Gobi Paratha
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Gobi paratha (cauliflower paratha), a paratha having delicious stuffing of gobhi (cauliflower) which is a popular breakfast food in North India and especially in Punjab. As with all stuffed parathas, the process for making this one also is largely similar and only varies in terms of preparation of stuffing. However, this is where the crux lies and the use of potato, onion, coriander and perfectly balanced spices sets apart this recipe from others. Follow this recipe and be assured that your taste buds will happiest one in the town.
| Ingredients: |
| 1½ cups + 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour |
| 2 cups grated Cauliflower (gobi) |
| 1 small Potato, boiled, peeled, grated, optional |
| 1/4 teaspoon Cumin Seeds |
| 1 medium Onion, finely chopped |
| 1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste |
| 1 Green Chilli, finely chopped |
| 2 tablespoons finely chopped Coriander Leaves |
| 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice or Dry Mango Powder (Amchur Powder) |
| 1/3 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder |
| 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric Powder |
| 1/4 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder |
| 5 teaspoons Oil + for shallow frying |
| 2 tablespoons Butter, for serving |
| Salt to taste |
Directions:
- Mix 1½ cups flour, 2-teaspoons oil and salt in a large wide mouthed bowl. Add water as required in small incremental quantities and knead a smooth dough (like chapati or roti dough). Grease the surface of dough with 1-teaspoon oil. Cover the dough with a plate rest it for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- In the meantime, prepare the stuffing. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a pan over medium flame. Add cumin seeds; when they start to crackle, add finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns light brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilli and sauté for approx. 30 seconds.
- Add grated cauliflower and salt and mix well.
- Cook it until the cauliflower mixture turns little dry, for approx. 6-7 minutes. Stir in between occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add garam masala powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice (or dry mango powder) and coriander leaves. Mix well and cook for a minute. Add grated boiled potato.
- Mix properly and turn off the flame. Gobi masala stuffing is ready; let it cool for 5-7 minutes. Divide it into 6 equal portions.
- Divide dough into 6 equal parts and give them a round shape of ball.
- Take 1/2 cup dry wheat flour in a medium plate for dusting. Take one dough ball, press it between your palms or on roti making board and make flat pattie. Coat the pattie with dry wheat flour and place it on a rolling board/roti making board (chakla). Roll it out into a thick circle of approx. 4-5 inch diameter. Put one portion of stuffing in the center.
- Enclose it by pulling all round surface towards top, seal the edges and again give a round shape of ball.
- Gently press stuffed ball on rolling board and give it a shape of pattie.
- Coat it with dry flour and roll it out into a raw stuffed paratha of approx. 6-7 inch diameter (like roti or chapati) having approx 1/2 centimeter thickness.
- Heat the tava over medium flame. Place raw paratha on a hot tava/griddle and cook for around 30-40 seconds. Flip and spread 1/2 teaspoon oil evenly on each side with the help of spatula and cook each side for approx 30-40 seconds. Flip and cook until golden brown spots appear on both sides.
- Transfer gobi paratha to a plate and spread butter on it. Prepare parathas from remaining dough balls. Serve them hot with potato curry and your favorite sour and spicy pickle.
Tips and Variations:
- Knead a very smooth dough to roll out stuffed paratha easily. To make extra smooth parathas, knead the dough using milk instead of water.
- Increase the quantity of green chilli for a hot spicy taste.
- When you spread butter, slightly pinch paratha at multiple places using spoon so that some melted butter goes inside it. This will give it a heavenly texture.
Taste: Soft and mild spicy.
Serving Ideas: There are endless ways in which gobi ka paratha can be served. E.g. it tastes irresistibly yummy when served with mint raita or plain curd, it makes wholesome Punjabi meal when served with matar paneer, tomato chutney and glass of salted lassi, etc. The real gobhi paratha aficionados love to eat it as a healthy and stomach feeling breakfast with tea or coffee as well. Wrap it in aluminum foil and pack it in your kid’s lunchbox.