Monday, August 23, 2010

Chapatis and Pooris: One Dough Two Breads - Blue Monday



Chapatis




Pooris


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...With our trip to India, Nepal and Tibet just weeks away, I thought I'd start to experiment with some of the more common foods of the region. I do this before all of our adventures begin and, more often than not, the first dish I attempt to make is the bread of the area. I adore bread and was delighted to find that the dough I worked with for this post actually makes two Indian classics. In India, a whole-wheat flour called atta is traditionally used make these breads. The flour can be hard to come by, but a reasonable facsimile of it can be made by combining three parts of whole-wheat flour with two part of white flour. The difference between chapatis and pooris lies in how they are cooked. Chapatis, which resemble tortillas, are a flatbread that is cooked on a griddle. Pooris are deep fried to produce hollow and delicious pillows that are perfect for scooping up food. Both breads are best eaten shortly after they are made, but the dough can be made up to a day before it is cooked, if it is refrigerated in an airtight container. Here's the recipe for these tasty and easy to make breads.

Chapatis and Pooris
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Nancie McDermott

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water

Directions for Chapatis:
1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook chapatis, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll. Flatten each piece into a disk and place on a floured board. Roll it into a thin disk that is 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
4) Using a medium frying pan set over medium-high heat, cook chapatis one at a time, turning after 1 minute and cooking second side for another 30 to 60 seconds. Press quickly and firmly at various spots on the surface to encourage it to puff.
5) Remove and set aside. Cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm. Continue with remainder of dough balls, stacking them together until ready to serve. Yield: 12 chapatis.

Directions for Pooris:

1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook pooris, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll out. Place a cookie sheet on work surface to hold pooris as they are rolled.
4) Flatten a ball into a thin disk. Place on a floured work surface and roll into a pancake 3-inches in diameter. It should be 1/4-inch thick. Place on cookie sheet and continue to roll remainder of dough.
5) In a medium frying pan set over medium heat, bring 2 cups vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Slide a pooris into oil. When it begins to puff, use a slotted spoon to press it into oil. Move spoon around the edges to help it puff. Turn it over when first side browns, about 15 to 30 seconds. Remove pooris from pan when second side is browned. Drain on paper towels. Continue with remainder of disks. Serve while hot. Yield: 16 small pooris.

You might also enjoy these recipes:

Puffy, Fluffy Spinach and Green Chilli Pooris - Ko Rasoi
Naan Indian Bread - Food Lovers
Bhatura - Tigers and Strawberries
Parantha: Onion Stuffed Indian Bread - Cook @ Ease
Garlic-Chard Roti - eCurry
Indian Dosas - One Perfect Bite

This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

70 comments :

Joanne said...

I love Indian breads. It's so funny how the same dough can give rise to two totally different things. They look great!

Rita said...

What a wonderful trip ahad for you. Love the idea os experimenting with recips befor you leave.
Looks perfect.
Rita

Katie@Cozydelicious said...

I've always been a bit afraid of making my own Indian breads, but you make it sound very doable... I might hav eto give it a shot! And I'm so jealous of your upcoming trip!

Sanjeeta kk said...

Good try Mary! You made the chapatis and pooris ;look gorgeous.

Unknown said...

How exciting regarding your upcoming travels! These breads look amazing. Don't you just love the simple things in life? Thanks for sharing the recipe Mary!

LV said...

It would not matter to me what you cooked or from what country, I would enjoy it. Nice that you can travel and share your love of cooking with s.

Diane said...

I love Indian breads but have never ben very good at making them. After seeing this I will give it another try. Diane

From the Kitchen said...

The Indian lady, Kuki, who taught classes for me when I was in the "business" made lovely breads. They are so easy and make quite a hit. Your trip sounds wonderful. Remember me to the Dalai Lama. We met him, years ago, when he was visiting I.U. and his brother in Bloomington.

Best,
Bonnie

StephenC said...

What fun! Do you think I could make chapatis with a mix of regular flour and chickpea flour? I have a bag of it and have made only a type of cakey flatbread with it.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have never heard of either of these, but they look wonderful. How do you eat the flatbread like one? Do you eat it like a roll, or use it as a wrap or maybe put something on it?

