Kulcha is a popular North Indian flatbread that's often enjoyed with various curries and side dishes. It's soft, fluffy, and slightly crispy on the outside. A step-by-step guide on how to make kulcha at home:
Ingredients:
For the Kulcha Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1/2 cup yogurt (curd)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
For the Kulcha Topping:
- Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
- Finely chopped garlic cloves (optional)
- Nigella seeds (kalonji) or sesame seeds (til)
For Cooking:
- Oil or ghee for cooking
1. Prepare the Kulcha Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
2. Knead the Dough:
- Add yogurt, milk, and oil (or ghee) to the dry ingredients. Mix them to form a rough dough.
3. Rest the Dough:
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 2 hours. This resting period allows the dough to ferment and become soft and fluffy.
4. Divide the Dough:
- After the resting period, divide the dough into equal-sized portions, forming them into smooth balls.
5. Roll Out the Kulchas:
- Take one dough ball and flatten it slightly with your hands.
- Using a rolling pin, roll it out into an oval or round shape. You can make them as thick or thin as you prefer, but a thickness of about 1/4 inch works well.
6. Add Toppings:
- Optionally, you can sprinkle finely chopped garlic cloves, fresh coriander leaves, and nigella seeds (kalonji) or sesame seeds (til) on top of the rolled-out kulcha.
7. Cook the Kulchas:
- Heat a tava (griddle) or a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Place the rolled kulcha onto the hot griddle. Cook one side until it starts to puff up and gets golden brown spots.
- Flip the kulcha and cook the other side in the same way. You can apply a little oil or ghee on both sides for a crispier texture.
8. Serve:
- Remove the kulcha from the griddle and serve hot with your favorite curry or side dish.
Enjoy your homemade kulchas, which are deliciously soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside!