Ghee Paratha: Simply Irresistible
Ghee paratha is an Indian food item with an incredible taste. Nothing can compare to the deliciousness of the plain paratha cooked in ghee and served hot.
History: An age-old delight
Paratha is an unleavened flatbread with a history that dates back to the ancient Vedic times. This flatbread originated in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The term paratha is an amalgamation of two words: parat and atta, which means layers of cooked dough.
The plain paratha has undergone many transformations over the ages. Stuffed parathas evolved from simple parathas. Various recipes of stuffed parathas can be found in Manasollasa, a Sanskrit encyclopedia written in the 12th century.
Interestingly, even though the stuffed parathas gained popularity among the people, the love for the plain paratha did not diminish. Even today, this simple delight is savored by the people in India and several parts of South Asia.
Health Benefits: Indulgence with care
Ghee paratha is a wonderful item that combines the goodness of ghee and wheat. A few health benefits of consuming ghee parathas are:
- Ghee enhances physical and mental strength, which in turn makes ghee parathas a healthy delicacy to relish.
- Ghee parathas can be easily digested as pure ghee contains less amount of fat.
- Consumption of ghee paratha can boost the resistance power of the body since ghee contains fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K, and antioxidants.
- Ghee parathas help in improving body metabolism as wheat is very effective for metabolic disorders
Ingredients and Preparation: Recipe of a yummy fare
Ghee parathas can be relished with a dollop of butter spread on top and in combination with side dishes like pickles, curd, vegetable curries, or raita. Here is a simple recipe to prepare ghee paratha.
Preparation Time: 30 min
Cooking Time: 20 min
Serves: 8 persons
Ingredients
- Whole grain wheat flour: 2 cups
- All-purpose flour: 1/2 cup
- Ghee: 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
- Water: 2/3 cup
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Directions
- Take a bowl and combine wheat flour and salt in it.
- Add 2 tablespoon of ghee to the wheat and mix with fingers till a sandy texture is reached
- Slowly add water and knead the mixture into a soft dough. If needed, add a few extra tablespoons of water. Continue kneading for 2 minutes.
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel. Keep aside for 15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a thick disc.
- Take one disc and dust it with flour.
- Roll it out into a 4-inch circle.
- Smear the surface with 1/4 teaspoon of ghee and sprinkle a pinch of flour on the ghee.
- Fold the circle into quarters and then make it a disc once more.
- Dust the disc with flour and roll out a 6-inch circle.
- Heat a skillet on medium flame and put the paratha on it.
- Wait till bubbles appear on the paratha’s surface and then flip it.
- Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of ghee on the side facing up and spread the ghee using a spatula.
- Flip when bubbles again appear on the surface.
- Flip again and press it lightly using the spatula to make it puff up.
- Repeat for the other side.
- Serve hot or keep covered with a soft cloth until ready to serve.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls.
Nutrition Info: Eat healthy, live healthy
Each serving contains:
- Calories: 214
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Carbohydrate: 31 g
- Fat: 4 g (Trans fat 0 g)
- Protein: 7 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
Go ahead and give this recipe a try. You will not be disappointed for sure!
