Indian Bread With Courgettes Coriander Recipes

INDIAN BREAD WITH COURGETTES & CORIANDER

Steps:

• Dry fry the cumin seeds for 30-60 seconds in a non-stick pan, tossing constantly until toasted. Remove from heat.
• Wash the courgettes, then trim and grate them on the coarsest side of the grater (unpeeled) into a largish bowl. Tip in both the flours, the ginger, turmeric and coriander, add 1 tsp salt and stir well.
• Pour 11⁄2 tbsp of the oil into the flour mixture and rub it in, then gradually add 4-5 tbsp cold water until the mixture comes together to form a soft dough, a bit wetter than pastry. Tear or cut off 12 equal-sized pieces and shape into balls.
• Dust the work surface and rolling pin with a little extra flour and roll each piece into a thin 14cm round - don't worry if the edges are crinkly.
• Heat a large cast-iron griddle or heavy-based frying pan until very hot. Put one or two breads on the griddle and cook for 2 minutes on one side, patting the edges with a clean soft cloth - this keeps the bread in contact with the heat and helps cook it fast. Turn the breads over and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges of the bread, turn them over again and cook for 30-60 seconds more, then drizzle a few drops of oil on this side. Remove and set aside on a plate. Repeat with the rest of the rounds. (You can make the breads up to 2 hours ahead, then wrap in foil and reheat in a low oven.) Serve hot or cold.

CARDAMOM BISCUITS (NAN KHATAI)

Steps:

• Split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Pound the seeds to a powder in a pestle and mortar with 1 tsp of the sugar.
• Beat the butter until soft, then gradually add the remaining icing sugar and the ground cardamom. Continue beating until light and creamy, about 10 mins.
• Sieve the flour and gram flour into a bowl and whisk in the semolina and a pinch of salt. Stir into the butter and sugar in two increments. Gently bring everything together into a soft dough.
• Roll the dough into small, marble-sized balls with your hands and arrange, spaced out, on baking trays lined with baking parchment.
• Slightly flatten the top of each ball and press a whole almond or some chopped pistachios in the middle of each one. Chill for 20 mins.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Bake the biscuits for about 20 mins or until golden. Leave to cool before storing in an airtight tin.