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The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz: Keema Matar and Plain Parathas

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Keema Matar and Plain Parathas

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There have been a lot of wonderful Indian cuisine blogs and I've been having fun reading them and saving many of the recipes that catch my eye. After my two successful meals (see here and here), I continued my next cooking adventure by preparing Keema Matar (Ground Meat with Peas) served with plain parathas. I got this recipe from Meena. By the way, she recently posted all the results of her fun "From My Rasoi" event. The listing of Indian cuisine meals is mouthwatering. Check it out!

Back to my meal: I liked the idea of the ground meat and peas. I'd never had parathas before but they looked easy to make, so I decided to make them to serve with the keema matar as the recipe suggested.

Making the keema matar went well. I had all the ingredients in the kitchen and they blended well together: Ground chicken, onions, tomatoes, mixed with spices -- green chilies, cumin seeds, green cardamoms,cinnamon stick, bay leaves, black peppercorns, whole cloves, red chili powder, cumin powder,garam masala, salt and fresh chopped coriander leaves to garnish them meal.

After I prepared the ground beef, I turned my attention to the parathas. The ingredients and directions were very simple -- whole wheat, salt, mixed with water and fried in oil.

My only problem with the parathas were that they came out kind of thick. While I'd never tasted parathas before, I had a feeling that they weren't supposed to be that thick. I believe I didn't roll the dough thin enough. Can anyone tell me what I may have done wrong?

Despite its thickness, the parathas were still edible and went well with the keema matar. It's another meal to try again.

Here are the recipes for the Keema Matar and Plain Parathas. Thanks, Meena!

Paz


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Ground Chicken which is prepared first and then set aside


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Ground chicken mixed with the vegetables and spices

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Parathas dough

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Preparing the parathas in the pan

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The end parathas products


20 Comments:

Blogger Meena said...

Hey my dearest Paz!!!

I must say, you are one of my biggest fans!!hehe

Your meal looks so good and authentic, its making me drool!

You are right, the parathas should not be that think. all you have to do is keep rolling them bigger and little thinner - at least 1/2 cm thick, thats all! No worries! They look just so good!:o)

When am I invited for dinner?

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 5:01:00 PM  
Blogger darlamay said...

the parathas look sooo good! I've never had one either, are they sort of like pita bread?

Happy New Year to you too!

Darla

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 6:08:00 PM  
Blogger Fran said...

I don't know about these dishes but the look delicious.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 9:11:00 PM  
Blogger Priya Bhaskaran said...

Hey paz, your parathas looks so cute. I can devour 4 to 5 of yours.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 10:20:00 PM  
Blogger Michele said...

Looks delicious!

Thursday, January 05, 2006 1:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Lera said...

I do have a tip for you, paz,knead the dough with a tbsp of oil, to get a flexible dough which is easier to roll out into an evenly thin parathas.

Thursday, January 05, 2006 8:48:00 AM  
Blogger mg said...

Hello! Happy New Year Chef Paz!

This looks lovely. I like minced meats with peas too - they're great combination.

Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Raquel's Box of Chocolate said...

Paz
Looks great! I love that you try so many new things, I really like to read about your adventures.
Since my hubby doesn't like Indian food, I'll keep this one for a night when I only have to cook for myself :)

-Raquel

Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Rorie said...

Your parathas look absolutely scrumptious! I want one!

Thursday, January 05, 2006 11:45:00 AM  
Anonymous angelika said...

Like Meena, may I ask if I am also on your guest list for your next dinner invitation ? :-))) Paz, you are getting a true expert in Indian cooking. Something I have not managed yet. Congratulations ! Beijos, angelika

Thursday, January 05, 2006 4:14:00 PM  
Blogger Mona said...

Paz, I don't know what parathas are or how to pronounce them but from the look of that there dough, I think I'd LOVE THEM!!! Please donate to my brown bag lunch fund? Ha:)

Thursday, January 05, 2006 4:29:00 PM  
Blogger Cindy said...

Hi, I don't know what parathas are eiher but they sure look good.

Friday, January 06, 2006 5:46:00 AM  
Blogger Gia-Gina said...

There is a lack of ethnic food in Torino and mostly I miss Asian foods and Mexican. I will have to just make my own.

Friday, January 06, 2006 7:14:00 AM  
Blogger Paz said...

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your kind comments about my very thick parathas. ;-)))

Meena and Lera: Thanks for the tip on getting them thinner. I will practice.

DarlaMae: I would imagine that they are just like pita bread. Good description.

Raquel: I too have family members who sometimes don't like certain foods that I cook. I do the same as you.

LOL! Angelika, Meena, everyone: You are all invited for dinner! ;-)))

Mona: LOL! Gurl, you are too funny. Okay, I'll work on my parathas and make a special brown bag for you. ;-)

Gia: I think it's more fun to make your own. ;-)

Best wishes you all,
Paz

Friday, January 06, 2006 8:22:00 PM  
Blogger sailu said...

Paz,I am impressed.For a first attempt at parathas,you did great.Practice makes one perfect....:)

Saturday, January 07, 2006 3:55:00 AM  
Blogger Paz said...

Thanks, Sailu! Yes, practice makes perfect!

Best,
Paz

Saturday, January 07, 2006 6:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Paz,

As as another non-Indian making paranthas, I think I may have the secret for you. Over the years, I've become much better at making them, and was feeling pretty smug. Until the last time, when I was in a hurry, and didn't knead the dough enough. Sure enough, after the rest period, when I tried to roll them out, they were thick and stiff and just like my less successful first attempts. It had never really occurred me to that the kneading had anything to do with it, as a non-yeast dough. But it does. You have to have your dough ball just the right consistency: stretched and shiny, and it should seem just a little bit too wet, but you should be able to handle it with your bare hands without much sticking.

I realize my advice is pretty vague, but I hope it helps. With parathas, practice does make perfect. And then you get to start on the delicious fillings.

Monday, January 09, 2006 5:17:00 PM  
Blogger Paz said...

Ahhh! Thanks, Annonymous. Makes a lot of sense. Not vague at all. I'll keep practicing.

Best,
Paz

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 12:26:00 AM  
Anonymous jyoti said...

Hi Paz,

Came here thru Meena's blog. Must say im impressed! Your paratha's look absolutely amazing for a first timer.Mine was a total disaster,the key though is kneeding. It makes the dough soft and easier to roll. Just make sure that the size of the dough ball is not too big..could be the size of a golf ball.

Happy Cooking!
Jyoti

Monday, January 30, 2006 5:47:00 AM  
Blogger Paz said...

HI Jyoti: Welcome and thanks for your very kind words about my parathas. Thanks also for your tip. I'll be sure to follow it.

I'll be blogging about my paratha experience again.

Best,
Paz

Monday, January 30, 2006 2:18:00 PM  

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