Special Occasion Recipes: Celebrate with Delicious Indian Vegetarian Dishes
In Indian culture, food is an integral part of every celebration, festival, and special occasion. Whether it’s a grand wedding, a religious festival, or a simple family get-together, the menu is always elaborate, reflecting the richness of the Indian culinary heritage. Special occasions call for special dishes, and when it comes to Indian cuisine, the options are endless. From mouth-watering appetizers to sumptuous main courses and decadent desserts, Indian vegetarian recipes can make any celebration truly unforgettable.
The Importance of Food in Indian Celebrations
Food plays a central role in Indian celebrations, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and togetherness. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, using ingredients that are in harmony with the occasion’s significance. Traditional recipes passed down through generations often take center stage, with a focus on flavors, textures, and presentation.
Indian vegetarian cuisine, in particular, offers a wide range of options that cater to various dietary preferences and religious practices. These recipes are not only delicious but are also steeped in cultural and regional significance, making them ideal for special occasions.
Must-Try Indian Vegetarian Recipes for Special Occasions
Paneer Lababdar
Paneer Lababdar is a rich and creamy dish made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cooked in a tomato-based gravy. The addition of cream and butter gives it a luxurious texture, making it perfect for a festive meal. Serve it with naan or pulao for a complete experience.
Dum Aloo
Dum Aloo is a popular dish from North India, where baby potatoes are cooked slowly in a spicy yogurt-based gravy. The slow cooking process, known as “dum,” ensures that the flavors are deeply infused into the potatoes, making it a favorite for special occasions.
Malai Kofta
Malai Kofta is a classic dish that features soft, melt-in-the-mouth koftas (dumplings) made from paneer, potatoes, and nuts, simmered in a creamy tomato gravy. It’s a dish that’s sure to impress your guests and is often served at weddings and celebrations.
Pulao with Nuts and Raisins
A fragrant and flavorful rice dish, pulao is often prepared with a variety of spices, nuts, and raisins. This dish is a staple at Indian weddings and festivals, offering a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Gajar Ka Halwa
No Indian celebration is complete without dessert, and Gajar Ka Halwa (carrot pudding) is a must-have. Made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee, this dessert is garnished with nuts and is often served during Diwali and other festive occasions.
Puran Poli
Puran Poli is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet flatbread stuffed with a filling made from chana dal (split chickpeas) and jaggery. This delicacy is commonly prepared during festivals like Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Kofta Biryani
Biryani is synonymous with celebration, and Kofta Biryani adds a vegetarian twist to this classic dish. Made with spiced koftas, basmati rice, and aromatic spices, this dish is layered and slow-cooked to perfection, making it ideal for festive gatherings.
Dahi Bhalla
Dahi Bhalla is a popular North Indian snack made from deep-fried lentil balls soaked in yogurt and topped with chutneys and spices. This dish is a favorite during festivals like Holi and Diwali and is loved for its tangy and sweet flavors.
Shahi Paneer
Shahi Paneer is a royal dish that lives up to its name. “Shahi” means royal, and this dish is made with paneer cooked in a rich and creamy gravy of cashews, almonds, and cream. It’s a dish that is often reserved for the most special occasions.
Kheer
Kheer, a rice pudding, is one of the most beloved Indian desserts, often prepared for festivals and celebrations. Made with rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron, kheer is garnished with nuts and dried fruits, making it a fitting end to a celebratory meal.
Tips for Planning a Special Occasion Menu
Balance the Menu: Ensure that your menu has a good mix of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Include a variety of flavors and textures to keep your guests engaged.
Consider Dietary Preferences: Indian cuisine offers a range of vegetarian options, but it’s also important to consider other dietary needs, such as vegan or gluten-free preferences.
Plan Ahead: Special occasion meals often require elaborate preparation. Plan your menu in advance and do as much prep work as possible the day before the event.
Presentation Matters: The way you present your food can enhance the dining experience. Use garnishes, elegant serving dishes, and thoughtful plating to make your dishes visually appealing.
Conclusion
Indian vegetarian cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors and dishes that are perfect for any special occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, a festival, or just gathering with loved ones, these recipes will add a touch of festivity and joy to your table. From creamy paneer dishes to decadent desserts, each dish is crafted to make your celebration memorable.
