Vegetarian cooking blog

Showing posts with label Breads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breads. Show all posts

Wednesday 2 June 2021

BISHOP NUT BREAD

Bishop Nut Bread or Bishops cake as it is popularly called is traditionally served at Christmas time. This cake is full of goodies inside. It gets its name from the stained glass look of each slice. However, I have not replicated that look. The cake mostly uses a lot of Tutti- Fruity, which I have not used. Simply because that's not how I have eaten this cake. And believe it when I say, I have tasted this from one of the best hotels in India ITC Maurya . I have had the pleasure of enjoying this for 8 long years during our stay in Delhi. 

I have loosely adapted this recipe from https://www.allrecipes.com/

Well, the original recipe calls for refined flour, choco chips, and tutti fruity. You know me by now, I use Maida/refined flour only when I think the recipe will not work well without it. So I used whole wheat flour. But in this case I took a chance, as even I did not know how it would turn out. Needless to say I am so happy with the texture. Well, so without diverging any further, other than the whole wheat flour I substituted the choco chips with chunks of broken chocolate, so that I have pockets of gooey chocolate in between, loaded it with walnuts, cranberries, and, blueberries. I topped it with some homemade ghee, for that divine smell while it bakes. The result is a very decadent cake, which is more like a loaf. Does the description make you drool? then, im happy, as it was intended😉😉.


While you are here check out other bakes by me like- Blueberry cheesecake, Whole wheat blueberry muffins, Eggless Pineapple cake, Strawberry and lemon loaf, Apple tea cake, Upside down orange vanilla cake(eggless), Pistachio Cake, Bajra and Almond flour cookies, and more...


Here is the recipe of Bishop Nut Bread-



     PREP TIME: 10 Mins                                         COOK TIME: 50 Mins
     TOTAL TIME: 60 Mins                                        COURSE:  DESSERT
     CUISINE:  WORLD FOOD                                 SERVINGS: 6
      AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

     





    Ingredients:

    Egg 1 

    Whole wheat flour 1 3/4  cups (a little less than 2 cups)

     Granulated sugar 1/2 cup

     Oil (any neutral oil) 1/4 cup

     Buttermilk 1 cup

     Baking soda 1/2 tsp

     Baking powder 1/2 tsp

     Salt 1/2 tsp

     Vanilla essence 2 drops

     Chocholate chunks (use good eating chocolate, not compounded chocolate)

     Chocochips for topping

     Blueberries 1/2 cup (dried/dehydrated ones)

     Walnuts broken 1 cup

     Cranberries 1/4 cup

      Black raisins (optional) a handful


     Directions: Preheat oven to 175 C . In a large mixing bowl take an egg and beat until frothy. Add in the sugar, oil and buttermilk(please note, I skipped taking a picture of adding buttermilk, so I have represented it with curd. Please use a cup of buttermilk). Also add Vanilla essence, and beat well again for 2 minutes on medium speed. Now in another bowl take the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, blueberries, cranberries, raisins, walnuts, and mix well with spatula. Break the chocolate into chunks, and keep aside. Now add all the flour-nut and berry mixture into the wet mixture, and mix well with a spatula. Do not over mix or mix vigorously. Mix in a single direction until combined. Now add the chocolate chunks and give a gentle mix. Pour the cake batter into a greased 9 inch loaf pan, top with choco chips(optional), and bake at 175 c for 50 minutes. Since all ovens have a different temperature range, start checking from 40 minutes onward. When the cake is brown on top and a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean, (please note if you hit a chocolate chunk with the toothpick, it will be gooey, this doesn't mean the cake is undone, poke again at a different place to ensure). Switch off the oven and let the cake stand in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove, cool completely and then slice the cake. 


STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Preheat oven to 175 C . In a large mixing bowl take an egg and beat until frothy. Add in the sugar, oil and buttermilk(please note, I skipped taking a picture of adding buttermilk, so I have represented it with curd. Please use a cup of buttermilk). Also add vanilla essence, and beat well again for 2 minutes on medium speed.


