A soft, fluffy leavened flatbread from Punjab, traditionally cooked in a tandoor but easily made on a stovetop tawa. Perfect for scooping up rich curries like chole or dal makhani.
A traditional Kashmiri pink tea with a distinct savory flavor. This unique brew gets its beautiful rosy hue from a special reaction with baking soda, making it a comforting and visually stunning beverage.
Warm Kashmiri Kulcha with aromatic Noon Chai - a soul-satisfying, energy-giving breakfast, mom's recipe style.
This kashmiri dish is perfect for breakfast. With 496.42 calories and 12.99g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
(finely chopped, for topping)
3 tbsp Butter (melted, for brushing)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the maida, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine them evenly.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the whisked curd and 2 tbsp of oil.
Using your fingertips, mix the wet ingredients into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Gradually add warm water, a little at a time, and knead for 8-10 minutes to form a very soft, smooth, and pliable dough. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Grease the dough with a little oil, cover the bowl with a damp cloth or a lid.
2
Rest the Dough
Place the covered bowl in a warm, draft-free spot for at least 2 hours.
The dough will rise and become light and airy due to the leavening agents.
3
Shape the Kulchas
After 2 hours, gently punch down the risen dough and knead it for another minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each portion into a smooth ball.
Take one dough ball, dust it lightly with dry flour, and roll it into a round or oval shape about 5-6 inches in diameter. Keep it slightly thicker than a chapati.
Sprinkle some kalonji seeds and chopped coriander leaves over the rolled kulcha. Gently press them into the dough with your palm or a rolling pin so they adhere well.
4
Cook the Kulchas
Heat a cast-iron tawa or a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
Take the shaped kulcha and flip it over (topping-side down). Apply a thin layer of water to the plain surface.
Carefully place the kulcha, water-side down, onto the hot tawa. The water helps it stick to the surface.
Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until you see bubbles forming on the top surface.
Using tongs, flip the kulcha and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden-brown spots appear. Press gently with a spatula for even cooking.
For a charred, tandoori-like effect, you can carefully lift the kulcha with tongs and cook it directly over an open flame for 10-15 seconds, turning continuously until you see light char marks. Use caution during this step.
5
Serve
Remove the cooked kulcha from the tawa and immediately brush it generously with melted butter.
Serve hot with your favorite curry, such as Chole Masala or Dal Makhani.
106cal
5gprotein
8gcarbs
6gfat
Ingredients
2 tbsp Kashmiri Green Tea Leaves
4 cup Water (for brewing)
0.25 tsp Baking Soda (a small pinch)
4 pods Green Cardamom (lightly crushed)
1 piece Star Anise
1 cup Cold Water (for shocking the tea)
2 cup Milk (full-fat recommended)
0.5 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp Pistachios (slivered, for garnish)
1 tbsp Almonds (slivered, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Brew the Tea Concentrate (Kehwa)
In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, Kashmiri green tea leaves, baking soda, crushed green cardamom, and star anise.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half. The concentrate will develop a deep, reddish-brown color.
2
Shock and Aerate the Tea
Pour 1 cup of cold water into the simmering concentrate. This temperature shock is crucial for activating the chemical reaction that creates the pink color.
Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium heat.
Using a large ladle, begin to aerate the tea. Scoop the liquid and pour it back into the pot from a height of about 10-12 inches. Repeat this process vigorously for 4-5 minutes. You will see the color transform from reddish-brown to a clearer, pinkish hue.
3
Add Milk and Season
Strain the tea concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot to remove the tea leaves and whole spices.
Place the pot with the strained concentrate on the stove over medium-low heat.
Slowly pour in the milk and add the salt, stirring gently to combine.
Heat the chai for 3-4 minutes until it is hot, but do not let it come to a rolling boil, as this can alter the taste and texture. The chai should now have its characteristic beautiful pink color.
4
Garnish and Serve
Ladle the hot Noon Chai into serving cups.
Garnish the top of each cup with a sprinkle of slivered almonds and pistachios.
Serve immediately and enjoy the unique, savory warmth of this traditional Kashmiri beverage.
