Parsi Fried Chicken, Ladi Pav and Coriander Mint Chutney

Ingredients

• 3 cup maida (approx 375g)
• 1.5 tsp instant dry yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup milk (warm)
• 0.5 cup water (warm, adjust as needed)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp butter for brushing (melted)

Instructions

1. 1

   Activate the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

2. 2

   Make the dough. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture and the 2 tbsp of melted butter. Mix with a spatula or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

3. 3

   Knead the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, soft, and elastic. It should spring back when you press it lightly.

4. 4

   First proofing. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 60-75 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

5. 5

   Shape the pav. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball, tucking the edges underneath. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. Arrange the dough balls in the pan, placing them close enough to touch each other as they rise.

6. 6

   Second proofing. Cover the pan with a damp cloth and let the pav rise again for about 30 minutes, or until they are puffy and have almost doubled.

7. 7

   Bake the pav. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gently brush the tops of the risen pav with the 2 tbsp of milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. If they brown too quickly, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil for the last 5 minutes.

8. 8

   Finish and serve. As soon as the pav come out of the oven, brush them generously with the remaining 1 tbsp of melted butter. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Ingredients

• 2 cup Coriander Leaves (Packed, with tender stems)
• 1 cup Mint Leaves (Packed, stems discarded)
• 3 whole Green Chilies (Adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 inch Ginger (Peeled and roughly chopped)
• 3 clove Garlic (Peeled)
• 2 tbsp Roasted Chana Dal (Also known as Dalia or Bhuna Chana)
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• 0.5 tsp Chaat Masala
• 0.5 tsp Black Salt (Also known as Kala Namak)
• 0.5 tsp Sugar (Optional, helps balance the tanginess)
• 0.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 3 whole Ice Cubes (Or use 3-4 tbsp of ice-cold water)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Herbs (3 minutes)

   • Thoroughly wash the coriander and mint leaves under cold running water to remove any grit or dirt.
   • Pluck the mint leaves from their stems; discard the thicker stems as they can be bitter.
   • For the coriander, use both the leaves and the tender upper stems, which are packed with flavor. Roughly chop the bunch.
2. 2

   Combine Ingredients in Blender (2 minutes)

   • Place the washed coriander and mint leaves into a high-speed blender jar.
   • Add the green chilies (broken in half), chopped ginger, garlic cloves, roasted chana dal, lemon juice, chaat masala, black salt, sugar (if using), and salt.
3. 3

   Blend to a Smooth Paste (2 minutes)

   • Add the ice cubes or 3 tablespoons of ice-cold water. Using ice is highly recommended as it prevents the herbs from oxidizing and helps maintain a vibrant green color.
   • Blend for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the jar as needed, until you achieve a completely smooth, uniform paste.
   • Avoid over-blending, as the heat from the motor can darken the chutney. If the mixture is too thick, add one more tablespoon of cold water and pulse briefly to combine.