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KULCHA

by - July 20, 2016


SM
KULCHA
     Kulcha is a popular Indian flat bread specifically from North India, It's a typical Punjabi recipe. The whole credit for this Indian bread goes to the city of Amritsar, where Amritsari kulchas and Naans are famous for.   It is famous in Pakistan and Kashmir too. Also, it is the most sought Indian bread next to Naan.
     These soft textured & fluffy Kulchas are very easy to prepare.  Kulchas can be made in the Tandoor or on a griddle. It can also be baked in an Electric Oven.  Kulcha is quite similar to Naan, but from what I know, the difference between the both is that yeast is not used in Kulchas, unlike Naan. Curd, Soda-bi-carbonate and Baking powder does the leavening job for Kulchas.  It is usually served with Amritsari Chole.
     Traditionally, Kulchas are cooked in a Tandoor.  They give the perfect texture and flavour to the bread.  But these Kulchas can also be cooked on a griddle as we do for Chapatis or can be cooked on direct flame, or they can even be baked in an Oven.  I have given all the three methods here.


Cuisine : North Indian (Punjabi & Kashmiri); Pakistan
Course : Main Course
Difficulty : Medium
Serves : 4
Yields : 12 Kulchas
Author : SM

Preparation Time : 15–20 Minutes
Leavening Time : 3–4 Hours
Cooking Time : 20 - 30 Minutes

SM
KULCHA

INGREDIENTS:

All Purpose Flour/Maida  -  3 Cups
Milk/ Water -  1 Cup
Curd  -  2 Tablespoons
Baking Powder  -  1 Teaspoon
Cooking Soda / Sodium-bi-carbonate  -  1/2 Teaspoon
Sugar  -  3 Teaspoon
Salt -  To Taste
Oil  -  3 - 4 Tablespoons

For Garnishing:

Kalonji - 2–3 Teaspoons (Optional)
Butter - 3 Teaspoons
Coriander leaves / Scallions /Kasoori Methi -  a Few

Method:

  • Sieve All Purpose flour along with salt, Baking Powder and Cooking Soda once.
  • Add Sugar to the flour and mix well.
  • Make a well in the centre and pour the curd into it.
  • Knead it into a pliable dough using enough milk.
  • Finally, add oil and knead again for about 7–8 minutes.
  • Cover it with a wet cloth and leave it aside for 3–4 hours.
  • Before rolling them, knead it again.
  • Divide the dough into 10-12 medium-sized balls.
  • Then roll them out into the desired shape.

Cooking them on a Griddle: 

* On Direct Flame:

  • Heat the griddle.
  • Roll Kulchas into an oval shape or cut them into two/four from a circle or into any desired shape.
  • Smear oil/butter over one side of kulcha and roll it once again. 
  • Brush a little bit of water over one side of the kulcha and press them to the griddle.
  • Invert the griddle and cook one side of kulcha over a direct flame to give it a tandoor like texture and flavour. 
  • Flip it and then brush water over the other side of Kulcha and spread the garnish over it.
  • Then cook the other side of the Kulcha.
  • Follow the suit for the rest of the Kulchas.

* Over a Griddle: 

  • Heat the griddle.
  • Roll Kulchas into an oval shape or cut them into two/four from a circle or into any desired shape.
  • Smear oil/butter over one side of kulcha and roll it once again. 
  • Brush a little bit of water over one side of the Kulchas and sprinkle the garnishes over it.
  • Placed the rolled Kulcha over the griddle.  Let the flame be at the high.
  • Wait until the bubbles start to form over the Kulcha.
  • Now lower the flame, flip and cook the other side of Kulcha. (the side with garnish) for few minutes. 
  • Follow the suit for the rest of the Kulchas.

Baking them in Oven:

  • Preheat the oven to 180 Degree Celsius.
  • Place the rolled kulchas on the baking tray. 
  • Bake them in the preheated oven for about 4–5 minutes. 
  • Flip them and bake them again for about 3–5 minutes. 
  • Remove them from oven and then brush butter over it.

NOTES:

  • Sifting the dry ingredients once makes the flour lighter and combines all ingredients evenly.
  • This also makes a soft, pliable dough.
  • Can use water or milk to knead the dough.
  • Using the ingredients mentioned under 'For Garnishing' is totally optional.
  • Iron griddles work best to make this kulchas. 
  • Smear some fresh butter over hot Kulchas before serving. 






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