Serves: 14
Total Calories: 389
TO MAKE DOUGH IN A FOOD PROCESSOR:
1. Place all the dry ingredients in the work bowl of a food processor and process about 30 seconds to mix. With the motor running, add the oil and then the water in a thin stream, and process until the dough gathers into a ball.
2. Continue to process until the sides of the bowl look clean, 20 to 30 seconds. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more flour if the dough sticks to the sides of the work bowl, or some water if the dough seems hard.) Stop the machine, transfer the dough to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or the lid of the bowl, and let rest at least 1 and up to 4 hours. (This allows the wheat gluten to develop.) If keeping for a longer period, refrigerate the dough.
TO MAKE DOUGH BY HAND:
1. Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, mix together, add 3/4 of the water and mix again with your clean fingers in round circular motions until it starts to gather into a dough. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more flour if the dough seems sticky, or some more water if it seems to firm.)
2. Knead about a minute, pressing your knuckles lightly into the dough, spreading the dough outward, then gathering the ends together toward the center with your fingers. Push down the center and repeat pressing and gathering a few times until you have soft and pliable dough that does not stick to your fingers. (If, while kneading, the dough sticks to your hands, put a little oil or water on them.)
3. Cover with plastic wrap or the lid of the bowl and set aside at least 1 and up to 4 hours. (This allows the wheat gluten to develop.) If keeping for a longer period, refrigerate the dough.
TO SHAPE AND FRY THE POORIES:
1. Heat the frying oil in a wok or skillet over high heat until it reaches 350°F to 375°F on a frying thermometer, or until a little piece of the dough dropped into the hot oil bubbles and rises to the top immediately.
2. While the oil is heating, lightly oil your clean hands and divide the dough equally into 14 to 16 balls. Cover with foil to prevent drying, and set aside.
3. Working with each ball of dough separately, place in the bowl with the dry flour, flatten it with your fingertips and coat well with the dry flour. Transfer to a cutting board or any other clean flat surface and, with a rolling pin, roll into a thin 4- to 5-inch circle. (If the dough sticks to the surface, dust with more flour.)
4. Carefully place the rolled poori into the hot oil. Almost instantly the poori will rise to the top and start to puff up. With the back of a large slotted spatula, quickly press lightly on the puffed top surface, submerge the poori back into the oil, then release. This will guide the air toward the flatter portions and cause the poori to balloon into a complete round in about 10 to 15 seconds.
5. Turn the poori over once to cook the other side until golden. (Perfectly fried poories should be crisp and golden, not brown.) With a slotted spatula, remove to paper towels to drain and serve immediately.
From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This Deep-Fried Puffed Breads with Ajwain Seeds recipe is from the 1000 Indian Recipes Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
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