Masala Omelette, Bajra Roti and Green Chili Pickle

Ingredients

• 2 cup Bajra Flour (Also known as pearl millet flour)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 1 cup Warm Water (Use as needed, the amount may vary)
• 2 tbsp Ghee (For serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Dough

   • In a wide bowl or parat, combine the 2 cups of bajra flour and 0.5 tsp of salt. Mix well.
   • Gradually add warm water, a little at a time, and start gathering the flour to form a shaggy dough.
   • Once the flour comes together, begin kneading. Use the heel of your palm to push and press the dough for 5-7 minutes. This process is crucial for a smooth, crack-free roti.
   • The final dough should be soft, smooth, and pliable, similar to the consistency of chapati dough. It should not be sticky or too stiff.
   • Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes. Do not rest it for too long as it can become dry.
2. 2

   Shape the Rotis

   • After resting, knead the dough again for one minute.
   • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll them into smooth, crack-free balls.
   • Take one ball of dough. Dust your palms with a little dry bajra flour.
   • Gently flatten the ball and start patting it between your palms, rotating it as you go, to form a thin disc of about 4-5 inches in diameter. This is the traditional method.
   • For an easier method, place a dough ball on a piece of parchment paper or a plastic sheet. Flatten it slightly, cover with another sheet, and use a rolling pin to gently roll it into a 4-5 inch circle of about 1/4 inch thickness.
3. 3

   Cook the Rotis

   • Heat a cast-iron or earthen tawa (griddle) over medium-high heat. The tawa should be hot before you place the roti on it.
   • Carefully lift the rolled roti and place it on the hot tawa.
   • Cook for about 45-60 seconds on the first side, or until you see small bubbles and the color changes slightly.
   • Flip the roti using tongs and cook the other side for about a minute until light brown spots appear.
   • For a soft, puffed roti, you can now place it directly on a low open flame using tongs. It will puff up in seconds. Flip to cook both sides evenly. Alternatively, press the roti gently on the tawa with a folded kitchen towel to help it puff up.
   • Repeat the process for all the remaining dough balls.
4. 4

   Serve

   • Once cooked, remove the roti from the heat and immediately brush it generously with ghee.
   • Serve the hot Bajra Roti with Rajasthani curries like Gatte ki Sabzi, dal, or simply with a dollop of white butter (makhan) and a piece of jaggery (gur).

Ingredients

• 250 g green chilies (less spicy, thick variety preferred)
• 0.5 cup mustard oil
• 2 tbsp rai dal (split mustard seeds)
• 2 tbsp saunf (coarsely ground)
• 3 tbsp salt
• 3 tbsp lemon juice (or white vinegar)
• 1 tsp haldi
• 1 tsp methi dana
• 0.5 tsp hing

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the chilies. Wash the green chilies thoroughly under running water. Wipe them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. There should be no moisture left, as this can spoil the pickle. Remove the stems from all the chilies. Slit each chili lengthwise, leaving the base intact so they don't fall apart.

2. 2

   Prepare the spice mix. In a small pan, dry roast the fenugreek seeds on low heat for about 30-40 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the roasted seeds to a grinder jar. Add the split mustard seeds (rai dal) and coarsely ground fennel seeds to the jar. Grind everything into a coarse powder.

3. 3

   Heat the oil. Pour the mustard oil into a small pan. Heat it on medium-high heat until it reaches its smoking point. You'll see faint smoke rising. Turn off the heat and let the oil cool down completely to room temperature.

4. 4

   Mix the pickle. In a large, dry mixing bowl, combine the slit green chilies, the ground spice mix, turmeric powder, asafoetida, and salt. Mix well with a dry spoon until the spices coat the chilies. Pour the cooled mustard oil and the lemon juice over the chili mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure each chili is well-coated with oil and spices.

5. 5

   Jar and mature the pickle. Carefully transfer the pickle into a clean, dry, and sterilized glass jar. Cover the mouth of the jar with a lid or a piece of muslin cloth tied securely. Place the jar in direct sunlight for 3-4 days. This helps the flavors to mature and preserves the pickle. Shake the jar gently once every day.

6. 6

   Store the pickle. After sunning, the pickle is ready to eat. The chilies will have softened slightly and absorbed the flavors. Store the pickle in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life, up to several months.