For more special occasion recipes, visitManjula’s Kitchen – Special Occasion Recipes. Explore a world of flavors and find the perfect dishes to make your celebration truly special.
Gulgulas are like lightly sweetened mini donuts. In India these are made for special occasions. This is a quick and easy to make recipe. They make good finger food even for the kids on the go. This is an easy recipe to make when you are craving for something sweet.
Mix whole-wheat flour, yogurt, sugar, fennel seeds, and oil, add water slowly as needed to make the thick consistency batter.
Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.
The frying pan should have about 1 inch of oil. (To check if the oil is ready, put one drop of batter in oil. The batter should come up but not change color right away).
Slowly drop 1 teaspoon of batter at a time in to the oil. Don’t over crowd the frying pan.
Fry the Gulgulas golden brown all sides, turning them occasionally. It will take 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the gulgulas and place over a paper towel so the excess oil is absorbed.
Notes
Tips, If oil is not hot enough gulgulas will stick to the bottom of the frying pan.
This colorful veggie wrap is my favorite lunch box item. One bite of it and your kids will crave for more. It tastes the same whether it’s served hot or cold. It does not contain any chilies. The tomato sauce used in this recipe may be replaced by pudina (mint) chutney. The cream cheese is optional. Alternatively, the cream cheese may be replaced with mayonnaise or hung curd. In order to obtain tri-color phulkas (Flat Indian Bread), doughs are used from the Carrot Paratha, Ajwain Paratha and Palak (Spinach) Paratha recipes. However, normal wheat dough too can be used.
As a Kindergarten teacher I have spent years observing children eating their lunch box. I also raised two very picky eaters. One thing I have noticed over the years is that children truly love eating pasta. This was my inspiration to try a fusion recipe – Paneer Curry Pasta Salad.
1 cup 1 cup of sweet corn kernels (fresh or frozen, I used fresh)
1/2 cup of light whipped cream cheese
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 yellow onion, diced
6 baby carrots, diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 lemon – zested; ½ lemon juiced
(dash of chili powder to taste, especially if adults will be eating alongside the children)
Instructions
Method
In a 4-qt sauce pan, add 8 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and boil on high heat until tender (~25 minutes). Drain in colander. While pasta is boiling gather and prepare other ingredients.
Gently saute paneer cubes in 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick pan (gently brown). Set the paneer cubes aside and leave oil in the pan.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the nonstick pan. Heat to medium-high. Progressively add ingredients in the following order:
Carrots – sautee for about 1 minute
Onions – mix
Curry powder and garlic powder – mix
Corn – mix
Green and red bell peppers – mix
Saute all ingredients together for about 1 minute.
This is a healthy and incredibly easy recipe to make. Veggie Hash is very satisfying, delightful and colorful dish.This recipe is from my aunt from Seattle Washington.
1 small zucchini cut in cubes approx. 1 cup cubes zucchini
½ cup mushrooms sliced
1 small red bell pepper cubed approx. 1 cup cubes bell pepper
2-1/2 tablespoons of oil
1-1/2 teaspoon of salt adjust to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ginger juice
¼ cup chopped cilantro (hara dhania)
1 minced green chili
Approx. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
1 medium size tomato sliced for garnishing
Instructions
Method
Boil the potatoes peel and shred, Potatoes should be not over boiled they should be firm. After shredding potatoes should be approx. 1-1/2 cup. Set aside.
Heat the saucepan (about 8” diameter) over medium heat, grease the pan generously and spread the shredded potatoes evenly. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of oil over potatoes and flip them using spatula, potatoes will be light golden brown.
Let the other side cook for 3-4 minutes if needed cook longer because potatoes should be golden brown both sides.
While the potatoes are cooking heat the other saucepan over medium heat put the 1 tablespoon of oil and adds all the vegetables.
Stir-fry the veggie for few minutes; veggies should be crisp and tender. Turn off the heat add ½ teaspoon of salt or adjust to your taste and black pepper. Mix it.
Serving the Veggie Hash Browns
Transfer the potatoes on the serving plate sprinkle salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of ginger juice garnish with half the cilantro, green chili and drizzle some lemon juice.
Top the potatoes with stir-fry veggies, and garnish the veggies drizzling ginger juice, cilantro, green chili and lemon juice.
