Punjabi Kadhi Pakora, Phulka and Aloo Fry

Ingredients

• 2 cup Atta (Also known as whole wheat flour)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Lukewarm Water (Adjust as needed to form a soft, pliable dough)
• 2 tbsp Ghee (For brushing on top, optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Dough

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of atta and salt.
   • Gradually add lukewarm water, a little at a time, mixing with your fingers until the flour comes together to form a dough.
   • Knead the dough on a clean, flat surface for 8-10 minutes, pressing and stretching it with the heel of your hand. The final dough should be soft, smooth, and elastic, not sticky.
2. 2

   Rest the Dough

   • Lightly grease the dough with a few drops of oil or ghee to prevent it from drying out.
   • Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or a lid and let the dough rest for at least 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial for relaxing the gluten, which results in softer phulkas.
3. 3

   Divide and Roll

   • After resting, knead the dough again for one minute.
   • Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized portions and roll them into smooth balls.
   • Take one ball, flatten it between your palms, and dip it into the dry atta for dusting.
   • Place it on a rolling board (chakla) and roll it out evenly into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter. Use minimal dry flour for dusting to avoid making the phulka hard.
4. 4

   Cook on the Tawa (Griddle)

   • Heat a tawa over medium-high heat. To check if it's ready, sprinkle a pinch of dry flour; it should turn brown in a few seconds.
   • Place the rolled phulka on the hot tawa. Cook for about 15-20 seconds until you see small bubbles appear on the surface.
   • Flip the phulka using tongs and cook the other side for 30-40 seconds until light brown spots appear.
5. 5

   Puff on Open Flame

   • Using tongs, carefully lift the phulka off the tawa and place it directly on a high flame.
   • Within seconds, the phulka will puff up into a ball due to the trapped steam.
   • Immediately flip it to cook the other side on the flame for just a second or two. Be careful not to burn it.
6. 6

   Finish and Serve

   • Remove the puffed phulka from the flame. If desired, brush the top with a little ghee.
   • Place the finished phulka in a casserole or a container lined with a clean kitchen towel. This keeps them soft and warm.
   • Repeat the rolling, cooking, and puffing process for the remaining dough balls. Serve hot with your favorite dal or curry.

Ingredients

• 500 g Potatoes (About 4 medium, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes)
• 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil (Or any neutral cooking oil)
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 0.25 tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
• 1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Potatoes

   • Wash, peel, and dice the potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes for even cooking.
   • Place the diced potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 5 minutes to remove excess starch. This is key for crispier potatoes.
   • Just before cooking, drain the potatoes completely and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
2. 2

   Temper the Spices

   • Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium-high heat.
   • Once the oil is shimmering, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter, which takes about 30 seconds.
   • Immediately add the cumin seeds and hing. Sauté for another 30 seconds until the cumin seeds are fragrant and turn a shade darker.
3. 3

   Cook the Potatoes

   • Carefully add the dried potato cubes to the pan. Be cautious as the oil might splatter.
   • Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Stir well to ensure all potato cubes are evenly coated with the spices.
   • Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously.