Indian Vegetarian Cooking

From An American Kitchen

Parathas:

Parathas are triangular shaped, fried flaky breads. Like chapatis, they are made out of whole wheat flour, but they are prepared using a slightly different method. The dough for parathas is oiled, rolled, and folded several times, giving this bread its distinctive flaky texture. The result is a bread crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes    COOKING TIME: 30 minutes     SERVES: 4 (makes 8 parathas)

2 cups chapati flour, or 1 cup whole wheat flour plus 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup additional flour for dusting

1/4 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. oil to roll and brush the paratha

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. melted ghee or butter (optional)

3/4 cup water plus 2 Tbsp. warm water (95 to 100 degrees)

1. In a bowl, sift the chapati flour and salt together. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and, using your hands, mix well. Slowly add the water to the flour to make a soft dough. In the bowl, knead the dough for 5 minutes, until it is very pliable. Cover and set aside in a warm place.

2. After 30 minutes, knead the dough for a minute and divide it into eight equal balls. Keep them covered to prevent them from drying out.

3. Taking one ball at a time, dust it with flour and make a round patty, flattening it on a floured work surface. Roll it into a 5-inch circle. Using a pastry brush, brush the top side with oil and fold the circle in half. Brush the top side of the semicircle with oil and fold it in half. Now the dough looks like a triangle. Flatten and dust the triangle with flour on both sides. Using a floured rolling pin on a floured work surface, roll the dough until the trianle measures 6 or 7 inches. Remove to a tray and cover to keep the paratha from drying out. Repeat with the remaining dough.

4. Heat a cast-iron or nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat until hot. Taking one paratha at a time, fry for 1 minute, until brown spots appear on the underside. Using a spatula, flip the bread to the other side, adding 1/4 tsp. of oil to the pan. Fry the bread for an additional 30 seconds, until brown spots appear on the flipped underside. (Brush the top with a little ghee or butter if desired.) Remove from the griddle and wrap in aluminum foil. Repeat the procedure with the remaining dough. Wrap the parathas in foil. Serve hot.

5. Parathas can be prepared several hours in advance. Just before serving, heat in a preheated 300-degree oven, wrapped in foil, for 10 to 12 minutes.

Per Serving

129 calories; 4g protein; 20g carbohydrates; 4g fat, 53.5mg sodium; 7.5mg cholesterol; 4g fiber

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