2. Now in another bowl take the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, blueberries, cranberries, raisins, walnuts, and mix well with spatula. Break the chocolate into chunks, and keep aside.




3. Now add all the flour-nut and berry mixture into the wet mixture, and combine well with a spatula. Do not over mix or mix vigorously. Mix in a single direction until combined. Now add the chocolate chunks and give a gentle mix.




4. Pour the cake batter into a greased 9 inch loaf pan, top with choco chips(optional), and bake at 175 c for 50 minutes. Since all ovens have a different temperature range, start checking from 40 minutes onward. When the cake is brown on top and a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean, switch off the oven and let the cake stand in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove, cool completely and then slice the cake. 





NOTES:

1. Dates are commonly used in this cake, since I did not have them at the time of baking I have not added. I recommend that you add some.

2. Tutti fruity can also be used, though i have excluded it.

3. While mixing cake batter always mix in the same direction, this helps the cake to rise better. 

4. Please note, I skipped taking a picture of adding buttermilk, so I have represented it with curd. Please use a cup of buttermilk. To make 1 cup buttermilk, dilute 2 tbsp thick curd with 3/4 cup of water. Mix well. 

5. Since all ovens have a different temperature range, start checking from 40 minutes onward. Please note if you hit a chocolate chunk with the toothpick, it will be gooey, this doesn't mean the cake is undone, poke again at a different place to ensure.

6. No loaf pan, just use your regular cake dish. It is taste that matters after all.



If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes on your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchenn has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.


Thursday 11 February 2021

STRAWBERRY AND LEMON LOAF

 Strawberries are in season now and what better way than storing up on all the goodness on what they have to offer by making, jams, desserts or just eating them fresh. But of course who can refuse a good bowl of Strawberry and cream...are you a berry addict like me? then this dessert/bread is certainly for you. If you are not a fan of berries you shall become one after tasting this😀.

This as always is a one bowl recipe and one of the simplest. I have used Whole wheat flour in this recipe, which can be easily swapped with Maida/refined flour if you prefer. A simple dish does not need much of a description I believe, therefore lest get to the recipe directly.

While you are here do check out my other bakes like-  Millet Cookies, Easy 2 way Muffins, Upside down Orange Vanilla cake, Oatmeal Cookies, Baked Samosa Pie, Apple Crumble, Pineapple Jam Tart, Blueberry Cheese cake and more...


Here is the recipe for Strawberry Loaf for you-


     PREP TIME: 10                                       COOK TIME: 50Mins
     TOTAL TIME:60 MINS                          COURSE:  DESSERT/BREAD
     CUISINE:  WORLD                               SERVINGS: 1 LOAF
     AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 


Ingredients:

Fresh Strawberries 200 gm ( 12 to 15 pcs) chopped into cubes and a few lengthwise
Whole wheat flour 2 cups
Baking Soda 1 tsp
Lemon Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Zest of half a lemon
Egg 1 
Butter 100 gm melted
Milk 1 cup (+ 1/4 cup if required)
Salt a pinch

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

Sugar 1/4 cup
Lemon juice of 1/2 lemon
Warm water 2 tbsp

Directions for Lemon glaze: Mix together all ingredients until sugar is dissolved and set aside. Do not exceed the water limit mentioned.







Directions for Loaf:
Preheat oven to 180 C for 10 minutes. In a bowl sieve the whole wheat flour along with the baking soda. To this add the sugar and the strawberries chopped to cubes and mix well. In another bowl take the melted butter ,lemon juice, lemon zest and egg and mix well. Add this to the flour and sugar mix, and combine well. Now start adding the milk little by little to make a thick batter. If batter looks very dry add 1/4 cup milk or even less to adjust consistency. Now arrange a loaf tin with parchment/butter paper. Pour the batter into the tin and tap to remove air gaps. Now arrange the reserved strawberries that were cur lengthwise,  on the batter and press gently with your finger. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 50 minutes. Check for doneness by piercing with a toothpick in the center. If undone bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the cake from oven, prick holes all over it and pour the prepared lemon glaze when hot. Allow to cool completely and then remove from loaf tin. The yummy Strawberry and lemon loaf is ready to serve with tea or as dessert.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:
1. Preheat oven to 180 C for 10 minutes. In a bowl sieve the whole wheat flour along with the baking soda. 