Last top it with cheese and put the plate in microwave for a minute to melt the cheese. Cheese is optional.
Serve hot.
Notes
Suggestion
Veggie Hash Brown makes a good one dish meal serve with soup and slice bread.
Vegie Hash Browns makes a great dish for Vegan, without Cheese
Paneer Paratha is whole-wheat flat bread filled with mildly spiced paneer Indian Cheese). This is a good breakfast option. Paneer paratha can be served by itself or enjoyed with any gravy-based dish.
In a bowl, mix whole-wheat, all-purpose flour, salt and oil. Add water to make soft dough (adjust the water as needed).
Knead the dough on a lightly greased surface. The dough should be very smooth and soft.
Set the dough aside and cover. Let the dough rest for at least ten minutes.
Filling
Mix all the ingredients for filling together, mix it well (don’t knead the filling).
Making Paratha
Divide the dough and the paneer mix into 6 equal parts.
Roll the dough into 3-inch diameter circles. Place the paneer balls in the center. Seal by pulling the edges of the rolled dough together to make a ball. Proceed to make all six balls.
Let them settle for 3 to 4 minutes before rolling them.
Heat the skillet on medium high. An iron skillet works best. To check if the skillet is hot enough. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the skillet, water should sizzle. Skillets should not be smoking.
Before rolling the paratha roll the filled ball in dry whole-wheat flour.
Lightly press the ball and keep it sealed side up. Roll the ball lightly handed in to 6–7-inch circle. Whenever the dough sticks to the rolling pin or rolling surface, lightly sprinkle dry whole-wheat flour on both sides of the semi-rolled paratha.
Place the paratha over the skillet. About half a minute you will see the paratha changing in color lightly and puff different places.
Then flip the paratha over. You should see some light golden-brown spots on the topside. After a few seconds, spread 1 teaspoon of oil on the paratha. Again, flip the paratha and lightly press the puffed areas with a spatula that will help the paratha too puff from other sides.
Flip again and press with the spatula making sure the paratha is golden-brown on both sides.
For best taste serve parathas hot as they get soft as they cool.
Parathas can be kept outside for a day. For later use, parathas can be refrigerated for 5-6 days or freezed (wrapped in aluminum foil) for a month. Reheat a skillet or toaster oven.
The coconut is such a versatile fruit and can be incorporated in a myriad of recipes. Instead of using coconut for its meat i decided to use coconut flour and create some wonderfully delicious pancakes. Coconut flour is fast gaining popularity as a great health food. It is low in carbohydrate content and high in fiber and it helps with weight loss.I've also made coconut syrup to go with this vegan coconut pancakes. Followed by a glass of tender coconut water, it makes a very healthy and tasty breakfast which at the same time is packed with protein and fiber and a great deal of nutrients and antioxidant from coconut water.
Add the coconut milk and combine. Keep stirring as you add the milk and whisk to form smooth batter.
Heat a griddle on medium heat.
Pour 1/3 cup batter in the center of the heated griddle and gently spread to about 5 inches diameter.
Drizzle with about 1 tsp of coconut oil.
Flip the pancake over after about a minute. It should be golden brown in color. Let the other side cook for about half a minute and then remove it from the griddle.
Make the other pancakes in this manner
for Cocunut Syrup
Take water in a vessel and let it come to a boil.
Add jaggery and turn heat to medium. Heat until the jaggery dissolves fully and starts forming a syrupy texture.
Add the coconut and let it cook for about 3 minutes.
Add the cardmom powder and remove from heat.
Putting it all together
We will form a stack of four pancakes. So take one pancake. Drizzle some syrup on it making sure u get enough coconut on the pancake. Continue stacking 4 pancakes in this manner. Drizzle the rest of the syrup on the topmost pancake and top with some freeze dried or fresh fruits of your choice. Enjoy!. The pancakes are tasty enough without the syrup too so the health conscious can enjoy the low-carb high fiber pancakes without the extra carbs from the syrup. What a guilt free and sumptuous breakfast!
Summer is the best time for frozen treats and there is nothing better than ice cold Popsicle. These Popsicles are made with fresh fruits. This is a kid’s friendly recipe. This recipe is for two different fruit flavored Popsicles, orange and strawberry.
