Besan Bhindi, Jowar Roti and Lehsun Chutney

Ingredients

• 2 cup jowar atta
• 1.5 cup hot water (for kneading, adjust as needed)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp ghee (for brushing, optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mix the jowar atta and salt. Boil the water and gradually add it to the flour, mixing with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Once it's cool enough to handle, knead for 5-7 minutes into a smooth, soft, and pliable dough. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   After resting, knead the dough again for a minute. Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls. Take one ball, flatten it slightly, and dust it generously with dry jowar atta.

3. 3

   Place the dusted ball on a clean, flat surface. Using your palm and fingers, gently pat and press the dough, rotating it simultaneously to form a thin, round roti about 5-6 inches in diameter. You can also use a rolling pin very gently, but traditional bhakri is hand-patted for better texture.

4. 4

   Heat a cast-iron tawa or flat pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully lift the roti and place it on the tawa. Cook for about 45-60 seconds until you see small bubbles. Flip the roti and apply a thin layer of water on this top surface. Allow the second side to cook for 1-2 minutes until light brown spots appear.

5. 5

   Flip the roti one last time and press gently with a folded kitchen towel or a flat spatula to encourage it to puff up. For a fully puffed roti, you can carefully place it directly on a gas flame for a few seconds using tongs until it balloons. Remove from heat, brush with ghee if desired, and serve immediately. Repeat for the remaining dough balls.

Ingredients

• 15 Kashmiri Red Chilies (For vibrant color and mild heat)
• 5 Guntur Red Chilies (For heat, adjust quantity to your preference)
• 1 cup Garlic Cloves (Peeled)
• 3 tbsp Mustard Oil (For authentic flavor and preservation)
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 0.25 cup Water (As needed for grinding)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Chilies

   • Remove the stems from both Kashmiri and Guntur red chilies.
   • Place them in a medium bowl and cover completely with hot water.
   • Let the chilies soak for at least 30 minutes to soften. This makes them easier to grind into a smooth paste.
2. 2

   Grind the Chutney Paste

   • Drain the soaked chilies, reserving the soaking water.
   • In a grinder or blender jar, combine the soaked chilies, peeled garlic cloves, and cumin seeds.
   • Add 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved chili water and grind into a thick, smooth paste. Scrape down the sides of the jar as needed and add more water, one tablespoon at a time, only if necessary to facilitate grinding.
3. 3

   Cook the Chutney

   • Heat the mustard oil in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. This process tempers the oil and reduces its pungency.
   • Reduce the heat to low and let the oil cool for 30 seconds. Carefully add the ground garlic-chili paste to the pan. It will splutter, so stand back.
   • Stirring continuously, cook the paste on low heat for 7-10 minutes. This step is crucial to cook the raw garlic and enhance the flavor.
   • Continue cooking until the paste darkens to a deep red color and you see the oil starting to separate from the sides of the mixture.
4. 4

   Finish and Store

   • Turn off the heat. Stir in the salt and fresh lemon juice until well combined.
   • Allow the chutney to cool down completely to room temperature.
   • Once cooled, transfer the Lehsun Chutney to a clean, dry, and sterilized airtight glass jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.