2. To this add the sugar and the strawberries chopped to cubes, add a pinch of salt and mix well.




3. In another bowl take the melted butter, egg, add lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well. Add this to the flour and sugar mix, and combine well. 





4. Now start adding the milk little by little to make a thick batter. If batter looks very dry add 1/4 cup milk or even less to adjust consistency. Now arrange a loaf tin with parchment/butter paper. 



5. Pour the batter into the tin and tap to remove air gaps. Now arrange the reserved strawberries that were cur lengthwise,  on the batter and press gently with your finger. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 50 minutes.





6. Check for doneness by piercing with a toothpick in the center. If undone bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the cake from oven, prick holes all over it and pour the prepared lemon glaze when hot. Allow to cool completely and then remove from loaf tin.




NOTES:
1. I have used Fresh strawberries as they are in season now. Alternately dried ones can be used. If using frozen strawberries use without thawing.
2. Feel free to use refined flour if you prefer.
3. Egg may be swapped with flax egg, but I have not tried it for this recipe, therefore cannot comment now on the texture. When I make it with flax egg I shall update here.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

Wednesday 20 January 2021

GARLIC NAAN

 Usually when we think of Naan we think of eating it at a restaurant. That's also the reason why I have never attempted to make this at home until now. But the Pandemic has made us all crave restaurant style food at home and so the search for the perfect Naan recipe, which can be made at home easily, without any sophisticated gadgets was on. 

Its also common knowledge that an Iron Kadai is used to cook the Naan. But I wanted to get the dough right. One which will yield perfect Naans without much effort and also I did not want to make the instant one with baking soda, because when baking soda is used  the dough must go on the girdle immediately without resting it. I always prefer resting the dough, be it Roti's, Paratha's or Naan. So, in this recipe I have used yeast, because that is what gives the perfect texture and fluffiness to the Naan.

As far as possible I try to use less, or no Maida, but, to get the fluffiness the Maida needs to be added, whereas taste and nutrition comes from wheat. So in this recipe I have used both. The result was fluffy and perfectly cooked Naan's.   

While you are here check out my other bread recipes like Aloo Methi Paratha, Beetroot Paratha, Missi Roti and more...

Here is the recipe of Garlic Naan for you-


 

    PREP TIME: 10 MINS+ 2 hrs                               COOK TIME:15 MINS

    TOTAL TIME: 2 hr 25 MINS                                  COURSE: MAIN 

    CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                                   SERVINGS: 5

     AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM









    Ingredients for dough:

    Whole Wheat flour 2 cups

    Maida 2 cups

    Water(lukewarm) 1 cup ( refer note1)

    Dry yeast 2 tsp

    Sugar 1 tbsp

    Salt to taste or 1 tsp

    Oil 3 tbsp

    Curd 2 tbsp

    Milk less than1/2 cup

    Fresh coriander leaves finely chopped

    Kalonji/ Nigella seeds  2 tsp


   For Garlic butter:

   Table butter/salted butter 50 gm

   Garlic 2 pods minced

   Coriander leaves finely chopped 1 tsp

Directions to make Garlic butter: Put all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, alternately put the ingredients in a bowl and melt the butter.

