Tomato Poori

Poori: one of the best deep-fried bread from India. It basically goes very well with any curry. In fact, it does nothing but enhances the flavors of anything it compliments with. Its downside is that it is deep fried yes! guilty pleasures of human taste buds. Now here I tried to have fun by adding healthy ingredients and played with the flavors. Recipe adapted from Maayeka site. Loved it the moment I saw it! Have been making these since past couple of years! Everyone loves it at home and I am sure you will too!

Poori is not cooked on an everyday basis (it is deep fried you see :)) in most of the households. It is considered as a special bread to be served on important occasions like festivals, birthdays, anniversaries etc. In my house, I tend to do that. Today on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, took an opportunity to make tomato pooris along with kala chana dry sabji.

The combination of tomato, mint, cumin is so appetizing and the poori's taste simply amazing. No cutting, chopping or sweating. It is a straight forward recipe and I am sure you will enjoy making it as much as I do.

Without any further delay, let me get to the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4th cup semolina (rava)
• 1 6oz tomato paste ( or 1 cup thick tomato sauce)
• 1 tbsp mint chopped 
• 1 tsp chili powder ( or less of you like less spicy)
• 1 cup water to knead (approx)
• 1 tsp cumin mildly crushed
• pinch carom seeds (ajwain - optional)
• pinch baking soda
• salt as per taste
• 1 tsp oil
• oil to fry

Preparation: 

• In a mixing bowl, add all the above ingredients and mix with a spoon first.
• Add water little by little and start kneading the dough. Make a semi-stiff dough. Rest it for 15 minutes by covering it.
• Now make small balls from the dough and lightly coat with oil (can use a drop or 2), roll into a 3-inch disc.
• In the meantime, heat oil in a frying pan, frying should be done on med-high flame. 
• Slide poori in the hot oil and gently press the poori from one side with a slotted spoon, it helps to puff up the poori. Turn over and fry for few more secs. Take it out and let it rest on a paper towel, let the excess oil be absorbed. Got to do everything we can to get that oil out :);)
• Serve hot with your favorite chutney or ketchup, kala channa, or any curry.

You may also like dry kala chana, ragi poori (finger millet), lachcha paratha, aloo bhaji, kala channa curry etc

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Health Benefits: The health benefits of tomatoes include improved eyesight, good stomach health, and reduced blood pressure, as well as relief from diabetes, skin problems and urinary tract infections. Furthermore, tomatoes can increase digestion, stimulate blood circulation, reduce cholesterol levels, improve fluid balance, protect the kidneys, detoxify the body, prevent premature aging, and reduce inflammation and related conditions. Tomatoes consist of a large number of antioxidants that have been proven to fight different forms of cancer. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.