There are two things that the city of Amritsar is famous for all over the world; one, is the Golden Temple and then other are its melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly soft, yet flaky kulchas. This Indian bread is made of flour, salt, oil and warm water and has gained popularity all over the world.
Kulcha, which originated from the Indian state of Punjab, is commonly eaten as a during lunch or as a snack. The bread can be stored for up to four days at room temperature if kept in a sealed container and is often paired with dals and sabzis. It is one of the most versatile food options as it makes for a hearty meal with stuffed with spiced, mashed potato and served with yoghurt.
A delicious assortment of ingredients is what makes up the perfect kulcha recipe for making tasty Amritsari Kulcha. It starts with generously dousing your chosen flour with salt and oil before mixing it in a bowl along with any warming spices that you may wish to use like turmeric or cumin powder.
A homemade Amritsari Kulcha recipe is an ideal way to use the leftover wheat dough for something else other than making rotis or parathas.
Ingredients For Making Kulcha
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 4 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted (optional)
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
Nutritional Information on Kulcha
Kulcha is a wholesome food with protein and carbohydrates in it. It is also enriched with lots of essential nutrients and vitamins that are essential for providing energy to the brain and body. Kulcha is also beneficial to human health because it is a source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibres.
Making Dough For Kulcha
There are two ways to make dough for making Amritsari Kulcha. One way is to first mix the flour with salt, warm oil and any other spices that you may want to use before kneading the dough into a soft. The other way is by using a bread machine where you can make bread in about two-four minutes.
In either case, ensure that you knead the dough very well so it does not become too sticky by adding some more flour if needed. Kneading ensures the right consistency of the dough and becomes light and airy once it comes out of the oven.
Rolling and Making the Kulcha
Once the dough is ready, you need to divide it into small balls and roll each ball out until it's very thin. Cut each rolled-out ball into small circles to make about 6-8 Kulchas. Place the smaller-sized Kulcha on a flat surface and add a little butter, chopped onions and coriander leaves along with some salt and green chilli paste.
Cooking Your Amritsari Kulcha
After mixing the ingredients, knead into a soft dough. Let the dough rest for about 15-20 minutes. Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll them out into round balls. Sprinkle some flour onto a flat surface and roll out the balls with a rolling pin, working your way around in circles until you have a flat disc that is around 3-4 inches in diameter. Heat some oil in a pan until it starts to sizzle.
Heat a pan over medium heat. Place the Amritsari Kulcha on the hot surface and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes on both sides, flipping at regular intervals so one side is not cooked more than the other.
Place the kulcha discs on a grill and cook both sides until brown spots appear. Right before serving, spread butter on top of the kulcha and top it with your favourite ingredients like potato, cheese or even chocolate sauce.
Once the dough starts to puff up and brown, your Kulcha is ready to be eaten. Good food need not be time-consuming or difficult to make. With a little imagination and effort, you can whip up a delicious and nutritious Amritsari Kulcha that differentiates itself from the rest with its unique ingredients and taste.
Flavouring Options And Serving Suggestions
Serve with butter or plain yoghurt for a delicious breakfast. Try flavouring your Amritsari Kulcha with a homemade mix made from ground almonds and other warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
This combination gives the bread a sweet, spicy taste that takes your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. You can also top it with cheese, tomato sauce and other ingredients like potatoes, sausages and many others.
Try making savoury Amritsari Kulcha for breakfast. This allows you to add ingredients like minced meat, shredded cheese, onions or even chocolate sauce for a sweet and savoury treat. To make this bread completely vegetarian though, make sure you are using oil that is extracted from peanuts or sesame seeds because these oils do not contain animal fats.
Conclusion
The process to make crispy, yet soft kulcha is beginner-friendly. If you are passionate about making restuarant-style food at home, you have to try this recipe!
FAQs
Where does kulcha originate from?
Kulcha is an amazing dish that has its origins in India.
Is kulcha easy to make at home?
Kulcha is very easy to make at home, all you'll need are the ingredients and follow the recipes.