Guide to the perfect phulka rotis or puffed Indian bread


Guide to the perfect phulka rotis or puffed Indian bread

All you need is whole wheat flour, water, salt and edible oil to make fresh, smokey rotis



Step-by-step guide to making phulka roti or puffed Indian bread Video Credit:

Ingredients

  1. 500gm whole wheat flour
  2. 350ml water
  3. 50ml vegetable oil
  4. Salt to taste

Method

In a bowl, preferably a sturdy metal one, add whole wheat flour.

Step 1 - Making Phulka Roti or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian bread
Step-by-step guide to kneading dough Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Then begin adding water little by little to form small clusters and a pinch of salt.

Using whole-wheat flour
Step-by-step guide to kneading dough Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Keep adding water little by little till and mix until small clusters begin to form. Continue kneading.

Step-by-step guide to kneading
Kneading whole wheat flour dough Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Keep kneading the flour until it is pliable. Use your knuckles to knead. Stretch the dough, knead, fold it inwards and knead until the dough becomes smooth.

Kneading dough
Press the dough down to knead Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Once the dough is ready, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and knead it one one last time before setting it aside for 30 minutes. Cover the bowl with a wet muslin cloth or a lid. A wet muslin cloth will help the dough retain moisture.

Add some oil
Add some oil or ghee Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

After 30 minutes, remove the dough from the bowl to check consistency. It should look like a neat ball just as shown below in the picture. Not too spongy, nor too hard.

Step-6 Making phulka rotis or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian bread
Knead until a smooth dough is achieved - about 4 to 5 minutes Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Now, pinch off a small piece of dough, as shown below in the picture and roll it into a ball

Step-7 Making phulka roti or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian bread
Pinch off small balls of dough Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Sprinkle some flour onto the counter. Take the dough ball between your palms and press it so that it flattens a little. Now, place the ball of dough on the counter and with a rolling pin start rolling evenly. This is the toughest part and is learnt with practice. Tip: Use equal pressure on both sides of the rolling pin to get the roti moving as you roll.

Step-8 making phulka roti or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian bread
Roll out the flattened ball of dough to about 0.2cm thickness Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

On a pre-heated griddle, place the rolled roti on the tawa after dusting excess flour off it.

Step-9 Making whole-wheat flour or puffed Indian bread
Place the rolled out bread onto a hot griddle. Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

After 5 to 8 seconds, flip the roti. You will now see light brown spots on the side just turned.

Step-10 Making phulka roti or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian bread
As the flatbread starts to cook, the dough will rise in small parts. Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Then, on a direct flame with a hand-held grill, place the roti facing the side which was on the griddle. Carefully flip the roti. You can also use a pair of tongs, to turn it over.

Step 11 - Making phulka roti or whole-wheat flour Indian bread
Now pick that up carefully, flip and place it on an open flame and the bread will puff up. Ready to serve Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Next, carefully turn the roti. You can also use a pair of tongs, to turn it over.

Step 12 - Making phulka roti or whole-wheat flour puffed Indian Bread
A grill to place on an open flame is an extremely useful kitchen tool to have, although most Indian home cooks manage without it Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

The roti will now puff up and the light brown spots on the roti will turn slightly dark. Make sure you do not keep the roti on the open flame for any longer, you don't want to burn it.

Step 13 - Making phulka roti or whole-wheat puffed Indian bread
Brush the hot phulka with some butter or ghee for a truly satisfying meal Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

You can brush ghee or clarified butter for a rich flavour and serve hot.

Tell us about your favourite dishes or recipes at food@gulfnews.com

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