Paratha Food

ROTI CANAI

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, sugar and 1/4 cup of the ghee in the bowl of a stand mixer. Run on low speed with a dough hook until mixture clumps.
• Add egg, milk and water. Continue to mix until a smooth elastic dough is formed. Knead into a smooth, soft, elastic dough, about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should be a bit sticky, but not wet.
• Transfer the dough out and cut into eight equal pieces, about 4 oz. each (113 g). Form into smooth balls.
• Coat each ball with one teaspoon of ghee, slathering them well. Arrange in a single layer on a plate, cover with a damn cloth and allow them to rest at room temperature for at least 6 hours. (The dough can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator.)
• If the dough was prepared the day ahead, let come to a warm room temperature. So if your kitchen is cold, place the dough inwarm area, or you can even microwave it for 10 secondintervals. Warm dough is more elastic and easier to workwith.
• Clean a 2-inch × 2-inch surface, and coat it with a 12-inch circle (30 cm) of ghee (about 2 tablespoons). Coat hands liberally with ghee.
• Stretch the dough into a sheet; put 1 teaspoon of ghee in center of the buttered work area.
• Arrange one dough ball in the center. Press with your buttered palm to flatten dough into a 6-inch disc, less than 1/4 inch thick, slightly thinner around edges.
• Pull and stretch it from the center outwards. Make sure most of dough is paper thin by moving around dough perimeter with your fingertips and thumbs, lifting thicker edges, pulling outwards to thin, and gently pressing against table to adhere.
• Systematically, slowly, work your way around theperimeter of dough circle, pulling outwards to thin thedough. For the first few rounds, pull 3 to 4 inches (about8 to 10 cm) each time, making it thinner and thinner. As itgets thinner, it will be obvious where the thicker parts ofthe dough are. Focus on those areas. Keep going until youachieve a paper thin sheet. It should reach about 2 feet in diameter. Use the tips of your fingers to smooth the thicker part paper thin.
• Using two hands, fold top quarter of dough over itself, almost reaching middle of sheet. Fold top edge over again to meet the top edge. Then repeat with other sides to create a square multi-layered square of dough about 6 to 8 inches (about 16 to 20 cm). Each time you fold, try to capture some air in-between layers.
• Heat a griddle or large saute pan over low heat.
• Firmly flatten and spread one disc of dough until it is 7 inches to 8 inches in diameter or (18 to 20 cm). The dough will be elastic, and may pull back a little.
• Drizzle the griddle with a little ghee. Add one bread to the pan, and cook slowly, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side, rotating occasionally to ensure even browning. Cook until each side is deep golden brown.
• Transfer the breads to a work surface, and then use a clapping motion (careful it will be hot), slapping the bread together between your hands to separate the layers.
• Repeat with remaining roti, cooking as many as will fit in the pan at one time. Serve immediately with curry sauce or sugar.

STUFFED PARATHA

Steps:

• Mix together the flour, 1 tsp salt, the oil and 225ml water to make a stiff dough. Leave to rest for 15 mins. Meanwhile, make your potato filling by mixing all the ingredients together with 1½ tsp salt in a bowl. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and do the same with the filling.
• Take a ball of dough, make an indent in the centre with your thumb and keep pressing and rotating the dough in your hand to make the cavity slightly larger than the size of a ball of the filling. The edge around the cavity of dough should be slightly thinner than the rest of it. Sit the ball of stuffing in the cavity and bring the dough together around the filling to cover it. Do not leave any cracks or the stuffing will spill out when you roll the parathas.
• Lightly dust the parathas with flour, gently flatten, then roll out into a circle, roughly 20cm in diameter.
• Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium-low heat and add a rolled-out paratha. Cook dry for about 2-3 mins on one side, then flip over and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. When both sides become dry and start to colour, brush with a little ghee to get an even colouring and transfer to a foil-lined plate. While this first paratha is cooking, prepare the next one, and so on. Keep the pile of parathas warm by loosely wrapping in foil.
• Mix the Greek yogurt with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, the crushed cumin seeds and a splash of water to loosen slightly. Serve with the parathas, alongside an Indian pickle of your choice. Or, simply enjoy with cold salted butter.

