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Kerala Paratha | Malabari Parotta

A flatbread with many layers making it flaky and crispy from outside and at the same time it is so soft with a melt in the mouth texture. It is served hot with any type of Indian style spicy curry.
Course Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Flat Bread, Paratha
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10 Parathas
Author Shanaz Rafiq

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain flour maida / all purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk @room temperature
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup warm water as needed or little more
  • ¼ cup cooking oil for greasing and cooking the parathas

Instructions

  • In a bowl mix together, 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp sugar and 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well till everything is well combined.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups plain flour and salt. Add the liquid mixture little by little as you go on bringing the dough together into a large mass yet sticky and slacky dough. Add more plain flour if needed and knead for 5 minutes by applying some oil on the surface of the dough. Leave the dough covered for 15 minutes.
  • Again start kneading the dough for 5 minutes till it gets a smooth soft texture.
  • The secret for soft paratha is to leave it overnight at room temperature, or at least 2 to 3 hours.
  • Divide the dough into lemon size portions. Roll out each portion into a large thin disc, so thin and transparent that the surface on which you are preparing should be visible. Do not worry if there are any holes or if the shape is not round.
  • Pour few drops of oil on the rolled out dough and spread it evenly with your hands.
  • Start folding like a paper fan with small pleats, starting from one end to the other. Twist the whole pleated dough and swirl it around to make a small twisted disc. See the pictures for illustration.
  • Apply some oil on the twisted disc and keep covered with a wet cloth till you have finished this step with all the other portions.
  • Heat a pan, and with help of a rolling pin start rolling out the disc to small parathas by using only oil (no plain flour).
  • Cook the paratha on both sides using oil till golden. Repeat with all the parathas.
  • To bring out the layers from the cooked paratha, slightly smash the paratha between both the palms. (slight crushing).
  • Serve hot with a spicy gravy.