Batura/ Puffed bread

So it all started with planning a potluck party! Parinaaz, one of my very good friends (actually my husband's college friend's wife) volunteered to make Chole (chickpea curry) and I was to make Baturas (deep fried puffed bread to go with chickpea curry).

Baturas, puris, rotis or any variety of Indian bread has to be cooked just before you sit for lunch and dinner. I do not prefer making them ahead of time. ;)

We were two families (Parinaaz and mine) going to meet for lunch at around 12:30 pm and Muffadal and Mariana were going to drop by at around 2:00 pm for some tea and sev puri (Indian chat). In stead, Parinaaz and family with her Yummy Chole turn up at 1:55 pm and Muffadal and Mariana come early at 1:45 pm. So finally we all had a late lunch :) But as per the Hindi saying 'सब्र  का फल मीठा होता है ' it indeed was a fun afternoon and evening.  Great friends and food!

Of course it was a casual get together, but I love to use candles and some fun glassware!

Table ready with appetizers awaiting for guests to arrive :)

Guess what I made for appetizers :)

At 12:00 pm I prepared the dough for baturas (3 times the ratio given below)

Here is the ratio to make 6 medium size baturas.

1 cup of all purpose flour/ maida

1 tbsp semolina/ rava

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. oil

Salt to taste

Mix the ingredients well in a big bowl. Make a stiff dough using little less than 1/2 cup water. Knead well for 10 minutes to make it soft and pliable. Kneading incorporates air in the dough stretching gluten in the flour and making it light and fluffy. Cover the dough with wet towel and rest it for an hour.

At 2:00 pm We started heating Chole and Biryani. I started rolling out the Baturas, while Parinaaz would fry them. Shu, Muffadal and Cherag were sitting and talking while we were busy at work.

That's not fair! :)

So here we call the men and hand them the rolling pins (luckily I had 3 rolling pins/ belans at home) and a ball of dough to roll out the Baturas.

We were surprised! They did such a great job!

I don't know how good engineers they are, but looks like their university taught them to cook well or at least to be good husbands!

Good job Cherag, Muffadal and Shu! I am sure your parents would also be proud of you :)

Shu trying to flatten his tummy so that only Batura looks puffed! :)

Great tasting soft, flaky Batura!

After a wonderful lunch of Chole and Batura with appetizers and rice and some yummy pies for dessert it was time to sit back, relax and watch a bollywood movie.

At 7:00 pm we finally made some spicy and sweet Sev Puri with a cup of Chai!

What a great beginning of the winter break!

Have a great vacation and will see you soon :)

This was the one I had made earlier :)