Kerala Paratha Recipe - Makes 6

Ingredients

2 cups (250g or 9 oz) wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon (1ml) salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
3/4 cup (180ml or 6 fl oz) cold water
4 tablespoons (60ml) butter, melted
12 teaspoons (60ml) vegetable oil, for frying
Flour for dusting and rolling

Method

Put the wheat flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and mix well
Add the beaten egg, vegetable oil and water and mix well with your hands until a basic dough has formed
Put the dough onto a work surface and knead until smooth and pliable (10 minutes), adding a little more flour or water if needed
Roll the dough into a large ball, put into the mixing bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rest for 2 hours
Divide the dough into 6 equals pieces, roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball and roll each piece into a thin round, using the dusting flour as needed
Brush each round lightly with the melted butter
Roll each dough piece from the edge into a thin rope-like length
Hold one end of each dough length and twist the dough into a spiral and then leave to rest for 30 minutes
Flatten each of the dough spirals gently with the palm of your hand and then use a rolling pin to make a thin round
Preheat the oven to 150C (300F)
Heat 2 teaspoons (10ml) vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed frying pan (or skillet) over a medium heat
Put the first dough round into the frying pan and cook until air bubbles form in the dough (about 2 minutes)
Brush the top lightly with melted butter, turn the paratha over and keep cooking until the paratha is golden (about 1 minute)
Take the paratha out of the frying pan and put onto a plate and put into the oven to keep warm
Repeat the cooking steps with the remaining dough round
Serve immediately

Recipe submitted on 16 December 2014