Aloo Paratha

Serving Size: 8

Aloo paratha are Indian breakfast flatbreads made with whole wheat flour, mashed potatoes, spices and herbs. They are perfect for dipping into dals and stews or eating alongside assorted condiments. Note: This recipe requires 2 skillets for cooking the paratha.

Recipe by: Priya Krishna

Cook Times

Active Prep20

Hands-On Cook20

Hands-Off Cook15

Passive20

Total Time1 15

Recipe Serving Size8

Cooking Tools Required

Cutting board, Kitchen towels, Measuring cups and spoons, Microwave, Mixing bowls, Mixing spoon, Mortar and Pestle, Pastry brush, Peeler, Plastic food wrap, Potato Masher, Rolling Pin, Saute pan, Sharp Knives, Top Stove

Ingredients

4 russet potato medium, about 20-22 ounces total
2 cup whole wheat flour plus more for dusting and rolling
3/4 cup avocado oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

Scrub russet potatoes, then pat dry. Pierce each potato 5 times on each side with a fork, then microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, turning over halfway through, 15-20 minutes. (Alternatively, place potatoes in a large saucepan without pricking and pour in water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook until a fork easily pierces flesh, 20–25 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold running water, and let cool 10 minutes.)
Peel potatoes (it’s best to do this when they are cool enough to handle but still fairly hot). Transfer to a medium bowl and mash with a potato masher, fork, spoon, or your hands until mostly smooth. Measure out 3 cups and transfer to a small bowl. If you have any extra, save for filling samosas or pierogi.
Mix whole wheat flour, 1/2 teaspoon of the oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the Kosher salt, and 1 cup room-temperature water in a medium bowl to combine, then knead until dough is smooth and no dry bits remain. Wrap in plastic (a bowl with a tight-fitting lid will also work) and chill 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, finely crush fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle or crush on a cutting board with a heavy object (like a cast-iron skillet) to as close to a powder as you can get.
Using a fork, mix ground fennel, chili powder, chopped cilantro, and remaining Kosher salt into mashed potatoes in small bowl. Use fork to break up any lumps; your aim is to get potatoes really smooth. (the dough will be hard to roll if the potatoes aren’t smooth enough). Divide into 8 equal portions and roll into balls.
Divide dough into 8 equal portions and roll into balls. Dust work surface with flour and coat each dough ball in flour. Roll each ball into a 6" circle, dusting with more flour if needed.
Working one at a time, place a potato ball in the center of a dough circle and bring sides of dough up and over ball like you’re enclosing a parcel, gathering edges at the top. Pinch together to seal. (Make sure it’s sealed well, otherwise filling will spill out during the rolling process.) Turn ball sealed side down and roll out to an 8" circle.
To cook paratha, pour vegetable oil in a small bowl. Heat a medium skillet over medium. Brush a paratha with some of the oil and carefully place, oiled side down, in the pan. (The easiest way to move parathas to the pan is to drape over your palm; this will keep them from losing their shape.) Cook 2 minutes, brush top side with oil, and turn over. Continue process of brushing and turning until both sides are golden brown, 2 or 3 more times. Repeat with remaining paratha.

Reheating Instructions

Heat in a sauté pan over medium heat until heated through.

Nutrition