Directions: 

In a large mixing bowl take both the flours, add the salt and mix well. Now in a bowl take lukewarm water, add the sugar followed by the yeast. Let this stand for 10 mins or until the yeast blooms and becomes frothy. Now to the bowl of bloomed yeast add the oil, milk and curd and mix well. Now use this mixture to knead the dough. Add little at a time to knead the dough. In case after using the whole mixture the dough is still dry, add water to make the dough. The dough will be sticky, but stiff. Grease a container and put the dough in it to rest 2 hours. After 2 hours, the dough would have doubled up in size. Take it out, punch to release the air inside and knead again. Now divide the dough into 10 equal portions. Dust a little flour and roll out in oval shape. Sprinkle the Kalonji/Nigella seeds and fresh coriander and gently press it on the rolled dough. Take an iron Kadai (non stick doesn't give the best results), and invert it over the gas flame. When it is hot, stick the rolled out Naan on it and cook. When done the Naan comes out easily, without sticking. Now remove the Naan from the Kadai and transfer over direct flame and cook on both sides like how you would a Phulka. Transfer to a plate, apply the garlic butter over it and serve hot. 


Serving Suggestions: Serve this Naan with Paneer Butter Masala, Mava Paneer Curry. Also goes well with Dal Makhni, Paneer Khurchan, Choley or Rajma.


STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a large mixing bowl take both the flours, add the salt and mix well. Now in a bowl take lukewarm water, add the sugar followed by the yeast. Let this stand for 10 mins or until the yeast blooms and becomes frothy.




2. Now to the bowl of bloomed yeast add the oil, milk and curd and mix well. Now use this mixture to knead the dough. Add little at a time to knead the dough. In case after using the whole mixture the dough is still dry, add water to make the dough. The dough will be sticky, but stiff. Grease a container and put the dough in it to rest 2 hours. ( Please add the sugar, curd and milk, those pictures are not here and will be added as soon as possible)




3. After 2 hours, the dough would have doubled up in size. Take it out, punch to release the air inside and knead again. Now divide the dough into 10 equal portions. Dust a little flour and roll out in oval shape. Sprinkle the Kalonji/Nigella seeds and fresh coriander and gently press it on the rolled dough




4. Take an iron Kadai (non stick doesn't give the best results), and invert it over the gas flame. When it is hot, stick the rolled out Naan on it and cook. When done the Naan comes out easily, without sticking. Now remove the Naan from the Kadai and transfer over direct flame and cook on both sides like how you would a Phulka. Transfer to a plate, apply the garlic butter over it and serve hot. 


    NOTES:

1. The dry yeast must always be added to lukewarm water and not hot water. The temperature of the water is right if your finger immersed in water is able to bear the heat.

2. The Naan can be customized with whatever you prefer, if not garlic. Just apply plain butter without garlic for butter Naan or top it up with cheese for Cheese Naan. 

3. The dough should have risen well for the perfect turnout. So plan making the dough ahead.


If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

Wednesday 14 October 2020

ALOO METHI PARATHA

There is no doubt that Aloo Parathas are the king of Parathas. But once the Methi leaves season comes, I make these Aloo Methi Parathas which are healthy as the Methi leaves are rich in iron and fiber. They lift the regular Aloo paratha to a different level. The Methi leaves themselves are very aromatic and when added to any dish they enhance the flavour and aroma of that dish manifold.

Aloo Methi is a popular north Indian subji that I have stuffed into these Parathas. which makes this dish a wholesome lunchbox option for kids and adults alike. It is also a good way to make kids eat the Methi leaves.

Using fresh methi leaves also gives the Parathas wonderful texture. I have not tried this paratha with Kasoori methi as firstly a huge amount of it will be required because dried leaves will lack volume, and secondly nothing can compensate for the taste of fresh methi leaves.

While you are here please check out my other flatbread/ Paratha recipes like Beetroot Paratha, Missi Roti, Garlic Lachcha paratha, and more...


