MINT PARATHA - PUDINA LACHCHA PARATHA

    Mint is my favourite herb. The flavour of fresh Mint is something I love the most. May be as Chutneys or Raithas when added into Curries or Biriyanis & Pulaos as a garnish, or in Parathas, the refreshing aroma of the herb makes the dish welcoming.

 

    'Pudina Paratha/Mint Paratha' is a unique tasting Paratha prepared with Mint Leaves/Pudina & Wheat Flour. Mint Paratha is a delicacy by itself and is known for its simplicity & flavour. But This Pudina Paratha is layered like the 'Lachcha Paratha'. They are crisp as well as flaky, and when served hot, it is an utter treat. This Pudina/Mint Paratha has a balanced flavour from Mint leaves along with its refreshing aroma and the taste & flavour of other mild spices added into it.

      

    Stuffed Indian Bread/Parathas are Rotis prepared with immediately available ingredients in an Indian Kitchen. North Indian Cuisine has a wide range of variable recipes with a variety of stuffed Parathas. Parathas are cooked with Whole wheat flour(Gehun ka Aatta) & we can get wild with the choice of stuffings, Aloo Paratha with Potatoes Stuffed in it, or Methi (Fenugreek Leaves) Paratha/Thepla, Mint Paratha, Onion/Spring Onion Paratha, Gobi(Cauliflower) Paratha, Mooli(Radish) Paratha, Dhal Paratha, Paneer Paratha, Lachcha Paratha etc., & etc.,

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     Mint/Pudina Paratha is prepared, with whole wheat flour, and finely chopped Mint Leaves seasoned to taste. Add little water at a time while kneading the dough. Otherwise, the dough would be difficult to handle. I have used Fresh Mint Leaves in this recipe, but you can also make it with dried Mint Leaves. Some recipes even call for layering the spices into the folds while rolling out the dough. But I have added all the spices while kneading the dough, making the process easier.

    Parathas are usually cooked, over the griddle with a hearty drizzle of oil/ghee. The smell of Mint Leaves and Ghee wafts out a pleasant aroma while cooking this Pudina Paratha, and it comes out with a crispy layered texture. If you are in short of time,  roll it out like Chapati or shape it out into a square or a triangle. This Paratha can be eaten with Raitha, Curd or Pickle or serve it along with your choice of Vegetarian/Non-vegetarian Side Dishes.

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Cuisine - North Indian
Course - Main Course
Difficulty - Medium
Spice Level - Low- Medium
Yields - 12 - 15 Parathas
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 10-15 Minutes
Leavening Time - 5-8 Minutes
Cooking Time - 25 - 30 Minutes

 

To Read about the HEALTH BENEFITS OF MINT LEAVES, Click here...

HOW TO MAKE MINT PARATHA - PUDINA LACHCHA PARATHA

MINT PARATHA - PUDINA LACHCHA PARATHA

INGREDIENTS:

For the Dough:

Whole Wheat Flour - 2 Cups
Mint Leaves - 1 Cup.
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 11/2 Tspn.
Cumin Powder - 1/8 Tspn
Chaat Masala - 1/2 Tspn
Dries Mango Powder/Aamchur - 1/2 Tspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - 1 Tspn (Optional)
Oil - 3 Tspns(for Dough)
Water - as Required

To Cook:

Ghee/Oil - 4-5 Tspns (To Drizzle)

 

METHOD:

 

• Clean, wash and finely chop the Mint Leaves.
• Mix all the ingredients mentioned under 'For the dough', adding a little water and knead it into a pliable dough.
• Finally, add oil and knead it again for about 7-8 minutes.
• Cover and leave it aside for 5-8 minutes.
• Before rolling them, knead it again.
• Divide the dough into 12-15 medium-sized balls.
• Then roll them out into thin circles of about 9 to 10 inches.
• Brush some oil all over the Paratha and sprinkle some flour evenly on top of it.
• Gently fold the rolled out Paratha and make small folds from one end.
• Fold & pleat until the other end, and then roll it tightly into a circle.
• Press the loose end to the centre.
• Follow suit with the rest of the dough and keep them aside.
• Prepare the pleated rolls our of the dough and keep them aside covered to rest for about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Now take one pleated ball and dust some flour on both sides.
• Roll it out into a circle of about 5 to 6 inches. 
• Heat a griddle(Tawa) and cook each Pudina Paratha on a medium flame.
• When Paratha starts to puff up at some places, drizzle oil or ghee on this side.
• Flip, drizzle a bit of oil/ghee and cook on the other side.
• Flip the Parathas & press the edges with a spatula, a couple of times so that you get it cooked evenly with a crispy outer layer.
• Once done, remove the Pudina Parathas from the Tawa and place them on a serving plate.
• Gently crush the Paratha between your palms with quick movements, as you do for Malabar paratha.
• Care should be taken while doing this, proceed with this step only when it is warm enough to handle.
• The idea is to separate the layers & to give a flaky texture.
• Serve Pudina Lachcha Parathas hot with a bowl of Curd(yoghurt), Raitha or Pickle.

   

MINT PARATHA - PUDINA LACHCHA PARATHA

 

 

NOTES:

 

• Can also add along with Coriander Leaves/ Spring Onions along with Mint Leaves.
• But for the unique taste of Mint, use just the Mint Leaves in the Paratha.
• You can add Garam Masala while kneading the dough.
• Add very little water as required while kneading the dough.
• Can also smear a blob of butter over hot Pudina Lachcha Parathas just before serving.