Combine cucumber, honeydew and lime juice and salt.
Blend most of the blueberries (reserve a handful) with ½ cup of water.
Strain the blueberry purée into an ice cube tray, filling up half of the molds. In each of the other molds, place 3-5 whole blueberries (from the reserved handful) and fill with water. Put in freezer to set for about two hours.
To serve, arrange the blueberry ices in a glass alternately and top with juice. Garnish with sprig of mint. If desired, sugar or other sweetener can be added. Enjoy!
1 Melon (Gala for light sweet/Honey Dew for more sweet)
4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
2 teaspoon ginger juice
Salt and Pepper to Taste
2 teaspoon sugar (Optional, depending on taste)
1/2 Cup water
For Cheese Crackers:
3-4 Savory Crackers of your choice
3-4 thick cut feta cheese cubes
2 tablespoons of Green, Red and Yellow Bell Peppers
few Coriander leaves
4-6 Black Olives
Salt and Pepper for Seasoning
For garnish:
1 Tablespoon feta cheese to sprinkle
2-4 Olives
1 inch cube of melon cut into 4 small parts
Coriander leaves to decorate
1 Tablespoon of mixed bell Peppers cubes
4 Toothpicks
Instructions
Method
Cut the Melon (leave a 1 inch cube aside for decoration later) into medium pieces and marinate with the lemon juice, ginger juice, chilli flakes, salt and pepper in the refrigerator for half an hour. It is good to marinate the melon slices in the spices to assimilate all the flavors well, but if you don't have time to marinade you can make the soup instantly as well.
Blend the marinated melon in a mixer with about half cup water.
Pour the Soup into Serving Cups and Garnish with crumbled cheese, coriander and olives.
In a small bowl make a mixture of small cubes of bell peppers, olives and melon and season with salt and pepper. Take a toothpick, skew the small pieces onto it. Decorate on the glass.
Take 3-4 savory crackers, Gently keep the cube of feta cheese on top and garnish with olives, peppers and season. Serve beside the soup as a teaser.
Relish as a snack drink or a refreshing starter.
Notes
Variations:
This soup can be made with any melon variety of your liking. You may also add mint for freshness.
As a serving suggestion, this soup can also be served in half cut scooped out shells of the melon.
soak almonds and cashew nuts both in a small cup of water for 20 minutes and then remove the skin of almonds and keep aside
remove seeds in dates and soak them in water for 20 minutes and keep aside
now blend soy milk, watermelon pieces, strawberries, banana, apple, vanilla essence, soaked almonds, cashew nuts and dates. (number of dates can be adjusted according to taste)
add crushed ice and blend again and pour in tall glass.
now add watermelon cubes into glass and stir it with spoon once.
This is a mildly spiced, refreshing and healthyappetizer. Tomatoes and cucumbers are filled with sprouted moong or flavored cream cheese. It makes an amazingly colorful finger food that is quick & easy to prepare and tastes incredible.
Prepare Sprouts: In a small frying pan, heat the oil on medium heat. Add cumin seeds and as they crack add sprouts, ginger, black pepper and water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sprouts are tender. Remove pan from heat. Add lemon juice, stir and set aside.
Prepare cream cheese topping by mixing all the ingredients. Set aside.
Cut tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds creating hollow bowls.
Take cucumber slices and scoop out the seeds, creating small bowls.
Fill all tomatoes and 4 cucumber slices with moong sprouts.
Fill the remaining 4 cucumber slices with cream cheese filling.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
How to make sprouts
Soak the whole moong for 10 to 12 hours. Water should be about four times more than the Moong.
After soaking moong, it will double in volume.
Drain the water and loosely wrap the beans with the muslin or cheesecloth. Store the soaked beans in a warm dark place
These are absolutely delicious and flavorful sandwiches that are quick and easy to make. Tofu sandwiches are healthy and appropriate for Vegans, too. The Tofu provides a great source of protein, while the Hari Cilantro chutney brings in a unique ethnic flavor to the sandwich. These sandwiches make a great “to-go” lunch.
Prepare sandwich ingredients: Slice tofu into ¼” thickness and pat dry. Wash and remove ends of zucchini, then cut lengthwise into approx. ⅛” thick slices. Wash and slice tomatoes. Set aside.