SmilingSally said...

Ooo, you're going to India. How exciting!

Happy Blue Monday, Mary!

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

I have never heard of either but I would love to try them based alone on your recipe and pictures :o)

Nina Timm said...

That is so exciting to get two recipes from one. I have not heard of a single person who has been to India and not enjoyed it!!! Travel safely!!

Soma said...

You have done a stupendous job Mary!! Not even many Indians get the poori puffed the way you did :-)

Have a great trip and hope you enjoy your trip.

Sushma Mallya said...

I love both these with spicy gravy...its come out perfect mary

pam said...

I love flatbreads! They are my favorites.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Good for you, experimenting with dishes before you go! I usually wait until after, and often I eventually forget what I've learned.

Judi said...

Happy BLUE MOnday!
I LOVE bread too and what a great idea to make some breads of the areas before you visit. The pictures look delish and maybe I'll just have to give them a try too.

I really enjoy some Indian foods...
have a wonderful trip. I am going to go back and read more about your blog...
Do come by and visit me when you have some time also.
Judi

Gloria Baker said...

What lovely and nice chepatis! look wonderful! xx gloria

Judi said...

I am a new follower now too!
Judi

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, I'm excited FOR you!! I've always wnted to visit India and Tibet- I look forward to your stories! The breads look fabulous
xoxo Pattie

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Beautiful breads!
I have just joined in on blue mondays... and have found a great new cooking blog.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh YUM!! Happy Blue Monday to you girl...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

The Diva on a Diet said...

I just love your adventurous spirit, Mary! And immersing yourself in the cuisine of your destination is such a wonderful way to preface a trip. Love it!

I also love chapatis. As always, you've given me courage to think outside the box and try this for myself. Thank you!

Have a beautiful day!

M @ Betty Crapper said...

How exciting to have such a wonderful trip to look forward to. It will be here before you know it.

Katerina said...

It is amazing how flat bread can be found in almost all countries and cultures. Bread is a basic nutritional food. I love these Indian flatbreads.

Julie said...

How interesting are these two breads. Amazing how two doughs can do different breads.

Monet said...

I just love it when I can find a dough recipe that can be adapted. I am a big fan of flatbreads right now, and I'm excited to add both of these to my list.

PeggyR said...

The bread looks yummy. I'm sure you are excited about your trip, I hope you have a lap top so that you can keep us posted while on your journey!

flying eagle woman said...

this post brought me wayyy back. i learned to make chapatis at a commune in the late 70's and carried it with me throughout...my favorite used to be chapatis with goat cheese and some sort of greens...I may even try the pooris
Happy Monday!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Beautiful breads and I want to try both! I am so excited for your trip!!!

Houdini said...

It's amazing what exotic breads you tackle and show us. Thinking of your forthcoming trip, some travel envy is building up around here, but my time will also come, still this year :-)

Namitha said...

Awesome job. They have come out perfect ! Wish you lots of fun in the coming trip :-)

nannykim said...

Poowee , I was hoping it was made with rice flour...ah well. It looks great too! Wow, looks like and exciting time is ahead of you!

Shy said...

The Pooris looks Good. You always have yummy food in your post for yourreaders. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Jessica said...

Love these breads! Thanks for sharing this easy recipe. I'll have a go at it and see if I can do as well as you! ;-D

jessyburke88@gmail.com

Adelina said...

Wow! You are a master, Mary! They look perfect- my puris never puff this evenly! And if you fold the chapati, then flatten, you get paratha, a slightly puffed chapati!! (like in the puff dough technique!. Is your trip to all those great places just leisure? So nice to be able to cover this much in 1 trip!

Suman Singh said...

WOW..they looks perfect..

I hope you enjoy your stay in india..have fun!

Federica Simoni said...

buonissimo questo pane!!!complimenti come sempre!ciao!

Annie said...

I love these breads they are so easy to make. I'm going to try them.
Have a nice day

Ana Powell said...

Lovely Indian breads, great work.
Wishing you a great week ♥

Claudia said...

Love how different one recipe can be. It's fascinating to see similar recipes pass from culture to culture. Baking bread is the best preparation for a trip! It puts you in the mood and starts bringing the travels to your home.

