Whole Wheat and Corn Paratha


Visit the Indian Food Glossary for information on the ingredients in this recipe
whole wheat corn paratha

Indian meals are always a special treat when served with homemade flat breads. One of my favorites are flaky and substantial parathas, a griddle-fried bread often made with whole wheat flour and folded over a few times during the kneading and rolling process to create a layered bread that puffs during frying. They tend to be somewhat rich, especially if you use ghee or butter, as they are brushed several times during rolling and drizzled with butter or oil while cooking. Sometimes they are stuffed with vegetables and chutneys. Whether stuffed or more basic, they are always delicious as a snack or meal accompaniment.

Indian corn and whole wheat paratha

Whole Wheat and Corn ParathaWhole Wheat and Corn Paratha
Recipe by
Cuisine: Indian
Published on October 22, 2014

Delicious flaky Indian flat breads made with corn and whole wheat flour and seasoned with cumin, ajwain and chilies

Preparation: 35 minutes
Cooking time: 50 to 60 minutes

Print this recipePrint this recipe

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup corn flour
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 to 3 fresh green chilies, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ajwain seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 3/4 to 1 cup warm water
  • flour for dusting
  • 1/2 cup melted ghee, butter or oil
Instructions:
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, salt, sugar, chilies and ajwain and cumin seeds. Drizzle in the sesame oil and, using your hands, rub it into the dry ingredients until well blended. Gradually add the water until the everything comes together to form a fairly stiff dough. Knead in the bowl for about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a smooth ball, brush with a bit of oil, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and leave to rest for a few hours.

  • Knead the dough a few times and divide into 10 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and transfer to a plate. Cover with a damp kitchen towel so they don't dry out.

  • Flatten a ball of dough into a roughly 2-inch round patty, sprinkle with a bit of flour, and then transfer to a lightly floured board. Roll the dough out into a roughly 5 to 6 inch round, dusting with more flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking.

  • Brush the round with some melted ghee, butter or oil, and then fold in half. Brush the half with a bit more ghee, butter or oil, and then fold into a quarter-circle. Dust with a bit of flour and roll out into a rough 5 to 6 inch triangular shape. Repeat with the rest of the breads, separating each paratha between sheets of parchment or waxed paper.

  • Brush a skillet with a small amount of ghee, butter or oil, and heat over medium heat. When hot, transfer one of the breads to the pan. Fry for about a minute, and then drizzle the edges and top with a bit of ghee, butter or oil. Let cook for another few minutes, until golden brown. Flip the bread, drizzle a bit more ghee, butter or oil around the sides of the bread, and cook for another few minutes, until golden and puffy in spots. Transfer to a plate lined with foil, or a basket lined with clean kitchen towels, and cover. Repeat with the remaining parathas.

Note: The dough will keep well for up to 24 hours before baking. Cover the kneaded dough in the bowl with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use, taking it out an hour or two before frying.

Makes 9 to 11 flat breads

paratha

Other savory Indian breads to try:
Chickpea Flour (Besan) Crêpes with Spinach
Parathas Stuffed with Sweet Potato and Potato
Mung Dal Chila Paneer Wraps
Fenugreek Chapatis

3 comments:

Joanne said...

I've never made parathas, but I love eating them when my coworkers bring them in. This corn-stuffed version sounds awesome!

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

These look great Lisa.

We don't eat Indian, apart from dal very often as Graham never seems to be in the mood for it and Cooper isn't keen.

I shall try it with dal, everyone loves that.

I need to come live with you so I can enjoy lots of curries without my fussy boys.

Lisa Turner said...

I wish you did live close by. We could enjoy each others cooking.