
- Divide prepared dosa batter into 4 bowls
- Make the sure the batter is not too thin as we will use this batter to coat the dal mixture
- Add your food coloring to each bowl and mix well
- Heat your paniyaram pan on medium heat on your stove top
- Drop a few of the dal balls into each colored batter
- Add a drop of ghee into each opening of the paniyaram pan
- Coat the dal mixture with the dosa batter using a spoon and gently place in the paniyaram pan
- Place the lid on the pan
- Cook each colorful bite 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping the bites halfway through
- You are now ready to serve this sweet, fun and innovative Holi treat!
Notes
Serving suggestion
These “Holi Bites” can be served at your next dinner party, Holi party, Diwali party or as a dessert for your little ones.
IP Ghee: https://www.instapottinwithpoonam.com/ghee-clarified-butter/
Variations
You can add nuts to the dal mixture if you want as well. You can also omit the cardamom, nutmeg or coconut according to your taste preference.
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION
This recipe does not contain onions or garlic.
VEGAN VARIATION
You can omit the ghee and use coconut oil.
These “Holi Bites” can be served at your next dinner party, Holi party, Diwali party or as a dessert for your little ones.
IP Ghee: https://www.instapottinwithpoonam.com/ghee-clarified-butter/
Variations
You can add nuts to the dal mixture if you want as well. You can also omit the cardamom, nutmeg or coconut according to your taste preference.
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION
This recipe does not contain onions or garlic.
VEGAN VARIATION
You can omit the ghee and use coconut oil.
