Recipe: Arbi Ka Paratha
Arbi Ka Paratha is a flatbread made from wheat flour, taro root and spices. Generally enjoyed as a breakfast option, cooked taro root can be added to the dough of the paratha or used as a stuffing. I like to add it to the dough. We love to have these hot parathas with some plain yogurt and pickle on the side.
What Is Arbi?
Arbi is the Hindi word for taro or colocasia root. It is a popular part of the Indian cuisine especially in the Northern parts. Taro root or arbi is highly nutritious, starchy, with a nutty sweetish taste. Must never be consumed raw, it is boiled, steamed, fried, mashed, etc. It contains double the amount of dietary fibre compared to potatoes. It is a rich source of potassium, Vitamins D, E, and magnesium.
Memories
While living in Kenya, I had not eaten anything made from taro roots except fried crisps (chips). Then during my stay in India got introduced to many different dishes made from arbi. It all started when my daughter had arbi ki sabji at her friend’s grandmother’s home. She couldn’t stop talking about the sabji. Got the recipe from her friend and made it at home. Became quite a popular dish, Arbi Fry especially during fasting days.
Present Time
I do miss arbi, but the good thing is that it is available in Indian Stores and some of the supermarkets in Montreal. The last time I got them from a store pretty near to my son’s home. I was so happy. Made some Arbi Fry and the rest I steamed, grated and froze it. Whenever I want to make the parathas, keep a bag out in the fridge overnight. Next day it has thawed and ready to be used.
Sharing Arbi Ka Paratha With The Group Bread Bakers
For the month of November, Karen who blogs at Karen’s Kitchen Stories suggested we use any root vegetable in our bake. Karen’s blog is a feast for the eyes. Beautifully executed right from the photography to her recipes. And her breads are the best, with a huge variety and each loaf or roll always perfect.
Last month I had baked with potatoes and didn’t want to use them again. Luckily, this group allows flatbreads, pancakes, muffins, quick breads, etc besides the yeast ones. This time round I decided to use arbi and make a flatbread recipe. This flatbread is not baked in the oven, but is cooked on a tawa or skillet.
Check Out How Members Of Bread Bakers Used Roots
- Beetroot Bread from Sara’s Tasty Buds
- Caramelized Onion Cheddar Breadfrom Hezzi-D’s Cooks and Books
- Caramelized Onion Gouda Casatiello from Hostess at Heart
- Carrot Spiced and Teff Bread from kidsandchic
- Colocasia Root (Taro Root) Flatbread from Mayuri’s Jikoni
- Garlic and Herb Wreath Bread from Herbivore Cucina
- Garlic Cheese Bombs from Sizzling Tastebuds
- Ginger Sweet Rolls from Passion Kneaded
- Korean Onion Breadfrom Gayathri’s Cook Spot
- Pull Apart Onion Bread from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Rustic Parsnip Bread from Food Lust People Love
- Sourdough Onion Pockets from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Stuffed Aloo Parathas from Sneha’s Recipes
- Sweet Potato Bread from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Redoing An Old Post
This recipe was first posted on 08/11/2016 and needs fresh pictures. So I decided to update the post for the group Sunday Funday where for this weekend I suggested the theme ” Cook With A Root Or Roots.”
Recipes With Root/Roots By Members Of Sunday Funday
Mildly Indian: Alu kangmet |Manipuri potato mash
Mayuri’s Jikoni : Arbi Ka Paratha
Cook With Renu: Beetroot Paneer Rice With Leftover Rice (Easy Lunchbox Recipe)
Food Lust People Love: Chantenay Carrot Ginger Soup
Sneha’s Recipe: Ginger Almond & Poppy Seed Vadi
A Messy Kitchen: Maple Miso Root Vegetable Medley
Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Parsnip and Leek Soup with Cumin and Mustard Seeds
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Roasted Beet Galette
Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking: Roasties
Making Miracles: Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients Required For Arbi Ka Paratha
Arbi
Arbi, Taro or Colocasia Roots. Wash them thoroughly before cooking them as the skin may sometimes be coated with some soil. Steam the roots, peel and grate or mash. I usually make extra and freeze the remaining.
