Achari Aloo Paratha

Achari Aloo Paratha is a spicy and flavorful twist to the regular aloo paratha. It is basically a delicious whole wheat flour flatbread that is stuffed with pickle-flavored boiled potato filling. Achari aloo paratha serves as a filling breakfast or lunch with curd, any raita or dal of your choice. It makes a good travel food and goes well in the lunch box as well. I have used the pickle masala from my homemade mango pickle to flavor this paratha. This achari aloo paratha is vegan and onion-garlic free and serves as one of the best options when you run short of fresh fruits and veggies and yet want to make something delicious and filling.

Aloo paratha is a loved breakfast in my family, especially during winters. Hot parathas stuffed with spicy potato filling laced with a generous amount of homemade ghee or butter with some sweetened curd or raita is a bliss! Adding achari flavors to it makes it all the more lip-smacking. Even my little one likes to take this flavorful paratha in his lunch box. We are not a big fan of spicy food but once in a while, such food is welcome which is a treat to the taste buds.

The best part is that this paratha requires minimal and basic ingredients that are almost always present in any kitchen pantry. In fact, when I am short of fresh fruits and veggies, the first thing that comes to my mind is to make this aloo paratha. Apart from it, different varieties of idlis, chillas, and crepes using dried pulses and rice can be made. I also keep different sprouted beans and soaked chickpeas handy which can be used as stir-fries and curries at such time. Apart from this Punjabi kadhi pakora and rajma masala are my family's favorite meal options. In this platter below, i have served achari aloo paratha with Boondi Raita, Rajma Pulao and homemade spicy raw mango pickle, this entire spread is filling and nutritious and does not require fresh vegetable or fruit.

                            

With this thought in mind, Renu who blogs at Cookwithrenu suggested Khaali Fridge as the #217th theme for this week on Foodie Monday Blog Hop. Renu wanted us to cook a filling dish that we can make using rice, dried pulses, and legumes or the ingredients which do not require fresh fruits and veggies. Many times, when we are back home from vacations or have unexpected guests or due to some reasons we are unable to stock our fridge with veggies and fruits, we become clueless as to what to cook which is healthy, delicious and filling. Through this thoughtful theme, Renu wanted us to share some healthy meal ideas with our readers that could be cooked even when our fridge is not stocked up. Meanwhile, do check out Renu's space for some very healthy food recipes from around the globe. I like her delicious and nutritious bakes and diabetic-friendly dishes as well.

                                               

For more dishes with achari (pickled) flavors, click on the following recipe links from this blog. Achari Bhindi, Achari Aloo, Achari Baingan. So without any further ado, let's get started with making delicious achari aloo paratha.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients for the outer covering of paratha:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon carom seeds/ajwain (optional)

Ingredients for the stuffing:

• 1 cup grated boiled potatoes (around 2 large potatoes)
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon pickle masala ( use masala from any pickle of your choice)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. To begin with, boil 2 large potatoes using a pressure cooker. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, take whole wheat flour. Add oil, carom seeds ( if using) and salt to taste. Mix well. Now add little water at a time and knead the flour into a soft dough. Apply little oil on the dough and keep it covered for 10 minutes.

2. Grate the boiled potato in another bowl. add crushed fennel seeds, mint leaves, turmeric powder, chili powder, pickle masala and salt to taste. Mix everything well. Our stuffing for paratha is ready.

3. Now divide the dough and the potato stuffing into equal parts. Take one dough portion and roll it into a small disc using a rolling pin. Keep one portion of achari potato stuffing over it and gather all the edges of the disc and seal it in the center.

4. Sprinkle little whole wheat flour over the working surface. Keep the sealed side downwards and gently roll out the stuffed dough ball into a round-shaped paratha. You can keep the paratha thick or thin as per your preference. I have kept it a bit on the thinner side as my family likes it that way.

5. Now gently place the rolled out paratha on to a heated tawa or skillet and roast on medium flame until you get nice golden brown spots on the paratha. Flip it and cook on the other side as well.

6. Our delicious achari aloo paratha is ready. Make the remaining paratha similarly. You may apply ghee or butter on the cooked paratha or while roasting it to make it rich and all the more delectable.

 7. Serve the achari aloo paratha hot with some curd or raita of your choice. I have served it with boondi raita, rajma pulao,  and spicy raw mango pickle.

Recipe Notes:

• You may use any homemade or store-bought pickle masala to flavor the stuffing.
• You can make this paratha without stuffing also. Just add the spice powders, herbs and pickle masala to the whole wheat flour before kneading it into a dough.
• Potato can be replaced in this paratha stuffing or mixed with boiled sweet potato, carrots, green peas or beetroots as a variation.
• You can adjust the amount of red chili powder as per your spice tolerance.

If you ever try this recipe, do share your feedback with us in the comment section below. Follow us on #Facebook, #Instagram, #Twitter, #Pinterest and #Google+ for more recipes and new updates. 

Related Posts:

• Amritsari Aloo Kulcha

                                

• Pesarattu/ Mung bean dosa

                                

• Leftover Dal Paratha

                                

• Adai Dosa

                                

• Thalipeeth - Multigrain pancake

                                

• Besan Dhirde

                                 

• Sindhi Dal Pakwan

                                 

• Multigrain Achari Buns