LAYERED, buttery AND FLAKY THIS HANDMADE FLATBREAD IS A SOUTH ASIAN meal essential.

Serves: 8 parathas

Cook Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 ¼  cups of flour

• 2 ½ tbsp of ghee

• ½ cup of water

• 2 tsp of salt

• 1 tsp of sugar 

• 1 cup of oil (Vegetable or Extra Virgin Olive oil, your choice!) 

INSTRUCTIONS:

⋄ Step 1:

Using a large bowl, add 2 ¼ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and gently mix.

Slowly pour in your ½ cup of water as you mix everything together to form the dough.

⋄ Step 2:

Lightly dust your flat working surface with flour so the dough does not stick to the surface. Place dough on the flat surface and knead for about 5 minutes (or until the dough is smooth). Add water if the dough is too clumpy or add flour if the dough feels too runny.

Form dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl. Spread some oil on top to keep the dough from drying.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. 

⋄ Step 3:

After resting for 30 minutes, lightly dust your flat working surface with flour. Place dough on the flat surface and form the dough into 8 small balls. Place each small ball back into the bowl, once all small balls are in the bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 5 minutes.

⋄ Step 4:

After resting for 5 minutes, lightly dust your flat working surface with flour. Take a ball and place it onto your surface and work the dough into a ½inch thick disk using your fingers (Apply even gentle pressure working from the center outwards rotating the dough to achieve a consistent thickness).

⋄ Step 5:

 Sprinkle some flour on top of the disk and using a rolling pin, roll your disk out until thin and round (roughly ¼ inch thick). Spread a little oil on top. Take the disk and fold in half 4 times till it forms a square shape.

Repeat the process for the remainder of the small dough balls.

Once they’re all square, place all 8 dough squares into the large bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let rest again for 5 minutes.

⋄ Step 6:

After resting for 5 minutes, lightly dust your flat working surface with flour. Take a square and place it onto your surface and roll the dough square into a ¼ inch thick square.

Repeat the process for the remainder of the dough squares.

⋄ Step 7:

Using a large pan, add a tablespoon of oil, and spread it around on medium-high heat.

Once the pan is hot, add rolled out dough square onto the pan, flipping occasionally (about every 30 seconds) and gently pressing down on the middle with your spatula for an even cook in the middle. Add more oil if desired.

Repeat the process for the remainder of the batch.

Paratha can be enjoyed with countless dishes; it can be enjoyed with eggs, curry, or even try it with a South Asian dessert for a sweet and savory treat.

From our kitchen to yours,  Bismillah.