A legendary layered flatbread from Mughlai cuisine, Bakarkhani boasts a unique biscuit-like texture that is both flaky and slightly chewy. Delicately sweet and rich with ghee, it's the perfect royal accompaniment to hearty curries like Nihari or Korma.
A show-stopping Mughlai delicacy! Hard-boiled eggs are wrapped in spiced minced mutton, fried to a golden brown, and then simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato-onion gravy. Perfect for special occasions.
Flaky Bakarkhani with aromatic, melt-in-mouth Nargisi Kofta Curry. A protein-packed delight!
This awadhi dish is perfect for breakfast. With 1304.65 calories and 44.45g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
22gfat
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the maida, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cardamom powder.
Add 2 tablespoons of the melted ghee to the flour mixture. Rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Gradually pour in the warm milk while mixing to form a soft, pliable dough. Transfer to a clean surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest in a warm place for at least 30 minutes.
2
Laminate the Dough for Flaky Layers
Divide the rested dough into 6 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, take one ball and roll it out as thinly as possible into a large circle, about 8-9 inches in diameter.
Generously brush the entire surface of the circle with melted ghee. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of suji evenly over the ghee.
Fold the circle in half to create a semi-circle. Fold it in half again to form a triangle.
Starting from the wide base of the triangle, roll it up tightly towards the point, creating a small, coiled log.
Gently press the log down from the top with your palm to form a round, layered patty with a visible spiral.
Repeat this lamination process for all the dough balls. Cover the patties and let them rest for another 10-15 minutes.
3
Shape and Top the Bakarkhani
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Take one rested patty and gently roll it into a disc about 5 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick. Avoid pressing too hard to preserve the delicate layers.
Place the shaped discs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
Using a fork, prick the entire surface of each bakarkhani. This is crucial to prevent them from puffing up like a naan and helps achieve the dense, biscuit-like texture.
Brush the tops with the 2 tablespoons of milk and sprinkle generously with poppy seeds.
4
Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are a deep golden brown and the base sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove from the oven and immediately brush the hot bakarkhanis with the remaining melted ghee.
Serve warm with your favorite rich curry or stew.
Servings
4
Serving size: 1 serving(1 kofta with approximately 1 cup of gravy)
837cal
36gprotein
26gcarbs
67gfat
Ingredients
500 g Mutton Keema (Finely minced and preferably with some fat)
5 pcs Eggs (4 for boiling, 1 for binding the mince)
3 large Onion (1 finely chopped for kofta, 2 pureed for gravy)
3 medium Tomato (Pureed for gravy)
2 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste (1 tbsp for kofta, 1 tbsp for gravy)
3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Finely chopped, divided for kofta and garnish)
2 tsp Garam Masala (1 tsp for kofta, 1 tsp for gravy)
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder (For the kofta mixture)
0.75 tsp Turmeric Powder (0.25 tsp for kofta, 0.5 tsp for gravy)
2.25 tsp Salt (1 tsp for kofta, 1.25 tsp for gravy, or to taste)
2 cup Vegetable Oil (For deep frying the koftas)
3 tbsp Ghee (For making the gravy)
1 pc Bay Leaf
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
3 pcs Green Cardamom (Slightly crushed)
4 pcs Cloves
12 pcs Cashew Nuts (Soaked in warm water for 15 mins, then ground to a fine paste)
0.5 cup Curd (Full-fat, whisked until smooth)
2 tsp Coriander Powder
1.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder (For color and mild heat)
1 tbsp Kasuri Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves)
1.5 cup Water (Warm)
2 tbsp Fresh Cream (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare Eggs and Kofta Mixture
Place 4 eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 10 minutes. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to cool, then peel carefully and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mutton keema, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves.
Add the roasted besan, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 0.25 tsp turmeric powder, and 1 tsp salt.
Crack the remaining raw egg into the bowl. Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is sticky and well-combined. This helps in binding.
2
Form and Fry the Koftas
Divide the mince mixture into 4 equal portions. Lightly grease your palms with oil.
Take one portion and flatten it into a disc on your palm. Place a peeled hard-boiled egg in the center.
Carefully and gently enclose the egg with the mince, ensuring an even layer all around. Seal any cracks and smooth the surface to form a large, oval kofta.
Repeat for the remaining eggs and mince.
Heat 2 cups of oil in a deep kadai or pan over medium heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking (around 170°C / 340°F).
Gently slide the koftas into the hot oil, one by one. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
Fry for 10-12 minutes, turning them gently and occasionally, until they are a deep golden brown on all sides and the mutton is cooked through.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
3
Create the Gravy Base
In a separate heavy-bottomed pan, heat 3 tbsp of ghee over medium heat.
Add the whole spices: bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms, and cloves. Sauté for about 30-45 seconds until they release their aroma.
Add the puréed onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until it turns light golden brown and the moisture evaporates.
Add the remaining 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until the raw smell is gone.
4
Develop the Masala
Stir in the tomato purée. Cook for 7-8 minutes, until the mixture thickens and you see ghee separating from the sides of the masala.
Add the powdered spices: coriander powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, and 0.5 tsp turmeric powder. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Add the whisked curd, a tablespoon at a time, stirring continuously and vigorously to prevent it from splitting. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the curd is well incorporated.
Add the cashew paste and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens and becomes glossy.
5
Simmer and Finish the Curry
Pour in 1.5 cups of warm water and add 1.25 tsp of salt. Stir well and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
Crush the kasuri methi between your palms and add it to the gravy, along with the remaining 1 tsp of garam masala. Mix gently.
Carefully place the fried koftas into the simmering gravy. Spoon some gravy over them.
Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes. This allows the koftas to absorb the flavors of the gravy. Avoid stirring too much to prevent the koftas from breaking.
Turn off the heat. Drizzle with fresh cream and garnish with the remaining 1 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves. Let the curry rest for 10 minutes before serving.