Missa Paratha (Pan Fried 3 Grain Bread with Spices & Greens)
We Indians do not traditionally bake our bread. We cook it on or in a pan. Indian wheat is quite hard, high in protein and gluten. Hence it works perfectly well for making ‘Chapati’, ‘Naan’ & ‘Paratha’ but is difficult to use for baking western style breads 🥖
Of all the beautiful Indian breads out there, the ‘Missa Paratha’ has me consistently gravitating towards it. The recipe comes from Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh – where my paternal roots lie and this delicious bread has been a staple for several generations.
The Missa Paratha is special for several reasons. It is firstly complex and delicious. It is a multi flour bread, making it highly nutritious. It has specific spices that assist in the digestion of the cereals and is packed with leafy greens 🥬that add flavour and elevate the goodness of the bread. But the best part of this bread is the ease of making it. It’s simple and made using the most basic of an Indian pantry! 🙆🏻♀️
I usually enjoy it most with a bowl of home made curds but you may choose to eat it with a curry of your choice. Just remember, the bread has enough flavour on it it’s own hence needs to be paired with a neutral, preferably creamy side dish.
Ingredients
1 cup atta (Indian Wheat Flour)
1/2 cup besan atta (chickpea flour)
1 cup bajra atta (millet flour)
1 cup chopped methi leaves (you can choose any fresh green of your choice)
1/2 cup chopped spinach leaves
1 green chili finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
Pinch of hing (asofetida)
1 tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
Vegetable Oil
Directions
1. Take all three flours and mix with the dry spice powders
2. Add salt, – tbsp oil and add the green leaves and green chili
3. Bind into a semi – firm dough by adding water slowly
4. The dough should not be sticky. Add more flour if that happens. You should be able to easily dig into the dough with your finger
5. Take a golf ball size dough ball and roll into a circular shape. Use a little oil on the rolling pin if you find it difficult to roll
6. Heat the tawa (iron flat pan) and place the paratha bread on it on medium flame
7. Cook on one side for a few minutes. Apply a little oil on the bread side facing up and flip it
8. Then reduce the flame and add oil on the other side
9. Cook on each side, pressing the bread onto the pan until golden on both sides
10. You will need to control the temperature of the pan and ensure it is not overheated
11. Serve warm with a side of curds or a mild curry
