When it comes to a special and filling dish in Indian cuisine, Aloo Paratha (potato-stuffed flatbread) tops the list. Especially in North India and the streets of Delhi, the aroma of these parathas sizzling on stoves every morning is captivating. Be it a cold morning or a holiday, everyone loves the taste of Aloo Paratha.
Ingredients Required
For the Dough:
- 1 bowl of wheat flour
- Water as needed
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon oil or ghee (for shortening)
For the Filling:
- 7 medium-sized boiled potatoes
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 1 inch ginger (grated)
- 2 finely chopped green chilies
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon ghee (for tempering)
For Frying:
- Ghee or butter as needed
Instructions
1. Kneading the Dough
First, take the flour in a bowl, add a little salt and 1 teaspoon of ghee or oil. Then, add water as needed and knead the dough until it is soft and pliable. Cover it and let it rest for 15-20 minutes so that it sets.
2. Preparing the Filling
Peel the boiled potatoes and mash them well. Now, place a pan on the gas stove and add a teaspoon of ghee. When the ghee is hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until light golden brown. Then add ginger and green chilies and sauté for a few seconds.
Now add the mashed potatoes and all the dry spices - salt, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala and cumin powder - and mix well. Cook this mixture on medium heat for 3-4 minutes so that the spices are cooked properly. Now turn off the gas and let the filling cool down.
3. Rolling and Filling the Paratha
Now take a medium-sized dough ball from the kneaded dough and roll it gently with your hands. Place the prepared filling in the middle and lift it from all sides to close the dough ball. Now roll the paratha gently with a rolling pin. Be careful that the paratha does not tear.
4. Cooking and Serving the Paratha
Heat a griddle (tava) and place the paratha on it. Cook lightly from both sides. Now add a little ghee or butter and fry on both sides until crispy and golden brown. You can also use butter or butter instead of ghee.
Serving Suggestion
Remove the hot parathas to a plate and place a small piece of butter on top. Serve with fresh yogurt, mango pickle, and sweet lassi. You can also add coriander-mint chutney – it will add to the taste!
Useful Tips
- If you like the paratha to be more spicy, you can also add chaat masala and kasuri methi to the filling.
- Keep the spices mild for children and serve with tomato sauce.
- Using butter or desi butter instead of ghee enhances the taste.
- Parathas can also be served as "Kelewa" (pre-meal snack).
Aloo Paratha is a special identity of North Indian food. They are delicious in taste and easy to make. Parathas made with the right spices and filling are liked by all members of the house. The joy of eating hot paratha with curd, pickle or butter is doubled. By adopting this recipe, you can also make delicious and traditional Aloo Paratha at your home.
