Aloo paratha or Alu paratha is one of the favourite north Indian breakfasts. It is a kind of unleavened flat stuffed bread. The stuffing is a spiced potato mixture. Aloo is one of the most common ingredients in India. Paratha comes from the word parat meaning layers and atta meaning flour. It can be either round, triangular or square. The texture varies from soft to crispy.

History

Aloo paratha originated in north India and then spread all over the Indian subcontinent.

Ingredients and Preparation

The ingredients for the dough are either refined flour or whole wheat flour, salt, oil and water. A soft pliable dough is made by kneading well.

The stuffing is made of boiled mashed potato, chopped chillies, salt, cumin, coriander  and sometimes onion as well.

Small balls of the dough and stuffing are made. Stuffing is placed in the centre of the dough and dusted in dry flour and rolled into a flat bread. The parathas are cooked on a  hot griddle, traditionally called the tava, on medium heat with little oil or butter. They can also be cooked in a tandoor.

Variable stuffing combinations can be used. E.x. aloo - pyaz (potato - onion ), aloo - gobi(potato - cauliflower), aloo - muter(potato - green pea)

Serving

Aloo Paratha is served with curd, chutney, pickles and onion. They are often topped with homemade butter called ‘makhan’.

It is eaten as breakfast in Punjab, Delhi and Haryana. It is also eaten as a meal or snack in some places. It is eaten with tea and also lassi.

Many restaurants serve Aloo paratha with choley, dal makhani and raita.

Similar Dishes

• Norweigan flatbread, Lefse is similar to aloo paratha.

Health and Nutrition Facts

Serving size – 1 medium sized paratha

Calories – 215 cal, Fat – 6 g, Carbohydrates – 35 g, Dietary fiber – 6 g, Protein – 6 g

• Whole wheat flour should be used to make aloo parathas instead of refined flour as whole wheat adds to the dietary fiber intake in the body.
• Fat in the dough can be avoided completely to reduce the fat content.
• Paratha made in the tandoor is healthier than the one made on tava  as no oil is used in the tandoor.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Half cooked and frozen aloo parathas are very common in United States. They are sold under various brands like Deep foods, Kavan Foods, Vimal, etc.
• Hot parathas are served in Dhabas (small street restaurants) in India.

Trivia

• It is against Jainism to eat potatoes or any other roots and tubers.