ALOO PARATHA RECIPE | POTATO STUFFED PARATHA

Steps:

• Boil potatoes just until fork tender without making them mushy. To pressure cook in traditional cooker, cook for 3 to 4 whistles depending on the size of potatoes. In instant pot I pressure cooked for 5 mins since I used medium sized potatoes.
• While the potatoes boil, make the dough. Add flour,oil and salt to a bowl. Pour half cup water and begin to mix to form a dough. Pour more water as needed and make a soft yet non-sticky dough.
• Knead it well until soft & pliable. If you press down the dough with your finger, it should dent easily meaning it is soft enough. Cover and rest until the filling is ready.
• When the potatoes are done, cool them slightly and peel while still warm. Ensure your boiled potatoes are not mushy or soggy.
• Grate or mash them well until no bits of potatoes remain. Using your fingers break any chunks of potatoes left in the mash otherwise they will tear the parathas. Also do not over mash it as the potatoes will turn pasty and sticky.
• Add ginger, green chilies, coriander leaves, salt, red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder, kasuri methi and chaat masala. Crush the kasuri methi before adding.
• Optional: Also add the optional ingredients - ajwain and fennel powder.
• Mix all of the ingredients gently and taste test it. Add more salt or spices as per your taste.
• Divide the aloo stuffing to 8 parts. Also divide the dough to 8 parts. Keep the dough covered.
• Roll a dough ball in your palms to smooth. Lightly sprinkle some flour on the rolling area. Flatten the dough ball and dip it in some flour.
• Method 1- Dust off the excess & roll it to a 4 inch disc or roti. Place a portion of aloo stuffing in the center. Gently bring the sides of the roti up shaping like a cup. Repeat the steps of pushing the stuffing inside with your finger and bringing the dough up until the edges come over the stuffing. (Refer video).
• If the stuffing is sticky, dip your fingers in flour. Bring the edges together over the stuffing and join them to seal carefully. (Refer step-by-step photo or video).
• Method 2 - Roll a 5 inch roti and place the stuffing in the center, hold the edges and make small pleats. Bring all of them on top and join them together to seal the stuffing. Remove the excess dough on top.
• Dip the stuffed ball in flour and flatten it gently to spread the stuffing evenly. This ensures the stuffing does not come out at all. Dust off the excess.
• Sprinkle some flour on the rolling area .
• Place the paratha disc on the rolling area with the sealed side down. Begin to roll evenly all over without putting pressure.
• Do not roll the aloo paratha continuously. Instead rotate in clock-wise direction a little after every 4 to 6 rolls to ensure it does not tear or get stuck. Sprinkle flour as needed and avoid using excess. If you see the stuffing coming out, gently apply some flour to seal it.
• Roll the aloo paratha as thin or thick you like without tearing them. I roll mine to 8 to 9 inches.
• Transfer the rolled ones to a dry area. Once you are done with 3 you can begin to fry them.
• Method 3 - With this method, you will be able to make only 6 large parathas. So divide the dough to 12 and stuffing to 6 parts. Roll 2 rotis of 6 inches each. Spread the aloo mixture on one of the roti. Wet the edges with little water. Place the other roti on top of it. Press down gently on the sides to seal both the rotis. Then sprinkle flour and roll it evenly as thin as you want.
• Heat a pan or griddle to cook the aloo parathas. The griddle should be hot enough otherwise the parathas will turn hard,
• When the pan is hot, gently transfer a rolled aloo paratha to it.
• With in 2 to 3 mins, you will see bubbles over it. Then flip it to the other side and cook.
• You will see the aloo paratha puffs and cooks well. Drizzle ghee or oil all over and flip it to the other side and cook.
• Smear some ghee on this side as well and press down the edges to cook thoroughly.
• Soon you will see golden to light brown spots on the aloo parathas. Remove to a plate and stack them. This keeps them soft.
• Top aloo paratha with some butter and serve with pickle or yogurt.

