Lacha Paratha (flat layered bread)

It would be unfair to hypothesize that Pakistanis are not addicted to paratha, a flaky bread, mostly all enjoy it as first food in morning, prepared on a pan which has a levelled surface.

To me; the compelling fact about paratha is; it can be paired with any left over food resting in our fridge, likewise freshly make edibles too such as fried egg, omelette, Aalo ka salan etc does the job equally good.

Paratha(a layered-bread) is a healthy and perfect combo with tea convincingly, when nothing available to go alongside it.

In our traditional households it plays a life saver role; where mommies have to deal the picky eaters; the paratha comes to rescue the attitudes.

However, it has taken an extra effort since its worth it so never mind by moms to roll their sleeves up for the flaky-layered saver.

Paratha is mainly made of dough, and it does goes takes a particular effort of kneading mixture of flour and scoop out the dough in hand, with the rolling of dough balls(scoops) flatten into the shape of the paratha and thrown over the pan and flipping both ways so it can cooked fully.

Since there are multiple ways followed, I am going to choose the way my kids likes.


Coming over to the procedure, see the ingredients first:

Ingredients:
2 cups white flour
1 tbsp ghee(oil)
1 tsp salt
Water ( normally for 2 cups flour, 1 cup water is good for the job)

Kneading time:
Newbie 7 minutes
Expert 3 minutes

Give rest to the dough for 10 minutes at the minimum.

Steps:
Make balls with little oil scrubbed on hands.
Roll each into flat bread back to back.
Spread a teaspoon of ghee and grease it evenly on flat rolled dough.
Cut into long strips, straight taken from top, parallel to each, number of cuts depends on the layers you would like to add.
Collect the flat paratha slowly making one long bunch of layers, twist the layers into a fine round ball.
Stretch the ball using your fingers on a round plate, touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.

Cooking:
Pre heat the pan(Tawa).
Peel the paratha off carefully from the plate and throw on the pan, flip over once it looks turnable, pour oil on the paratha, flip over again, take the paratha off and serve it hot on a platter with the paper towel placed on.

JzkA