Here is the recipe for Aloo Methi Paratha for you-

  PREP TIME: 20                                      COOK TIME: 30Mins
 TOTAL TIME:50Mins                               COURSE:  BREADS
 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                  SERVINGS: 6
 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 





   Ingredients for stuffing:

   Aloo/ Potatoes 5 medium-sized,  boil, skin peeled and mashed

   Methi leaves/Fenugreek leaves 1 bunch finely chopped

   Salt as required

   Red chili powder 1 tsp(or more as per spice)

   Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

   Coriander powder  2 tsp

   Fennel powder 1 tsp

   Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

   Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

   Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp

   Oil for tempering 1 tbsp


   Ingredients for dough:

   Whole wheat flour 3 cups

   Salt a pinch

   Oil 1 tsp

   Water for kneading

   Oil for cooking the Parathas


Directions for making the stuffing:

Chop the Methi leaves finely and wash them thoroughly. Drain all the water and keep aside. Boil the potatoes, peel the skin, and mash them.  In a pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Drop the mustard seeds and as they crackle add the cumin seeds and turmeric powder. Now add the washed and drained Methi leaves and saute. Add salt followed by red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and continue to saute. The methi leaves will release moisture, keep sauteeing and let the moisture dry out. Now add the mashed potato to the Methi leaves, little by little, and mix them nicely. The Methi leaves should have combined evenly with the potato mash. Finally, add some Garam masala powder, mix once again, and allow the mixture to cool.  


Directions to make the dough:

Take 3 cups whole wheat flour in a big mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of oil and mix well. Now adding water, a little at a time, combine to follow a slightly tough dough. A loose dough will not help in spreading the filling well. Rest the dough for 20 minutes.


Directions to make the Paratha:

Take the dough and pinch it into balls and divide it into 12 equal portions. Now dust one ball at a time in flour and roll it out into a palm-sized circle. Take about 2 tbsp of stuffing and put it in the center of the circle. Bring all the sides together and seal the stuffing. Now dust the stuffing filled ball in flour again and roll it out into a thick and medium-sized circle. Heat a girdle/tava and put the Paratha on it. Drizzle some oil over it and cook on one side. Flip over and cook on the other side too, drizzling a little oil on it. Cook both sides until brown dots appear. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing. The yummy and wholesome, one meal parathas are ready. Enjoy. Bon Appetit.


Serving suggestions-- as it is filled with a proper subji it actually doesn't need anything to go with. One can just enjoy them with a dollop of butter and plain curd. 


STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Chop the Methi leaves finely and wash them thoroughly. Drain all the water and keep aside. Boil the potatoes, peel the skin, and mash them.



2. In a pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Drop the mustard seeds and as they crackle add the cumin seeds and turmeric powder. Now add the washed and drained Methi leaves and saute.



3. Add salt followed by red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and continue to saute. The methi leaves will release moisture, keep sauteeing and let the moisture dry out. Now add the mashed potato to the Methi leaves, little by little, and mix them nicely. 



4. The Methi leaves should have combined evenly with the potato mash. Finally, add some Garam masala powder, mix once again, and allow the mixture to cool.  



5. Take 3 cups whole wheat flour in a big mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of oil and mix well. Now adding water, a little at a time, combine to follow a slightly tough dough. Rest the dough for 20 minutes.



6. Take the dough and pinch it into balls and divide it into 12 equal portions. Now dust one ball at a time in flour and roll it out into a palm-sized circle. Take about 2 tbsp of stuffing and put it in the center of the circle. Bring all the sides together and seal the stuffing.



7. Now dust the stuffing filled ball in flour again and roll it out into a thick and medium-sized circle. 



8. Heat a girdle/tava and put the Paratha on it. Drizzle some oil over it and cook on one side. Flip over and cook on the other side too, drizzling a little oil on it. Cook both sides until brown dots appear. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing.





NOTES:

1. One can try the paratha using Kasoori Methi, but I have not tested this method, as I have mentioned above, it might not give the right texture and flavor.
2. Some potatoes absorb a lot of water while cooking, therefore choose ones that cook a little dry. Alternately don't overcook the potatoes. Cook them adequately and grate them through. I don't mind a few potato lumps in between, so I don't process them so much.
3. I don't use garlic or onions in this recipe and so cannot tell how the taste will be.


If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.