PARATHA RECIPE, HOW TO MAKE PARATHA

Steps:

• Mix together wheat flour, salt, oil in a wide mixing bowl.
• Pour water little by little as needed & make a stiff non sticky dough.
• Knead well to make the dough soft and pliable. If the dough is hard or dry knead with moist fingers.
• When you press down the dough with a finger, you must feel it is soft and dent easily.
• Wrap it in a moist cloth or cover it in a container and set aside for 30 mins.
• You can also grease the ball with a few drops of oil and cover.
• Knead the dough lightly & divide to 8 parts.
• Then roll to balls & keep them covered.
• Take a few tbsp of flour to a small bowl & flour the rolling area lightly.
• Dip a ball in the flour and dust off the excess. Too much flour on the parathas can make them hard.
• Place the ball on the rolling area and flatten it slightly with fingers.
• With the help of a rolling pin begin to roll each ball to a round layer or roti of 7 inches. Do not put pressure on the dough, roll it with light hands.
• Apply ghee all over the paratha and fold ⅓ part of it. (check step by step photos in the post)
• Then apply the ghee to the folded part as well & repeat folding the other ⅓ part.
• Apply ghee over the 3 layered long strip and fold ⅓ part of it.
• Then repeat the other ⅓ part & you will have a square.
• Sprinkle little more flour if needed to prevent sticking.
• Then roll the square further to make a 7 inch square paratha.
• Apply ghee all over the roti & fold it to half to make a half circle.
• Next apply ghee over it & repeat folding it to get a triangle shape.
• Sprinkle a bit of flour & begin to roll evenly to a triangle paratha.
• Heat a griddle until hot on a medium high flame.
• Dust off any excess flour over the parathas. Transfer paratha to the griddle gently. Cook it until you begin to see bubbles, then turn it to the other side.
• Fry on a medium high flame on the other side as well pressing down with a spatula.
• Pressing down helps the parathas to puff up and the layers get separated and get cooked through.
• Turn the parathas too and fro. Cook until brown spots appear on both the sides.
• Drizzle ghee or oil on both sides.
• Remove the paratha to a wired rack or plate lined with a clean cloth or kitchen tissue.
• Stack them one over the other to keep them soft.
• To cook the next paratha make sure the pan is hot but not extremely hot that it burns the parathas. If you see any flour on the griddle gently and carefully wipe off with a thick clean cloth.
• Serve paratha with curry or chutney or just yogurt.

DHABA STYLE ALOO PARATHA

Steps:

• Put all the dough making ingredients in your food processor with the dough paddle. You will get a soft and elastic dough. Set aside and let it rest until we prepare the potato stuffing.
• In the food processor put all the ingredients required for the potato stuffing and pulse it until it all mixes and comes together well. Potato should be minced.
• Divide dough 7-8 medium balls, dust the floor and roll the balls into small circle with the help of a rolling pin.
• Hold the rolled dough in your palm and place 2-3 tbsp of potato filling in the center. Use your judgement when it comes to filling, you should be able to close the dough with filling inside. Pinch the top of the dough to seal it well.
• Flatten the dough lightly with your hands and roll it out gently into 6-8 inch circle. Dont forget to sprinkle flour before rolling the dough.
• Cook the paratha on a tawa at medium-high heat. When one side is brown, flip the paratha and brush it with oil. Repeat the same process with other side too. Cook well on both sides till you see golden spots. Your paratha is ready. Top it with butter and serve hot with pickle or yogurt.
• If you want to freeze the paratha for later use then cook them until they are just a little under done. Put in a ziploc bag, if you have multiple paratha then put parchment paper between each one of them as this will make it easier to take them out when frozen and heat. Dont thaw the paratha, take them out of the freezer and cook on hot tawa until perfectly golden and crisp for you to eat. I always make extra batch for use during weekdays.