Lachcha paratha/flaky paratha

My husband is a huge fan of parathas - especially on those days he comes home from work and doesn't feel like eating rice.

I have always pondered on the art of paratha making, but it was only after my visit to Bangladesh in January this year, that made me really want to learn to how to make it. In the restaurants in Bangladesh, nasta (breakfast) for us was mainly parathas with a simple mixed vegetable baazi. Simple fare but so, so tasty.

Here is the recipe i use to make my lachcha paratha, which is a many layered, flaky paratha. It's a difficult recipe, but i get a sense of accomplishment and pride when i make these.

I make my parathas using plain flour/maida, but you can use wholewheat flour/atta to make them. Just leave out the baking powder when using the atta.

You need:
2 cups plain flour/maida, plus extra for dusting
2 tbsp oil, plus more for layers and cooking
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3/4 cup warm water

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except the water. Slowly add the water and mix till you get a sticky dough. Knead into a dough ball, pour a little oil over it, and cover with damp cloth for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, the dough should no longer be sticky. Knead a little, then seperate into 6 equal sized balls. Lightly cover with oil, then replace damp cloth.

After 5 minutes, remove one of the dough balls. Roll in your palms and dust with flour. Roll out until you get a very thin paratha. With a pastry brush, apply oil and dust flour all over.

Roll opposite sides of paratha tightly until they meet in the middle. Roll the paratha into a snail like coil keeping the two sides together. Turn the paratha flat into your hands and squash down. Dust in flour again and roll out very thinly.

Using a tawa or non stick pan, heat on a low flame, then spread some oil. Put the paratha on and allow to warm through. When bubbles form on the surface, put some oil on top of the paratha and flip over. Allow to cook through, then remove.

Repeat this with all your dough balls.

And there you have homemade flaky paratha. My son loves it on its own with some butter on it, or it's delicious with curry. Any way you eat it, just give it a go.

Hope you enjoy!!

Yaz ♥