Wheat Flour
Normal wheat flour that we use for making roti is the best. Also known as atta in Hindi.
Chickpea Flour
Add some besan, chana no lot, chickpea flour. It makes the parathas more crispy and also adds a bit of protein.
Salt
Add according to your taste.
Carom Seeds
Also known as ajmo, ajwain. Add some for flavour. Also helps with digestion and prevents bloating.
Cumin Seeds
Adds a grassy flavour to the parathas. Known as jeera or jiru.
Asafoetida
Adds a lovely garlic onion umami flavour. If you don’t like the smell or flavour of hing then omit it.
Red Chilli Powder
Turmeric Powder
Haldi, Hardar, add a bit to the dough.
Green Chillis
Can add sliced, chopped or minced. I prefer adding minced as I always have that ready in my freezer. Add green chillis according to your taste.
Fresh Ginger
Peeled and grated or minced.
Red Chilli Powder
Add according to your taste. If the green chillis are hot then omit adding red chilli powder.
Kasuri Methi
I have dried kasuri methi. Crush it between your palms before adding to the dough. Can replace it with chopped fresh coriander, fenugreek or spring onion. Whenever I get fresh fenugreek, I like adding some.
Oil
We need some oil for roasting the parathas. Also we need a bit to knead the dough with to make it smooth and non sticky.
Ghee
I like to smear the rolled parathas with some ghee. Adds a fabulous flavour. If you don’t like ghee and want to make them vegan, then replace it with oil.
Water
Best to mix all the ingredients except water. The amount of water will depend on the arbi or taro roots. Add the water little at a time to make a soft pliable dough.
ARBI KA PARATHA
Arbi Ka Paratha is a flatbread made from wheat flour, taro root and spices. Generally enjoyed as a breakfast option, cooked taro root can be added to the dough of the paratha or used as a stuffing. Enjoy them with some plain yogurt, pickles and masala tea.
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 2 cups arbi steamed and mashed or grated
- 1½ cup wholewheat flour
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ajwain
- ¼ tsp asafoetida
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ⅓-½ cup water
- 1-2 green chillis chopped finely or crushed
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp kasuri methi crushed
- oil for shallow frying
- 6 tsp ghee
- extra flour for dusting
Instructions
- Mix both flours, salt, asafoetida, carom seeds, turmeric, red chilli powders and cumin seeds in a big bowl.
- Add crushed kasuri methi.
- Add the mashed or grated arbi to the flour mixture.
- Mix everything together. The flour will be a bit wet.
- Add water little at a time and form a soft dough.
- Take about 1-2 tbsp oil on your palms and knead the dough till it becomes smooth.
- Cover and allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 parts. If it is very sticky, dust it with some flour.
- Roll each part into a ball.
- Heat a skillet or tawa over medium low heat.
- Dust one ball with flour and roll it into a 6" diameter circle.
- Smear some ghee over it. Sprinkle some flour, little not too much.
- Fold into half.
- Smear ghee and sprinkle flour over the folded half.
- Fold into a quarter.
- Dust with little flour and roll the quarter into a triangle shape about 6" from one point to the other.
- Place the rolled triangle on the hot skillet or tawa.
- Cook till small bubbles appear on the surface.
- Flip and cook the other side for 1 minute.
- Smear some oil over the paratha or flatbread and flip it over.
- Cook till brown specks appear on it.
- Smear oil on the top part of the paratha or flatbread and flip over.
- Cook till brown specks appear and its a bit crispy. So basically both sides should have brown specks on them.
- Serve immediately with pickle, yogurt and hot cup of masala tea or coffee.
- Repeat the above steps with the remaining dough.
Notes
- Replace the taro roots with potatoes, sweet potatoes, beetroots, carrots to make different sort of flatbreads.
- Adjust the amount of green and red chillis according to your taste.
- Boiled and mashed taro roots will appear sticky but once it is added to the flour it will not be so sticky.
- If the dough becomes too soft, add a bit more wholewheat flour.
- Can replace kasuri methi with fresh fenugreek or coriander.
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A Small Request
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
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