Wednesday 30 September 2020

GARLIC LACHCHA PARATHA(Multigrain flour)

Lachcha Paratha is a popular Paratha variety that we find at all Indian/North Indian restaurants. Earlier I would be very intrigued by the way the layers were created and had my own theory of how they must be done😀(this was before the internet took over us and all recipes became household). The recipes at that time showed a very complicated process and as a person just venturing into cooking(more than 20 years back), I found the process very intimidating. Then as time passed by and I started gaining confidence in the cooking arena I tried out this Lachcha Paratha(had to rely on pictures only) and it turned out fine. The efforts put were greater than the outcome at that time, so I stopped experimenting with it. After a few years, I suddenly developed an interest in recreating it again. But this time I was better equipped with knowledge and practice. Today I can try out this Paratha with any flour, that is Wheat, Maida, or Multigrain and the results are always great. The method I am giving here is a very simple one which even beginners will find easy to follow.  

The recipe that I am blogging now uses Multigrain flour(store-bought). I use Wheat flour and Multigrain flour mostly for all my bread/roti/paratha recipes. I am not much of a fan of Maida, though I do use it in some dishes where it is necessary and also in Parathas(just about a tablespoon for the pliability).

There will always be a difference in textures when we experiment with different flours, and one should be open to it. In this recipe, I have not used baking powder or baking soda for the fluffiness, so they may not be entirely fluffy, but will definitely be flaky.

While you are here please check out my other bread recipes like Beetroot Paratha and Missi Roti.

Serving Suggestions: Matar Paneer, Palak Paneer, Mava Paneer Curry, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Kadai Paneer, all go very well with this Garlic Lachcha Paratha.

Here is the recipe of Garlic Lachcha Paratha for you-

PREP TIME: 20 Mins                                      COOK TIME: 20 Mins
TOTAL TIME: 40Mins                                     COURSE:  BREAD
CUISINE:  INDIAN                                         SERVINGS: 5(10 Pcs)
AUTHOR: Rajni Ram





Ingredients:

Multigrain flour 3 cups

Maida 1 tbsp

Oil for kneading 1 tbsp water as required

Butter 50 gm

Garlic 3 cloves finely chopped

Fresh coriander leaves finely chopped 2 tsp

Salt 1/4 tsp


Directions:

In a big mixing bowl take the multigrain flour, add the tiny amount of maida and salt and mix well. Create a well in the center and pour the oil. Now work the oil into the flour(no water to be added at this stage) nicely. Now create a well in the center again. Now knead the dough adding a little water at a time. We want a dough that is neither too tough nor too soft. The texture should be like Chapati dough. Rest the dough for 20 minutes to half an hour.

For Garlic Butter:

Take 50 gm butter ina bowl, add the crushed garlic and coriander leaves to it, and microwave for 30 seconds. The butter to only melt and not boil. Alternately you can keep the bowl of butter in some hot water to melt and then add the garlic and coriander. 

To make Parathas: Divide the dough into 10 big balls. Now take one ball at a time and roll it in dry flour. Place it on your rolling board and roll it out into a big Chapati first. Apply the garlic butter on the chapati with a brush, liberally. Now pleat the Chapati or fold like a fan( refer video). Arrange the pleated dough into a roll, press it down with your fingers, dust it with a little flour and start rolling it out again gently. Roll it out a little thick and medium-sized. Now heat a girdle/tava and put the rolled out Paratha on it. Drizzle a little oil and cook on one side, flip on the other side, apply oil, and cook. You will see the flakes rising out. Cook until nicely brown and crisp. Serve right out of the girdle. The Lachcha paratha is ready!!!

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a big mixing bowl take the multigrain flour, add the tiny amount of maida and salt and mix well. Create a well in the center and pour the oil. Now work the oil into the flour(no water to be added at this stage) nicely.



2. Now create a well in the center again. Now knead the dough adding a little water at a time. We want a dough that is neither too tough nor too soft. Rest the dough for 20 minutes to half an hour.




3. Take 50 gm butter in a bowl, add the crushed garlic and coriander leaves to it, and microwave for 30 seconds. The butter to only melt and not boil. Alternately you can keep the bowl of butter in some hot water to melt and then add the garlic and coriander. 




