Mooli Paratha/Radish Stuffed Indian Flatbread With Mint Coriander Green Chutney

When I was about to get married, off I went down the street from my parents home to learn the fine art of making stuffed vegetable parathas from Mrs. Nirmala Sharma, a cheerful Punjabi lady and a family friend who in my opinion made the best mooli parathas. At this point in time, unaware that food would be my chosen profession, my sole determination of acquiring the talent for making good parathas was to feed my beloved to be husband with the best possible food, parathas being one of his favourites.

Thereafter many evenings in Mumbai post our wedding were spent with me experimenting with different combinations of parathas and then us relishing the hot parathas with a green chutney made with mint and coriander leaves.

Down the years with a change in schedules, lifestyle and a baby, parathas had slipped out of our daily menus making an inconspicuous appearance only once in a blue moon. When my mother came to look after me during my recent bout of sickness, she made some awe inspiring parathas with various stuffings. And also revived my long lost love for these stuffed flat unleavened wholesome flat breads.

I digged into my old recipe notebook, flipped the pages and found amongst a host of other parathas, my recipe for mooli or radish parathas with the spice combinations that result into luscious parathas written way back in 2007.

The chutney adds zing, colour and also acts a a very good digestive. These parathas taste good with pickle too. Add some yogurt or lassi and you have a complete meal.

Parathas taste good through the year but they are magical during the winters. With the temperatures dipping in Mumbai, the mooli parathas we had for lunch today was satisfying and comforting. Go ahead and do make these parathas for a truly satisfying meal and remember not to skimp on the fat! Or compromise and have atleast one paratha with ghee or butter slathered over it for one of the ultimate taste experiences.

Mooli Paratha/ Radish Stuffed Indian Flatbread With Mint Coriander Green Chutney Recipe

You could also use the radish leaves for the stuffing.

Ingredients:

280 gm (2 cups) whole wheat flour (atta)

500 gm (3 to 4) white radish

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp finely chopped coriander

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 tsp carom (ajwain) seeds

1/2 tsp asafetida

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

3/4 to 1 tsp red chili powder

1 green chili, chopped (optional)

extra flour for rolling the dough as required

vegetable oil, ghee or butter for cooking as required

Method:

Peel the radish, grate it, add the salt and allow to marinate in a bowl for about 15 to 30 minutes.

Squeeze all the water from the radish and place in a cup or bowl. Using this water make a slightly stiff yet soft and pliable dough with the wheat flour using extra water if required. The radish juice and the water should measure up to approximately 3/4 th to 1 cup to get the dough of the right consistency. Allow the dough to rest for about 15 to 20 minutes.

In another bowl, assemble the drained radish along with all the spices, the coriander, ginger, ajwain, asafetida, turmeric and red chili powders and the green chili if using and mix well.

Divide the dough into 8 to 10 equal parts. Repeat the same for the radish filling as well. This way, you wont have excess dough or stuffing remaining.

Take one portion of the dough, make it into a round ball with your palms and with the help of a rolling pin, roll it out on a clean surface to a 3" to 4" circle. Place one portion of the prepared radish stuffing and wrap it by gathering the edges and sealing the top of the dough with the stuffing inside it.

Roll the stuffed ball of dough on the surface using flour while rolling it to prevent sticking of the dough into 6" to 8" circle.

Heat a tava or a griddle over medium heat and place the paratha on it. Add 1/2 tsp oil around the edges. After a minute or two, when golden brown spots appear beneath the surface, flip the parathas and cook with another 1/2 tsp oil until golden brown spots appear. You might have to do this 2 to 3 times.

Use butter or ghee over the parathas for extra taste.

You can also make these parathas using this method (the one pictured above).

Mint And Coriander Green Chutney

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh coriander or cilantro

1/2 cup mint or pudina leaves

4 tbsp slightly tart yogurt or juice of half a lime

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chaat masala

Method:

Blend all the ingredients for the chutney and grind to a smooth paste using a little water.