Paratha is a delicious and popular Indian flatbread that is easy to make and can be enjoyed with various dishes or on its own. Here's a basic recipe to make plain parathas:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour (atta)
- Water, as needed
- Salt, to taste
- Ghee or oil, for cooking
Optional: You can also add some spices like ajwain (carom seeds) or cumin seeds for additional flavor.
Instructions:
1. Mixing the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the whole wheat flour and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add water to the flour and start kneading it to form a smooth and soft dough. Add water in small amounts until the dough comes together.
2. Resting the Dough:
- Once the dough is kneaded, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes. This helps to make the dough more pliable and easier to roll.
3. Preparing the Parathas:
- After resting, divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls.
- Take one dough ball and dust it with dry flour. Roll it out into a thin circle using a rolling pin on a flat surface. If it sticks, add a little dry flour while rolling.
- Brush a little ghee or oil over the rolled-out circle. Optionally, you can sprinkle some dry flour and spices (like ajwain or cumin seeds) on top.
4. Folding the Paratha:
- Now, start folding the circle to make pleats, like you would while making a paper fan or accordion. Once you reach the end, tuck the last part underneath to make a spiral.
5. Rolling the Paratha:
- Roll the pleated spiral into a flat circle again using a rolling pin. This helps in spreading the ghee and spices evenly and makes the paratha flaky.
6. Cooking the Paratha:
- Heat a tava or a flat non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Place the rolled paratha on the hot pan and cook for a minute or until you see some bubbles forming on the surface.
7. Flipping and Cooking:
- Flip the paratha to the other side. At this point, you can brush a little more ghee or oil on the cooked side if you prefer.
- Cook the second side for another minute until it gets some golden-brown spots.
8. Repeat:
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls to make more parathas.
9. Serving:
- Serve the hot and delicious parathas with your favorite accompaniment, such as curry, yogurt, pickle, or chutney.
Note: You can also make stuffed parathas by adding various fillings like mashed potatoes, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), spinach, or cauliflower to the rolled-out dough before folding and rolling it again. Stuffed parathas are especially flavorful and make for a satisfying meal.
Enjoy your homemade parathas!
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