4. Method to make Garlic Lachcha Paratha video given here👇







My platter of flaky Garlic Paratha and Matar Paneer with Boondi Raita





Tuesday 4 August 2020

BEETROOT PARATHA

Parathas are flatbreads stuffed with grated or mashed vegetables. Sometimes the vegetables are not stuffed but mixed in with the dough. This Paratha is one such recipe.

I resisted making these parathas for a whole month. I like Beetroot Poriyal( dry subji) a lot and I love Beetroot Halwa, but the thought of Beetroot in paratha sounded a little off track. My girl kept trying to convince me that I should give it a try and I kept dodging, saying I couldn't imagine a sweetish paratha. The internet has a quite many beetroot paratha recipes, but I refused to look at them. Then one day when I ran out of options to cook dinner, I thought why not give it a try. But the challenge was to balance the sweetness with some spice and at the same time the beetroot is a mild vegetable and also spices do not go very well with it, so I decided to keep it simple.

I am more than willing to say I don’t regret making the Beetroot Paratha at all. It tasted so good and the lovely aroma while cooking the parathas was difficult to resist. So much so RK who isn’t a beetroot liker at all gave the parathas a thumbs up. Beetroot paratha is definitely becoming a regular at my house.

While you are here please check out other recipes on Rajjo’s Kitchen like

Here is the recipe of Beetroot Paratha for you—

PREP TIME: 15Mins                                COOK TIME: 25 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 40 MINS                            COURSE:  BREADS 
CUISINE: INDIAN                                    SERVINGS: 6
                                                                  AUTHOR: Rajni Ram     



Ingredients:
Beetroot 1 Medium  grated
Whole wheat flour 3 cups
Ginger 1 inch piece chopped
Green chillies 3 
Salt as per taste
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Water as required for making dough
Ol for cooking Parathas

Directions:
Grate the Beetroot and keep ready. In a mixer grind the green chillies and ginger to a fine paste without adding water. Now in a bowl/dish take 3 cups of wheat flour, salt as required, red chilli powder, coriander powder and the green chilli- ginger paste. Now add in the grated beetroot and start combining with your hand. Do not add any water at this stage. The beetroot also will release some moisture. So once you have combined the flour, spices and the wheat flour nicely, then start adding water little by little. The consistency should be like that of Chapati dough. Rest the dough for 15 minutes and then pinch small portions of the dough and form balls. This quantity yields 12 Parathas. Now dust each ball with flour and roll out to form a medium-sized Paratha. The dough must be rolled out a little thick. The colourful and delicious Beetroot Paratha is ready. Enjoy this colourful and flavourful Paratha. Bon Appetit.
 
Serving Suggestions: Usually parathas are served with pickle, butter and raita or curd. For this particular paratha, I suggest excluding the pickle as they will be very diverse in taste.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Grate the Beetroot, make a paste of the green chillies and ginger and keep ready.


2. In a bowl or dish take 3 cups of whole wheat flour. Add the red chilli powder coriander powder, salt plus the chilli- ginger paste to this.


3. Now add the grated beetroot and mix well. Don't add any water at this stage keep mixing it with your hands until all the moisture of the beetroot is absorbed by the wheat flour.


4. Now add water a little at a time and start combining to form a dough. The dough should neither be stiff not too loose. It should resemble the Chapati dough in consistency.


5. Now pinch small portions of the dough and shape them to balls. This quantity gives around 12 of them. Now dust each ball with flour and roll it out into a thick Paratha. Cook both sides on a hot girdle drizzling some oil, until tiny light brown dots appear. The yummy beetroot paratha is ready to tuck in.


NOTES:
1. The flavour of this Paratha is very subtle, so the spice powders should be used minimally.
2. This is a no onion- no garlic paratha, it is best kept that way as the pungency of garlic may not go with the taste.
3. Coriander leaves could be added if you prefer, but I have not used them in this recipe.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you.

