Poda Pitha: A Sweet and Traditional Sri Lankan Rice Pudding

Explore the delightful flavors of Poda Pitha, a circular, sweet rice pudding from Sri Lanka. This article provides a concise recipe for you to make this popular dish at home.

**Background:**

Poda Pitha is a traditional Sri Lankan dessert made with rice, coconut milk, jaggery, and rice flour, typically cooked in banana leaves.

**Recipe:**

Make your own Poda Pitha using the following ingredients:

250g rice flour
300ml coconut milk
300g jaggery
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp cardamom powder
1 tbsp musk Ravene
Cooked rice for filling
Banana leaves for packaging

**Instructions:**

  1. Prepare the filling: Cook rice with water until soft and let it cool down.
  2. Melt jaggery with water, oil, and cardamom powder.
  3. Combine coconut milk and rice flour.
  4. Fill banana leaves with rice stuffing.
  5. Wrap the leaves with filling and cook in water.
  6. Serve Poda Pitha warm with musk Ravene and coconut garnish.

**Key Features:**

Poda Pitha is known for its sweet, delicious taste from jaggery and creaminess from rice and coconut milk. It is a popular festive and family recipe in Sri Lanka.

**Expert Quote:**

Chef Dharshan from Colombo: "Poda Pitha is an essential Sri Lankan dish that represents familial happiness and harmony."

**FAQs:**

It takes approximately 1 hour to make Poda Pitha.
Yes, you can serve Poda Pitha with other dishes like Kiribath and Alu Mas.
Double the amount of jaggery if the dessert is not sweet enough.