By Nandini Bhushan*
Much like the Indian culture, the cuisine of India is blessed with an immense range of traditional as well as regional food. Depending upon the availability of local vegetables, fruits, Spices and herbs along with the climatic factor, Indian food varies in choices. Each state is influenced with these choices making them unique and distinctive from one another.
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Puran poli
Puran poli is a sweet flatbread and a very popular Maharashtrian festive recipe made during special occasions like Gudi Parwa, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi and Diwali. Puran means stuffing while poli is roti or the outer covering in the Marathi dialect. A time consuming dish but of course with an amazing end result enjoyed best with desi ghee or even plain milk or a savoury curry called katachi amti.
Ingredients
Chana dal : 200 gm
Jaggery : 200 gmm
Cardamom powder : 1 tsp
Wheat flour : 300 gms
Ghee : 4 tsp
Step 1
Soak the chana dal for at least a couple of hours.
Step 2
Boil the dal with two cups of water for one whistle and fifteen minutes on medium low flame. Once the pressure is released, strain the dal.
Step 3
Heat a tsp of oil in a pan and add the cooked and mashed chana dal along with grated jaggery and stir it until the puran mixture becomes dry. Once done sprinkle the cardamom powder and let it cool down.
Step 4
Meanwhile knead a soft and smooth dough with wheat flour, a tsp of ghee and water. Apply oil on the top and cover and keep it aside for about fifteen minutes.
Step 5
Take a medium sized ball from the dough and slightly flatten it. Shape it like a cup with your thumb and finger and place the stuffing in the centre. Now bring the edges together and seal them.
Step 6
Flatten to make a small puri and gently roll it into thin poli.
Step 7
Brush the tawa with ghee and place the puran poli on it. Once the side is golden brown turn over and apply ghee on the other side too and make the rest in the same way. Serve it with ghee, milk or katachi amti.
*Nandini Bhushan is a well-known food blogger
