Monday, January 14, 2013

Paneer Paratha - Cottage Cheese Stuffed Wheat Bread


Northern part of India is widely known for a variety of Parathas made from Wheat flour and different stuffing. This cuisine is usually eaten as breakfast or can pack for lunch as well. They are heavy and highly nutritious. Most of us love Paneer and this is yummy with grated cottage cheese and greens.









Ingredients for Dough :

  1.  Atta (Wheat Flour) - 1 cup
  2. Ajwain (Carom Seeds) - 1 Tb.spn
  3. Jeera (Cumin Seeds) - 1 tb spn
  4. Salt to taste
  5. Ghee / Oil ( 2 tb.spn) - Optional
  6. Water to knead dough

For Stuffing

  1.  Grated Paneer - 1 Cup
  2. Green Chili - 3 - 4 (as needed) finely chopped
  3. Coriander leaves - a bunch - finely chopped
  4. 1/2 Inch Ginger - Finely chopped
  5. Red chili powder - 1/2 tb or as needed
  6. Salt as per taste
Oil / Ghee for frying the Parathas.


Preparation Steps:
  1. Mix the dry ingredients of dough with Atta and add oil
  2. Mix slowly with hand, and add water slowly and knead to make the dough.
  3. Dough should be soft and not loose, so be careful while adding water.
  4. Cover and keep the dough aside for 15 - 20 minutes.
  5. Mix all the ingredients of stuffing and check for adding more salt of spice
  6. Make medium size balls (slightly small than tennis ball) from the dough to roll out Parathas
  7. Roll out the balls using a rolling pin of around 10 cm diameter, it should be thick.
  8. Spread 2/3 spoons of stuffing as needed and pick the edges and seal, pat the stuffed balls with some flour before rolling them out.
  9. Press down gently  with your fingers keeping the sealing on top, to make it flat so that it can be rolled.
  10. Roll it to approx 15 - 17 cm diameter. Do not roll out too thin. (will post some pictures separately on how to do stuffing & alternate methods to do stuffing)
  11. Heat Tawa and place the Paratha on it, When the paratha puff up a little turn it over.
  12. Apply ghee or oil, and press with a spatula and turn over. Apply ghee the other side too.
  13. Take it off the flame when cooked thoroughly on both sides.
  14. Serve hot with cold yogurt or pickle. 
  15. Alternatively can apply a thin layer of butter, and roll it. Kids love this.
  16. Cool completely in the open if you want to box them for later.