Mix Hari Cilantro Chutney and sugar, set aside.
Generously grease a flat skillet and bring to medium heat. Add tofu and zucchini slices and lightly sprinkle with salt. Grill on both sides until they are light-brown in color. Remove from skillet and wipe skillet clean.
Slice rolls lengthwise through the center and lightly spread with olive oil on the inside portion. Place on medium-heat skillet to toast. Turn off the heat.
Assemble the sandwich over the skillet: Turn over the roll and lightly spread Hari Cilantro Chutney on the bottom half of the roll. Layer with lettuce followed by tofu slices. Spread tofu with more chutney. Layer with zucchini followed by tomatoes. Cover with the top half of the roll.
Notes
VariationYellow Squash, eggplant, or mushrooms also taste great in this sandwich.
Potato skins are boiled potatoes filled with spicy chickpeas. This is a mouthwatering snack, that looks great and tastes yummy. It is a delicious and healthyappetizer for the people who don’t like to have oily food.
Boil approximately 3 cups of water in a pan over medium high heat; add salt, oil and potatoes.
Cover and cook potatoes till they are tender, which will take approximately 20 minutes. Remove them from the water.
Once the potatoes are cool to touch, scoop out the insides from the center leaving ¼ inch thickness to outside of the potato. Red potato works best for this recipe because they hold their shape nicely.
Set potatoes aside.
Filling
Soak chickpeas for at least 8 hours in 3 cups of water or more.
Boil the chickpeas in 1 ½ cup of water in a pressure cooker over medium high heat. As the pressure cooker begins to steam, lower the heat to medium and cook for 6 minutes.
Add all the spices, mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes over low heat.
Spicy chickpeas should be a thick gravy-like consistency, not dry. As chickpeas cool they will absorb the water. Set aside.
Assembling Potato Skin
Take each potato bowl and coat the inside with one teaspoon of Hari Cilantro Chutney.
Place 2 tablespoons of spiced chickpeas into the chutney coated bowl. Drizzle the top with tamarind chutney.
Potato Skins Recipe: A Delicious Appetizer for Any Occasion
Potato skins, a beloved appetizer, can be transformed into a delectable snack that satisfies both vegan and gluten-free diets, offering a low-fat option perfect for those seeking a healthier indulgence, while still enjoying the savory crunch of chaat-inspired flavors. Potato skins are a classic appetizer loved by many for their crispy texture and delicious toppings. This potato skins recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy this dish at home. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a savory snack, learning how to make potato skins will surely impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.
Step 1: Preparing the Potatoes
Start by scrubbing the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Since the skin plays a crucial role in this dish, ensure you choose potatoes that are uniform in size and free from blemishes. The ideal potatoes for potato skins are russets or Idaho potatoes, known for their starchy texture, which crisps up beautifully when baked.
Step 2: Baking the Potatoes
Once cleaned, prick the potatoes all over with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. This prevents them from bursting open in the oven. Place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of a preheated oven and bake at 400°F for about 45-60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Baking the potatoes ensures they are cooked through while developing that desirable crispy texture in the potato skin.
Step 3: Cooling and Halving the Potatoes
After baking, allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes until they are safe to handle. Then, carefully cut each potato in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving about a quarter-inch layer attached to the potato skin. Reserve the scooped-out potato flesh for another use, such as mashed potatoes or potato soup, minimizing food waste.
Step 4: Crisping the Potato Skins
Return the hollowed-out potato skins to the oven, placing them cut side up on a baking sheet. Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake the potato skins for an additional 10-15 minutes or until they are golden and crispy. This step ensures that the potato skins develop a satisfying crunch, providing the perfect base for your toppings.
Step 5: Adding Toppings
Once the potato skins are crispy and golden brown, it’s time to add your favorite toppings. Popular options include shredded cheese and dollops of sour cream. Feel free to get creative with your toppings, experimenting with different combinations to suit your taste preferences. Return the topped potato skins to the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and heat up the toppings.
Step 6: Serving and Enjoying
Once the toppings are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the potato skins from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish with additional chopped herbs, such as parsley or chives, for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the potato skins hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauces, and watch them disappear within minutes!
Tips for Perfect Potato Skins
For extra crispy potato skins, brush the hollowed-out shells with melted butter or olive oil before baking.