Deana Sidney said...

Great easy recipe to make one of my favorite breads... congrats on the award.. you do have such a lovely blog!
Have a great trip... how exotic it will be!

Jen_from_NJ said...

I love bread also. Two types of bread from one dough - fabulous! Baking bread is the perfect way to get in the mood for traveling! I am so excited for you!

Unknown said...

I do love bread of any kind!! I had pooris at restaurant here and was in love instantly! These sound really easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

Faith said...

One dough, two breads sounds great to me! Indian bread is incredible and I would love to try this, Mary!

scrambledhenfruit said...

This bread looks delicious both ways! Thanks!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I remember making pooris once and it was so fun to see them rising in the hot oil. Your bread duo is wonderful.

Bakericious said...

looks delicious, I love to eat with spicy curry, yum yum

Melinda said...

Sounds interesting.

Melinda

Jeannie said...

These chapatis and pooris are so easily available here that I have never thought of making them...my favourite is the chapati...I was told once by a friend that she has to get the chapati to be as round as possible or face the wrath of her in laws! I wondered if she's just pulling leg?

Little Inbox said...

Chapati is quite common here, but not the Pooris. Here, we usually eat it in Indian store rather than make it on our own.

MaryMoh said...

That's very interesting....one dough for 2...great! :D Looks like lots of fun to make. I have to try, They are very delicious with curry....my favourite combination. Hope you have a lovely day.

cocoa and coconut said...

I'd love this with my favourite curry...chicken korma!

Red Nomad OZ said...

These bring back happy memories of a childhood in Fiji - can't wait to see what inspiration your travels bring! Enjoy!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

What better way to start an armchair food journey. Can't wait to hear about the trip... the food, the sights, the sounds.

Cheah said...

What a coincidence! I posted a Chapati recipe too. Yours look great and so are the pooris. Was directed to your blog by Jeannie. Have a great day!

Lori said...

They are perfect looking! Ready for any curry that comes their way. Oh I can not wait to hear about your trip. I just know you will have some good stories to share.

Sutapa said...

Lovely delicious and perfect chapatis and pooris!

Thumbs up!

A gift for you in my blog make some time to visit!
Love Always.

Unknown said...

Your breads are making my mouth water! I love these two, puris are my favourite and I pride myself on making them, but O dear, 2 years may have passed since last time!
I am off to check out your older posts now, since I have been unable to check for a while. What pleasure! Cheers Mary!

My Little Space said...

Mary. both of your chapatis & pooris look beautifully done. Did you make the curry too? Yumm.... Your grandchildren going to help you to finish these! hehe... Have a wonderful day.
Cheers, kristy

George said...

Wow. These look wonderful.

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

i like to enjoy chapatis with chicken curry, simply yummy. Have a nice day.

Jennifer said...

Mary, both those breads look yummy, too complicated for me tho :) I hope you love your trip maybe you can pack me in your bag

Lyndas recipe box said...

Your upcoming trip sounds incredible Mary! And the bread looks delicious too. I'm also a bread person, when it comes to the homemade stuff.

Eliana said...

Love Indian breads Mary - and these look amazing!

Kim @ Two Good Cookies said...

I have always wanted to learn how to make more Indian-style breads. Thank you so much for these...it makes it seem far less intimidating!

Chele said...

Oh lucky you to have such a wonderful trip planned. Fantastic food to start you off on the right foot.

Historical sites with charmine said...

WOW! You are going to enjoy the food in India.Atta is very common here and is made of whole wheat flour.It's nice that you are open to trying new dishes,these have turned out well,we too make them at home.

Try these dishes in India,butter chicken,tandoori chicken,mutton biryani(Andra style)paneer butter masala,fried fish,crab curry...oh well, I think you'll love the food here.Try momos too,these are steamed dumplings with chicken filling.
These breads(chapatti,poori) can be eaten with curried vegetables,curry, or cottage cheese(paneer)



Go to Goa if you can the food there is great,or you could taste Goan food in Delhi in some 3*,5* hotels-not expensive.

I'm going on my holiday too in a few weeks,have fun.

Tracy said...

Sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you! I'm envious! Your bread looks great.

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