Rikwach: The Colocasia Leaf Rolls of Bihar

Rikwach, also known as Patra in other parts of India, is a savory snack that beautifully utilizes colocasia (arbi) leaves. This dish is a wonderful combination of textures and flavors, showcasing the ingenuity of Bihari Cuisine, similar to the creativity in Parwal ki Mithai. It is a popular snack, especially during the monsoon season.,The preparation involves making a thick, spicy paste of gram flour (besan) with ingredients like ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, and tangy tamarind or amchur (dry mango powder). This paste is then evenly smeared over the colocasia leaves. The leaves are stacked on top of each other and then tightly rolled into a log.,These rolls are first steamed until the gram flour paste is cooked through. After cooling, the rolls are sliced into thick pinwheels. These slices can be eaten as they are, but for a truly delicious experience, they are shallow-fried or deep-fried until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Served with Tisi ki Chutney or a simple Aloo Chokha, Rikwach is a perfect tea-time snack.

Keywords: rikwach, patra, colocasia leaf rolls, bihari snack, steamed snack, arbi ke patte