A look at the Indian breadbasket

This is in continuation of what you can find as breads when you are looking for Indian vegetarian recipes.

Bhatura: deep-fried leavened bread

A popular Punjabi deep-fried bread which is inseparable from chick peas especially in the combination of ‘chholay bhatura’. It would be more appropriate to call bhatura semi leavened as the fermentation is done with yogurt and baking powder. The downside of this bread is that is quite oily but once placed on a kitchen paper, some of the oil is absorbed.

Puri: deep-fried bread

Oddly enough the name is derived from the Hindi word puri which means complete. Be it any major occasion like a party or marriage, puris will inevitably be gracing the tables. Called the queen of all breads, many puris can be fried at one time and when there is mass preparation this is the ultimate choice. Though the puffiness settles as the puris cool down, the fact remains that the bread is soft enough to wipe off many a gravy from a dish.

Roomali roti: handkerchief bread

Now this one is an artistic presentation! The origin lies in the Mughal days. It gets its name from its texture and size, though not its shape- for it is circular and not rectangular (handkerchiefs are!). The dough is made using plain white and whole-wheat flour and kneaded well. After being put to rest for 45-60 minutes the dough is ready for further treatment. It is rolled slightly and then flicked up with the tips of the fingers so that the stretching action increases the circumference of the roti. The griddle (tawa) is to be kept inverted, convex side up, on the heat. Once the roti is placed the cooking takes seconds to complete because the roti is very thin. Roomali roti is served folded in half and then quarter. Though best had hot, in case it is to be served later the rotis should be steamed or the container placed in an oven on medium heat for 5-10 minutes. It is important to serve this bread moist otherwise it tends to become papery and of course, rather unpalatable.

Now that an extended and deep introduction has been made with Indian vegetarian recipes, let’s try out our hand at making a few more breads at home. Moong dal puri, Peshwari naan, Paneer kulcha.