To save time, you can prepare the potato skins in advance up to the point of baking them with the toppings. Simply cover and refrigerate the assembled potato skins until you’re ready to bake and serve.
Get creative with your toppings! Try adding cooked ground beef or turkey, diced bell peppers, or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Variations of Potato Skins
Vegetarian Option: Opt for vegetarian toppings such as sautéed mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and black olives.
Loaded Potato Skins: Go all out with your toppings by adding a variety of ingredients such as chili con carne, guacamole, and salsa for a hearty and flavorful twist.
Tex-Mex Potato Skins: Use Mexican-inspired toppings like shredded Mexican cheese blend, diced avocado, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo for a south-of-the-border flair.
Benefits of Potato Skins
Nutrient-Rich: Potato skins are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium and vitamin C. Leaving the skin on maximizes the nutritional benefits of this appetizer.
Versatile: You can customize potato skins with your favorite toppings, making them suitable for various dietary preferences and occasions.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether served as an appetizer at a party or enjoyed as a snack while watching the game, potato skins are sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make potato skins ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the potato skins up to the point of adding the toppings, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake and serve.
Q: Can I freeze leftover potato skins?
A: While it’s best to enjoy potato skins fresh, you can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1-2 months. Reheat them in the oven until heated through before serving.
Q: Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?
A: While russet or Idaho potatoes are traditionally used for potato skins, you can experiment with other varieties such as Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes for a unique twist.
Other Recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen
If you’re looking to explore more Indian recipes, appetizers, beverages, and desserts, be sure to check out the following links on Manjula’s Kitchen. Here are some links to recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen official website:
Puran Poli is a sweet flat bread with a sweet dal lentil filling. This is a popular bread in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Puran poli is a wonderful breakfast dish, and can also be served as a snack.
¾ cup Toor dal (Ahrar dal) (available in Indian grocery stores)
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cardamom powder (elaichi)
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (jaiphal)
Also Needed
Approximately 3 tablespoons oil
Approximately ½ cup of dry whole wheat to roll the bread
Instructions
Filling
Wash and soak the toor dal in two cups of water for at least four hours. Dal will double in volume after soaking. Discard any remaining water.
Add toor dal and turmeric to two cups of water and cook in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. When dal boils, remove the yellow foam from the top. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan.
Let it cook for 25 minutes, adding more water if needed. Dal should be very soft and mushy.
Add sugar and cook until the dal looks like paste and starts to hold together. Add cardamom and nutmeg powder and mix well. The dal filling will be very soft and sticky.
Dough
In a bowl, mix whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and oil; add water slowly to make a very soft dough. The dough should not stick to your fingers. Cover the dough and set it aside. Let it rest for at least ten minutes.
Making Puran Poli
Divide both the dough and the dal filling into ten equal parts. The parts of the dal filling should be about 2½ times that of the dough balls.
Roll the dough balls into 2½”-diameter circles. Place one part of the filling in the center of each. Seal by pulling the edges of the rolled dough together to make a ball. Proceed to make all ten balls. Let the filled balls settle for three to four minutes.
Heat the skillet on medium-high heat. To test, sprinkle a couple of drops of water on the skillet. The water should sizzle right away.
Press the filled ball lightly on both sides on a surface covered with dry whole wheat flour.
Lay the balls on the sealed side up and lightly press them into circles about 2” in diameter. Roll the balls gently into 5” circles. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin or rolling surface, lightly sprinkle dry whole wheat flour on both sides of the semi-rolled puran poli.
Place the Puran poli in the skillet. When it starts to change color, flip it over. You will notice some golden-brown spots.
After a few seconds, spread one teaspoon of oil on the puran poli. Flip them again and lightly press the puffed areas with a spatula. Flip again, and press with the spatula making sure the puran poli are golden-brown on both sides.
Repeat the same process for the remaining.
Puran poli is ready to be served and it tastes best when eaten hot.
Notes
Tips
1. When cooking the dal, use a large pot to prevent it from boiling over, as this can happen very easily.2. Cooked Puran Poli can be stored for a week in the refrigerator. Re-heat over a skillet or in the toaster oven.VariationPuran Poli can be prepared using Chana dal, however, it has to be cooked for a slightly longer time.
