Palak Paratha Recipe
Introduction
Palak Paratha is a nutritious and flavorful Indian flatbread made with fresh spinach and aromatic spices. It’s a delicious way to enjoy greens and perfect for any meal of the day. This mildly spiced paratha is simple to make and pairs wonderfully with yogurt or dal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 3/4 cup palak greens (spinach), chopped
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain seeds (omam)
- 1 green chilli
- 1 teaspoon oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat oil in a pan and add jeera, ajwain seeds, and green chilli. Allow them to crackle and release their aroma. Then add the chopped palak greens and sauté until they shrink in volume.
- Step 2: Once the greens have cooked down, switch off the heat and stir in the coriander leaves. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then grind it into a smooth paste.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, spinach paste, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Add water gradually and knead to form a soft dough.
- Step 4: Divide the dough into lemon-sized balls. On a floured surface, flatten one ball and roll it out gently into a thin paratha.
- Step 5: Heat a tawa or skillet over medium heat. Place the rolled paratha on it, drizzle a little oil, and cook until brown spots appear. Flip and cook the other side similarly. Serve hot with raita, dal, or butter.
Tips & Variations
- For a softer paratha, add a little yogurt while kneading the dough.
- You can substitute spinach with other greens like methi (fenugreek) or kale for different flavors.
- Adjust green chilli quantity to control the heat level, making it suitable for kids by reducing or omitting it.
- Serve with homemade white butter for a rich taste.
Storage
Store any leftover palak parathas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on a skillet over medium heat to retain crispness before serving. Parathas are best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen wrapped individually for up to one month.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water before using it to avoid a soggy dough.
How can I make these parathas vegan?
This recipe is naturally vegan since it uses oil instead of butter or ghee. Just ensure your sides, like raita, are also vegan or opt for vegan dips instead.
Print
Palak Paratha Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 medium-sized parathas 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Palak Paratha is a flavorful Indian flatbread made with whole wheat flour and fresh spinach blended into the dough, seasoned with aromatic spices like garam masala, turmeric, jeera, and ajwain. This mildly spiced, nutrient-rich paratha is perfect as a wholesome breakfast or light meal and pairs well with raita, dal, or homemade butter.
Ingredients
To Temper
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain seeds (omam)
- 1 green chilli, chopped
Paratha Dough
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 3/4 cup palak greens (spinach), chopped
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed (for kneading)
Instructions
- Heat and temper spices: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add jeera, ajwain seeds, and chopped green chilli. Let them crackle and release their aroma for a few seconds.
- Sauté spinach: Add the chopped palak greens (spinach) to the pan, sautéing until they shrink and release moisture, about 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat, add chopped coriander leaves, and let the mixture cool.
- Prepare spinach paste: Once cooled, grind the spinach and coriander mixture into a fine paste using a blender or food processor.
- Make dough: In a mixing bowl, combine wheat flour, spinach paste, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Gradually add water little by little and knead into a soft and pliable dough. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape the parathas: Divide the dough into equal lemon-sized balls. Lightly flour your work surface, take one ball, and flatten it. Roll gently with a rolling pin into thin circles (parathas).
- Cook the parathas: Heat a dosa tawa or flat skillet over medium-high heat. Place a rolled paratha on the hot pan, drizzle a little oil around the edges, and cook until brown spots appear on the underside, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and cook the other side similarly until golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the palak parathas hot with raita, dal, or homemade white butter for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Ensure the spinach mixture is well-ground to create a smooth dough.
- Adjust water quantity carefully while kneading to avoid a sticky or dry dough.
- Apply oil sparingly during cooking to keep the paratha light but flavorful.
- You can make these mildly spicy or adjust green chilli as per taste, making it kid-friendly.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Palak Paratha, Spinach Flatbread, Indian Bread, Healthy Paratha, Vegetarian Indian Recipe
