Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Indian flat breads : aloo kulcha, sourdough or yeast flat bread stuffed with potatoes


Aloo kulcha or alu kulcha, a baked flatbread stuffed with potatoes that can become a favourite if made well. The recipe is easy to follow and that makes it even better.

This is the third post in the Indian flat breads series. There will be more flat breads in the future but these three were prepared in the last two weeks or so and are being posted in one go. This aloo kulcha is the most favorite kind of flat bread here, along with the paneer kulcha. Needless to say this is the most repeated type of kulcha here in my home .

alu kulcha recipe

The dough ingredients and procedure is same as the whole wheat kulcha. The stuffing is made with boiled potatoes, finely diced onions, chopped green chillies to taste, chopped green coriander leaves (or methi leaves sometimes) and salt n pepper to taste.

alu kulcha recipe

Stuff the potato mixture into the dough balls, it's better if you can fill large amount of stuffing into the kulcha as it comes out more flavorful. The amount of stuffing should be a bit more than the size of the dough ball. It's not difficult if you take care that the stuffing consistency is similar to the dough consistency, it is stuffed with ease and then it is flattened with ease too ... with the help of your wet fingers of course.

Bits of stuffing peeping through the dough layer looks good and tastes good too. Spread the flattened kulcha on the hot griddle in one quick motion .

alu kulcha recipe

And wait till one side is browned and the kulcha comes out of the griddle easily. It can be baked over naked flame like the plain kulcha but if it is too heavy due to the stuffing it falls down in the process. So using a wire mesh is convenient....

alu kulcha recipe

Repeat with the kulchas asI know you would want to make many of them.

alu kulcha recipe

This particular kulcha is great even when cold and may be a great tiffin box option with suitable side dishes. I make empanadas (baked in the oven) with the same dough and stuffing and that is great for kids tiffin box, easy to hold and eat while talking to friends.

alu kulcha recipe

I served it with methi matar malai, a creamy curry with fenugreek leaves and fresh peas. The husband loves to dip the aloo kulchas in fresh creamy curds of fresh malai and he wants a bowl of malai (preferably) of dahi along with it.

alu kulcha recipe

See how the kulcha is crisp on the outside and soft and spongy inside...

alu kulcha recipe

I like big chunks of potatoes and not too fine onion , you can keep the potatoes finely mashed or whatever way you like. The recipe just needs to illustrate the process of baking these kulchas over gas flame basically .... the stuffing can be varied and adjusted to taste .. 

These tips and tricks to make great kulcha or naan will be handy whenever you start to make these alu kulchas. Do let me know if you try this recipe.

Enjoy...


19 comments:

  1. Omg, wat a fabulous looking kulchas and naans, absolutely tempting..

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow...tempting aloo kulcha...droolworthy !

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely and tasty.What is the diference between aloo paratha nad aloo kulcha??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loving your recipes on indian flat breads, great job !!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have shared 3 awards with you on my blog. Please accept those :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am completely blown away by these amazing kulcha display. I had never dared to make these at home but your post has given me some confidence and I am ready to take the challange:)
    Good one Sangeeta!!! This one is bookmarked:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you ladies for all the sweet comments.

    @ simply food ... the aloo paratha is made with a fresh dough and is a pan fried stuffed flat bread , while this aloo kulcha uses yeasted dough and is tandoor roasted traditionally , here i bake it on gas flame.

    @ Priya Y. Thanks for all those wonderful awards .

    @ Mrs. K. these breads are very easy , do try and let me know how it worked for you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have never tried making kulchas at home...this whole wheat and stuffed version is really a good idea for kids tiffin... I have a feeling that this too is going to be super hit in my home

    ReplyDelete
  9. Stunning deary.... Loved all the prep in this series.... They are all brilliant.... Ek Se Badkar Ek! I am just left drooling over these captures.... wanting a bite right away :(

    Ash....
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

    ReplyDelete
  10. i tried the stuff potatoes once, but didnt come out well. yours looks great with that gravy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @ Devasena ... try following the instructions here , the same kind of stuffing and patting with fingers to flatten the kulcha ... it should work fine . Although it is a matter of practice too , to make a perfect looking kulcha or any kind of flat bread for that matter.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely recipe,very new to me,love the step wise pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love alu kulcha, Sangeeta. Just the other day we are at an Indian place and I ordered it. Love your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Sangeeta
    I like this one. Will try soon when I am in no mood to eat rice. I will prefer to eat with Dahi..

    ReplyDelete
  15. वाह! क्या बात है !इसे बनाने की आसान सी विधि दी आप ने..शुक्रिया

    ReplyDelete
  16. They look perfect gal..Actually I was searching for a fool-proof recipe for kulcha and you just posted it!! :)Thx for sharing.

    ReplyDelete