Gavhache Dhirde / Sweet Pancakes from Maharashtrian Cuisine

Gavhache dhirde is a traditional Maharashtrian delicacy. Made from whole wheat flour, jaggery and ghee, these sweet pancakes are made specifically during Ashad month (fourth month of Hindu calendar which corresponds to June / July in the Gregorian calendar). Gavhache dhirde serve as a healthy and delicious breakfast with a simple an easy to follow recipe. These pancakes taste great when served piping hot with home made ghee.

I am not sure why dhirde are made during Ashad month. But it is customary in my family to make these sweet whole wheat pancakes and savory besan chila at least once during Ashad month and served as Naivedhyam ( offering to God) and then consumed by the whole family. Some people make gulgule also along with dhirde. The feast is called Ashad Talan which translates to frying in Marathi. May be it is rainy season during Ashad month and in olden days in villages , deep fried goodies were made only during festivals and special occasions, so such customs were made , so that people of all grades could enjoy the feast. Anyways, not getting much deep into the details, i follow all the rituals and customs of my family very religiously as i feel it is my duty to pass down these customs to the next generation.

I am glad that my little one who is 10 year old now, enjoys all the festivals , asks me about its significance and rituals associated with it and as a foodie, he awaits for the festivities for the sake of relishing on the delicacies . he knows, if it is Nagpanchami, he will get to eat Kanole kheer and Purnache Dind , if it is Narali Pournima, mumma will make Narali Bhaat(sweet coconut rice) and other coconut related sweets, he awaits Sankranti for Gulachi Poli and so on . So lets gets started .

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup jaggery powder
• 1 teaspoon roughly crushed fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon suji
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1-2 tablespoon ghee for cooking the pancakes

Method:

1. Take jaggery powder or grated jaggery in a bowl . Add 1/4 cup water to it and stir well until the jaggery dissolves completely. 

2. In another mixing bowl take whole wheat flour, add suji, fennel seeds, cardamom powder and salt to it. Mix well. Add the jaggery water to it and whisk the mix. Add water as per need an make a smooth lump free batter of the mix.

 3. Keep the batter covered for 10 minutes . After 10 minutes, stir and check the consistency. The batter should not be too thick or to thin, just the one used to make pancakes. Add more water if required to attain the correct consistency.

4. Heat a greased skillet over medium flame. Lower the flame and pour ladle full of batter in the center of the skillet. Now either lift the skillet and tilt it in a circular manner, such that the batter spreads into a round shape, or with the back of the ladle spread the batter , just like we do to make the dosa. Drizzle ghee over the sides of the pancake.

5. Allow the pancake to cook on medium flame until it turns golden brown in color. Flip it care fully using a spatula and cook the other side as well. Remove the pancake on a plate. Make all the pancakes in similar way.

 6. Serve the delicious gavhache goad dhirde with home made tup (ghee) and enjoy with your loved ones !

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For more festive Maharashtrian delicacies check the following posts from my blog

• Purnache Dind

                        

• Kaanole

                       

• Narali Bhaat

                    

• Anarsa

                    

• Gulachi Poli