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Monday 20 July 2020

MISSI ROTI

Missi Roti is a simple Indian flatbread made from Besan(gram flour) and Atta(wheat flour), Spices and onions give this an amazing flavour. It is a popular dish in North India. Served with a dollop of butter and some pickle, it is a meal by itself. It can be served with curry varieties like Mixed Vegetable CurryDrumstick Curry, Matar Paneer, Palak Paneer Koftas, and Lauki Kaddu Ke Kofthey.

I had this Roti for the first time about 18 years ago in a remote township in Andhra, where the cook at the official guest house was from Bihar and had prepared this for a get-together. I liked this Roti so much that I asked him to teach it to me(as there was no internet those days and we learnt cooking from cookery books or a cookery show on television). The cook(Maharaj as they are called)obliged and I learnt this lovely flatbread recipe. I made it a couple of times after that and until recently it was forgotten I my recipe book(in which I enter recipes after they have been tried and tested a couple of times). I chanced upon it while searching for another recipe in my book and the memories came flooding. So here is the recipe as it is really blog-worthy.  
I have seen many versions of this recipe, but I am sticking to the way I was taught. 


Serving Suggestion: Missi Roti with pickle and butter, Missi Roti with Paneer Butter Masala, Missi Roti with Kadai vegetable or Missi Roti with Dal Makhni/Choley etc;
My favourite combination is with pickle and butter.  

Here's the recipe of Missi Roti...

PREP TIME: 20 Mins                                      COOK TIME: 20 Mins
TOTAL TIME: 40Mins                                     COURSE:  BREADS
CUISINE:  INDIAN                                         SERVINGS: 4(8 Pcs)
AUTHOR: Rajni Ram




Ingredients:

Besan/gram flour 1.5 cups
Atta/wheat flour 3/4 cup
Onion 1 finely chopped
Coriander leaves 1 tbsp finely chopped
Green chillies 3 finely chopped
Ginger 1/2 inch finely chopped
Salt as per taste
Oil 1 tsp for dough
Red chilli powder 1.5 tsp
Amchur powder/dry mango powder 1 tsp
Black pepper powder 1/2 tsp
Ajwain 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Oil for roasting the Rotis

Directions:
In a dish take the Besan and Atta and add all ingredients one by one into it.  Mix nicely until the onion's moisture is absorbed by the flour. Now pour water little by little and combine to form a pliable dough, not very stiff. Keep covered for 15 minutes. Now pinch small portions of the dough to form roundels. You will get about 8 from this quantity. Now roll them out into Rotis gently. Since I have used more of Besan, it cannot be spread much unlike Roti. This bread is usually rolled small only.
Now heat a Tava/girdle and smear some oil on it. Put the roti on the tava and cook, drizzle some oil and flip over and cook the other side too. small brownish dots should appear on the Roti. Remove from heat and repeat the same for all roundels. 
The aromatic Missi Roti is ready...some pickle and butter and  it is ready to tuck in...Enjoy. Bon Appetit.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:
1. Assemble all ingredients.

2. Take the Atta and Besan in a dish.

3. Add all ingredients one by one and mix nicely with hand so that the moisture of the onion is absorbed by the flour.

4. Now pour water little by little and combine to form a pliable dough. It should not be too stiff. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.

5. Now pinch the dough into 8 portions to form roundels. Dust each with flour and roll them out into Rotis.

6. Put on hot Tava/girdle and cook one side, drizzle oil, flip and cook on the other side. Keep flipping until light brown spots are formed on the Rotis. Repeat for all roundels. Missi Roti is ready...Enjoy with any curry of your choice or pickle and butter.



NOTES:
1. I have stuck to the proportion of more Besan that Atta because in Missi Roti the Besan Taste should dominate. More atta is used to make it pliable but the flavour gets compensated.
2. Usually, people are little reluctant to use Besan because of its gassy nature. That is why we have used Ajwain(carrom seeds) here. Little asafoetida can be added to the water that we are going to mix the dough with. This also aids in better digestion. 
3. These Rotis can be made ahead and keep and they just need to be warmed before serving. The besan keeps the rotis soft.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you.

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