Wednesday, August 24, 2011

PURAN POLI (SWEET PAN FRIED FLATBREAD)




INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Chana Dal (Split yellow pea)
1 Cup Jaggery (grated)
1 Cup whole wheat
1/2 Cup all purpose flour
1Tsp cardamom powder
1Tsp nutmeg (optional)

METHOD:
  • Wash the Chana Daal thoroughly and soak overnight in warm water.
  • Cook the Chana Daal with very little water, till soft and paste-like (a pressure cooker makes short work of this!).
  • Simmer the flame, make sure all the water has dried. Now add the jaggery pieces and stir continuously till they melt and are well mixed with the Chana Daal paste.
  • Add the cardamom powder to this paste and blend well. Remove from fire and keep aside for later use.
  • Put the flour in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add a little water and the oil into this well. Use your fingers to knead this into a smooth, medium-firm dough, adding more water as required.
  • Divide the dough into equal portions and roll into smooth, seam-free balls.
  • Clean and flour a rolling surface. Take one ball of dough and flatten it with your fingers. Roll it out into a 3-4" circle. Now spoon some of the Chana Daal-Jaggery paste into the center of this circle. Fold the edges of the circle over the paste and pinch together to seal.
  • Flatten this new ball gently with your fingers and use a rolling pin and gentle, circular pressure to roll it out into a 5-6" circle. Do this with all the dough and Chana Daal-Jaggery paste.
  • Heat a griddle till hot, on a medium flame. Place one rolled out circle on it and cook till tiny bubbles appear on the upper surface. Flip with a spatula now. Cook till small brown dots begin to appear on the lower surface and flip again. The Puran Poli will begin to give of a lovely cooked aroma about now. Remove from the fire and smear on either side with ghee. Keep in a heatproof container for later or eat right away with a dollop of cream!