Last Updated on April 21, 2022 by
In most other parts of India, fritters are usually coated with chickpea flour or cornflour for frying. Since there are many Vegetarians in India who do not consume eggs, the classic Western coating of eggs and breadcrumbs is not as often utilized.
The Southern parts of India that does not share borders with other countries was introduced to breads and eggs much later. However, this is not the case in the North. Northern Indian states share borders with Tibet, Nepal, China and Pakistan. Also, because of its proximity to Russia, yeast leavened breads were more commonly eaten here before being introduced to other parts of India, especially in Kashmir. North Indian cuisine was influenced much earlier by these neighboring nations.
My first recipe I attempted for this state was a recipe of Dal Stuffed Potato Pakora (Indian fritters) coated with eggs and breadcrumbs, however, it was a bad recipe and they just fell apart when I fried them. Even though Vaishali was kind enough to re-write the recipe for me when she heard of my disastrous results during one of our group daily whatsapp conversations, I had gone off of the recipe. I really tried to gear up to re-do the recipe, since she had gone to all that work for me. However, I just couldn’t bring myself to try that recipe again. I hope she’ll forgive me for instead attempting this simpler recipe.
Formerly known as Uttaranchal, Uttarakhand is a state located in Northern India that shares International borders with Tibet and Nepal and Indian borders with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It was formed in 2000 out of the mountainous northern regions of Uttar Pradesh. Located in the Himalayan mountain range, Uttaranchal is a very beautiful part of India that includes forests and many green pastures and valleys with the mountains as a backdrop.
Uttarakhand – Wikipedia |
Their cuisine is grain based and largely Vegetarian. Unlike the rest of India, tomatoes and milk based products are rarely utilized.
It is one of the holiest states of India, often referred to as “Land of the Gods” with many Hindu temples and the Holy Ganges River running through it. It is the only state of India where the ancient language of Sanskrit is still one of its official languages. Most natives of the state belong to one of two of India’s ethnic minorities, the Garhwal’s or the Kumaon’s.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups millet flour
- 1 cup chappati flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups warm water
In a large bowl, combine flours and salt. Add water a little at a time, until you have a soft and kneadable dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
Divide the dough into 24 equal sized pieces and roll into balls.
Heat a skillet/tawa/griddle. Brush the griddle with a little ghee.
On a very well floured board, place one ball. Flatten into a disc and dust the top well with flour. With a floured rolling pin, roll into a circle, about 5″ in diameter.
With the help of a spatula if necessary, transfer to the heated skillet and cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes until brown spots start to appear. Flip over and do the same for the opposite side. Brush the top side with ghee and remove from skillet.
Repeat until all the dough has been cooked.
Notes:Â
- Ragi flour, which is usually used to make this roti known as mandua in the language of Uttarakhand is made from finger millet. American millet flour is made from pearl millet, known as Bajra in Indian markets. I used this bajra flour to make these.
- Due to the nature of millet flour, the dough will have a texture similar to clay.
- As you are rolling the dough, if it breaks, simply press the dough together and dust flour on top. Continue to roll.
- Make sure the board, your rolling pin and the top of the roti is well floured when rolling.
Â
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 chiles
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
In a dry skillet, roast sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant.
Using a coffee/spice grinder, grind sesame seeds with garlic, chiles, sugar and salt.
Process with the cilantro and yogurt in a good processor until smooth.
This combination made such a delicious breakfast.
The roti really isn’t anything too special but when paired with this delicious chutney, it’s healthy and delicious and will be hard to stop munching.
Bajra Ki Roti & Sesame Seed Chutney
Ingredients
Mandua Bread (Bajra ki Roti)/ Millet Flatbread
- 3 cups millet flour
- 1 cup chappati flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions
To make the Mandua Bread (Bajra ki Roti)
- In a large bowl, combine flours and salt. Add water a little at a time, until you have a soft and kneadable dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 24 equal sized pieces and roll into balls.
- Heat a skillet/tawa/griddle. Brush the griddle with a little ghee.
- On a very well floured board, place one ball. Flatten into a disc and dust the top well with flour. With a floured rolling pin, roll into a circle, about 5″ in diameter.
- With the help of a spatula if necessary, transfer to the heated skillet and cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes until brown spots start to appear. Flip over and do the same for the opposite side. Brush the top side with ghee and remove from skillet.
- Repeat until all the dough has been cooked.
To make the Til Ki Chutney/ Sesame Seed Chutney
- In a dry skillet, roast sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant.
- Using a coffee/spice grinder, grind sesame seeds with garlic, chiles, sugar and salt.
- Process with the cilantro and yogurt in a good processor until smooth
Notes
Due to the nature of millet flour, the dough will have a texture similar to clay.
As you are rolling the dough, if it breaks, simply press the dough together and dust flour on top. Continue to roll.
Make sure the board, your rolling pin and the top of the roti is well floured when rolling
Varadas Kitchen
Bhajra rotis are one of the harder ones to roll out. You have done a great job! The rotis looks really good. The chutney recipe is interesting and new to me. Nice color.
vaishali sabnani
I love that sesame chutney and will try and make a small bowl today itself..the combination of roti n chutney sounds real good.
Nivedhanams Sowmya
so yummy Mir!!! sad that the other recipe did not come great, but the combo of roti and chutney is looking awesome..
Priya Suresh
I know its really hard to get prefect rotis with bajra flour,yours looks fabulous and with that flavorful chutney, i can have happily some rotis now.
Kalyani
Amazing efforts thru the BM Mir ! Salute ur efforts and fastidious nature to put up a winner each day .. Am slowly savouring the combo of that roti and chutney – bookmarking to try out soon ! Kudos lady !
Srivalli
Mir, you have got both the rotis and chutney so well done!..I remember that conv we had..I am sure you will be able to nail it…:)..
Harini-Jaya R
Awesome job. You seem to have conquered the fear of rotis rolling. The chutney sounds very tempting.
Pavani N
Those rotis look so perfect Mir and they must have tasted great with the sesame chutney.
Jayanthi Padmanabhan
yummy breakfast combo. hearty and filling too i am sure
Nalini's Kitchen
These rotis are perfect and the chutney is so tempting…
Sapana Behl
I would love to finish that chutney with Bajra roti even I had my breakfast now ….lovely!
Usha Rao
I had this chutney listed for this state and wanted to pair it with another dish from another state. I could not make the chutney on the day I prepared that other dish and just this chutney for the state sound to easy. I made aloo ki gutke instead. Anyway, chutney looks good and must have gone well with the roti. I am sorry your first recipe did not work out.
Padmajha PJ
I love this chutney and prepare it a little different. Good job with the bajra roti ,Mir 🙂
Manjula Bharath
wow very well made bajra ki roti and very delicious chutney to accompany 🙂
Archana Potdar
Wow Mir the rotis and chutney are awesome. You have made them so deliciously.
arun saini
Roti and Chutney nice taste …