Bhatura facts for kids
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| Place of origin | Uttar Pradesh |
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| Region or state | Northern regions of the Indian subcontinent |
| Associated national cuisine | India, Bangladesh, Pakistan |
| Main ingredients | Maida, dahi (yogurt), ghee or oil, yeast |
| Variations | Puri, Luchi |
Bhatoora is a yummy, fluffy bread from the Indian subcontinent. It's deep-fried until it puffs up! You might also hear it called batoora or bhatura. This special bread is made with a dough that rises, much like sourdough.
People in northern and eastern India often eat Bhatoora for breakfast or lunch. It's super popular when served with a tasty chickpea curry called chole. Together, they make a famous dish known as chole bhature, which first came from a region called Punjab. Bhatoora is similar to another bread called puri, but Bhatoora's dough is made to rise, making it extra soft and airy.
Contents
How to Make Bhatoora
Making Bhatoora involves a few simple steps. It's a fun process to watch!
What You Need
The main ingredients for Bhatoora are all-purpose flour (called maida), yogurt (or dahi), and ghee (a type of clarified butter) or cooking oil. To help the dough rise and become fluffy, bakers add either yeast or baking powder.
Mixing and Frying
First, all the ingredients are mixed together and kneaded very well. This makes a smooth, soft dough. The dough is then left alone for a while to rise. This rising time is important because it makes the bread light and airy.
After the dough has risen, small pieces are taken. These pieces are either rolled flat with a rolling pin or flattened by hand. Finally, these flat pieces of dough are carefully placed into hot oil for deep frying. They quickly puff up into beautiful, golden-brown breads. When cooked, Bhatoora is soft, fluffy, and a little bit chewy.
How to Enjoy Bhatoora
Bhatoora is often eaten with different side dishes. You can enjoy it with yogurt, a tangy pickle, or various cooked vegetables. But the most famous way to eat it is with chole, the chickpea curry. This combination, chole bhature, is a beloved traditional meal.
Different Kinds of Bhatoora
There are a few exciting variations of Bhatoora. Sometimes, instead of all-purpose flour, people use semolina flour to make it.
Special Fillings
Some Bhatoora variations come with delicious fillings inside!
- Aloo Bhatoora: This version has a yummy potato filling. Aloo means potato.
- Paneer Bhatoora: This one is filled with paneer, which is a type of fresh cheese popular in India.
Kulcha: A Non-Fried Option
There's also a bread similar to Bhatoora called kulcha. The main difference is that kulcha is not deep-fried. Instead, it can be baked in an oven or cooked on a flat pan. It's often topped with fresh coriander leaves for extra flavor.
