Taste & Create: Indian Potato-Stuffed Flatbreads
This month on Taste & Create I was paired up with Divya Vikram of the blog Dil Se. Though her baked bread recipes seriously tempted me, I thought I might be missing the whole experience if I didn’t trial an Indian recipe from her blog. I decided on the Aloo Paratha recipe, or personal-sized, Indian potato-stuffed flatbreads. Yes, it was still technically bread, but no oven required, bonus!
Though my ratios need to be perfected, this multi-step recipe was surprisingly simple, and it really flowed. I kneaded the no-yeast bread within a few minutes, set it aside to rest, made the potatoes (while the potatoes were boiling I put the soup on – see next paragraph), rolled the dough out, plopped in the potato, bundled them up, flattened, pan-fried, and viola! A nice, flavorful, whole-grain, and dare I say, adventurous vegetarian meal.
Okay, so mine aren’t quite perfection … yet. But that doesn’t take away from the taste. Though this flatbread making does take practice, you should have some tasty and doable results on the first try.
Divya says that this is an authentic North Indian breakfast, but we decided to have them for lunch, alongside the creamy Lightly Curried Cruciferous Soup from my book, Go Dairy Free. It seemed fitting since both recipes used garam masala, so I could just make one little batch of the quick garam masala spice mix from my book, and I was good to go! You can use a homemade version such as the one I used, or store-bought if you wish.
As she mentions, these flatbreads are definitely best hot, but I did read on another site that they freeze well and can be reheated later. They are certainly unique and full of good flavor. Enjoy!
Indian Potato-Stuffed Flatbreads (Aloo Paratha)
Recipe adapted from Dil Se ..
This recipe is Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, and relatively Low in Fat
- 1 Cup Warm Water, plus additional as needed
- 1 Tablespoon Oil (I used grapeseed), plus a little extra (or a little bit of dairy-free margarine) for pan-frying
- 3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour, plus additional as needed (use white-wheat or half wheat / half white for a lighter bread, if desired)
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt, divided, or to taste
- 1 1/4 lbs Potatoes (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2-inch chunks (your choice – I used baby russets, but white, red, or yukon gold will work – no need to peel in my opinion)
- 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
Place the warm water and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large bowl. Add in the flour and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and combine, kneading to bring the dough together into a ball. It should be just a little sticky but fairly firm; add more water or flour as needed. Lightly cover the bowl, and set the dough aside while you prepare the potatoes.
Boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drain well and mash them with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and garam masala. Taste test, and season to taste with additional salt and/or pepper as desired (Divya adds a little cilantro, but we are an anti-cilantro household).
Divide the dough into twelve equal portions, and one at a time, roll the dough out into a circle that is about 6 to 7 inches in diameter (use additional flour as needed to prevent sticking). Place a potato ball in the center, and bring up the dough to enclose the potato mixture, pinching the seams at the top to seel (almost like a “purse”). If the potato balls are too large, just take a bit out so that it fits – you may end up with some leftover potato mixture. Turn the ball seam-side down, and gently roll it out (some potato mixture may appear or escape, nothing tragic), until it is fairly thin – maybe 1/4-inch high. Repeat with remaining dough and potato mixture.
Heat a little oil (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) or dairy-free margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add a couple of the flatbreads and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it just begins to brown. Flip and cook for another minute or so. Remove to a plate, and repeat with remaining flatbreads, adding more oil to the pan if needed. Consume while hot!
Yields about 12 hearty flatbreads
13 thoughts on “Taste & Create: Indian Potato-Stuffed Flatbreads”
That’s terrific- and it is only your first job- I’m impressed!
For Indian breads, we tend to use whole wheat flour that is labeled as “atta” available where Indian groceries are sold. Atta is very finely ground and that makes it ideal for Indian-style flatbreads like this one.
“only your first job” I meant, your first attempt at making such a bread 🙂
You KNOW how much we love Indian food. Mmmm….
I love potato stuffed flat bread and always order it in Indian restaurants. I’ll definitely save this recipe to try. (I’ve been using white whole wheat and it seems to make a lighter bread without sacrificing any nutrition.)
They sound phenomenal. But anti-cilantro?? (Guess you’ll have to adapt my next few recipes. . . ). 😉
Hey, I am totally in awe seeing your post. These parathas need a lot of practice to make it perctly without the potato stuffing oozing out!! And you have made it perfectly. I remember the first time making this and it was a total disaster.Hats off!! Am still yet to post for the event!!
I really love parathas–although I confess to buying them rather than making them. These look incredible as does that soup.
I love flatbreads. They are one of my favorite kinds of breads to make. I love them with grilled kebabs.
Hi Alisa, I have tried two recipes of yours and posted them. Thanks for the recipes!
These look so delicious!
Wow these look amazing! I must try making them. Though I’m scared of the potato seeping out while I roll them.
I’ve never seen these potato stuffed flatbreads before, but they sound like they would be great.
I just made these for dinner tonight and they were fantastic! I found I had a lot of the potato mixture leftover, but that just means I can make more flatbreads tomorrow 🙂
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