356 – Phulka – Flat Indian Bread / الخبز الهندى (بولكا)

Ingredients :

• 3 cups (390 grams) whole wheat flour
• 1 water (236 ml) or more if needed
• 3/4 tsp salt
• Ghee (substitute with oil or butter)

Directions :

Step 1: Making the Dough
1- In a large bowl, place the whole wheat flour and mix it with salt.
2- Add the water litte by little to the flour, while mixing with your hand.
NOTE: if you add the water all at once, the dough will become too sticky to knead.
3- Knead the dough with the palm of your hand, in energetic movements until it absorbs all the water before adding more water. Knock the dough down with your fist while kneading.
4- Knead the dough until it becomes soft and not sticky. if it’s too sticky continue kneading and a little flour if required. Also all the sides of the bowl become clean during the kneading process (no flour or dough sticking to the sides).
5- Keep the dough in the bowl and cover it. Let it rest for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Shaping the Phulka
1- Make small round dough balls by rolling and shaping them in the palm of your hands.
2- Flatten the balls and sprinkle them with some wheat flour on both sides.
3- Heat your flat pan while you are shaping the dough balls.

Step 3: Cooking the Phulka
1- Using your rolling pin, flatten the dough ball into a flat thin round circle.
2- Place in the hot flat pan. Cook one side for a minute until you see little bubbles in the surface. Then flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds or so.
3- Quickly remove your pan, hold the flat bread with tongs and place the first surface that cooked directly on the flame of the gaz stove. You will notice that it starts puffing! When it’s all puffed (it takes a few seconds), turn and cook the other side for a few seconds.
NOTE: it only takes a few seconds, if you keep it long, it will become hard!
4- Quickly place in a plate (or container), apply ghee (oil or butter) on the surface to keep them soft.
5- Continue the same process with the rest of the dough balls.
Serve with curries or any dishes with a sauce!

Bon Appetit!!!