A paratha is a whole wheat flour-based unleavened flatbread that is part of most meals in Indian cuisine. Masaledar paratha is a variation of this layered flatbread with masala, dry spices that are added to add flavour to the basic bread. Masala paratha is that takes you from breakfast to dinner with ease depending on how you pair it.
Shapes to the paratha
Parathas come in huge varieties in North Indian cuisine. Unlike the rotis, parathas can easily be made in various shapes. We had made triangle ghee parathas earlier and round coconut and white chocolate paratha. This time we make square masala paratha. The shapes are just a means to add variety so feel free to change them around. No hard and fast rule here.
What to serve with a masala paratha?
Masala parathas are tasty as such often accompanied by masala chai. This is commonly how it is served at breakfast. At times you will find paired with a small bowl (katori)of plain yogurt and achar like we have done for sattu paratha.
Being a soft bread you can use it to mop up not so spicy curries or spinach daal and serve with a side of salad.
There are times when I use masala paratha with simple stirfry as a wrap for lunch.
Frozen masala paratha
Frozen masala parathas are my happy heaven. When I miss my alarm clock (and my live alarm, cat) and need to rush out of the door for work, mostly on Saturdays the stack of masala paratha comes in so handy. Stash some as you make it for that rushed morning.
For freezing, there are two ways. The best is to half cook the parathas. Save these between baking paper and wrap them in a freezer-safe pouch or boxes. Without thawing cook then on the griddle (flat pan) for a couple of minutes on each side to get perfectly cooked parathas.
If you are literally going to run out of the door with it (like me) this won’t work. For this, freeze fully cooked parathas with baking paper in between and in freezer-safe pouches.
Tip – you don’t want to pack the hot parathas they will sweat and become soggy. Instead, let them come to room temperature and then pack them.
Masala paratha
Equipment
- frying pan
- mixing bowl.
- Rolling pin
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups wholewheat flour
- salt to taste
- 1/2 cup drinking water ( for travel parathas, use milk)
for the masala mix
- 2 tsp cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
Instructions
- Mix together the masala ingredients with the oil and set it aside.
- Into the mixing bowl add the whole wheat flour and salt and mix well.
- Add a little bit of water at a time and keep mixing the dough.
- Once the dough comes together knead it into a smooth pliable dough.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and rest it for 10 minutes.
- Pinch out this dough into 10 equal bits.
- Smooth out this dough into a ball.
- Roll it out into a small circle.
- Apply a thin layer of the masala paste.
- Fold the sides over to form a square shape.
- Roll this thin to form a square paratha
- Set the flat pan on medium heat.
- Cook the parathas till golden on each side, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove and stack the parathas to serve.
Masala paratha for travel
Don’t miss carrying this paratha for a bit of travel food – Road trips, camps and picnics. They stay good for a couple of days with no refrigeration. Check the recipe notes to see what you can do to make it travel safe. The key point in making paratha for travel is again to never pack them when they are hot. The paratha stays good for 2-3 days when packed without refrigeration. Make sure you pack the parata with a piece of parchment in between to prevent sticking.
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Ha ha can so related to the scene of rushing out to work. These masala paratha are certainly delicious and will make them for the girls this time. Going to visit them soon.
I am sure it will be a handy recipe for the girls as these can be frozen well too. So the girls can have them after you have left too.
Seema thank you so much for your excellent tips on how to freeze masala paratha. I froze some and the parathas were handy as a quick breakfast option when I had some guests over.
Oh! that is nice to know. I am so happy the masala parathas frozen works well for you too. It is absolutely useful when you have guests no doubt.
These Masala parathas surely remind me of amma making a version of these flatbreads while she rushed out every morning. We would look forward to the hot parathas with ghee n sugar on a leisurely weekend.
That’s a wow paratha Seema. It is so similar to what we make, the spices differ. This is such a quick recipe that comes handy when in a rush. I was always skeptical about freezing them, but now having gone through your post, I will give a try. It will taste awesome with a cup of tea.
I often make the masala paratha when I am bored of making any side dish. Liked the idea of freezing these parathas, that’s a good tip Seema.
Love Masala Paratha any day, specially when I can’t figure out what to eat. I also add ajwain in my masala paratha.