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Best Easy Karela Paratha Recipe

Name: Best Easy Karela Paratha Recipe
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 120 g
Ingredients: whole wheat flour 2 cups; bitter gourd (karela), finely grated 1 cup; red onion, finely chopped 0.5 cup; plain yogurt 0.25 cup; water 0.5 cup; salt 1 tsp; ground cumin 1 tsp; ground coriander 1 tsp; red chili powder 0.5 tsp; turmeric powder 0.25 tsp; garam masala 0.5 tsp; butter or ghee (for cooking) 3 tbsp

Karela Paratha is a flaky, stuffed Indian flatbread that's pan-fried to golden perfection with butter or ghee. This hearty vegetarian bread is a satisfying family breakfast or dinner accompaniment.

Cook 55 min Difficulty NORMAL 235 kcal

#vegetarian #indian breakfast #stuffed paratha #family meal

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

whole wheat flour 2 cups
bitter gourd (karela), finely grated 1 cup
red onion, finely chopped 0.5 cup
plain yogurt 0.25 cup
water 0.5 cup

Seasonings/Sauce

salt 1 tsp
ground cumin 1 tsp
ground coriander 1 tsp
red chili powder 0.5 tsp
turmeric powder 0.25 tsp
garam masala 0.5 tsp
butter or ghee (for cooking) 3 tbsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 36 g 61%

Protein 6 g 10%

Fat 6 g 29%

Serving size 120g

Cooking steps

1

In a bowl, combine grated bitter gourd (karela) with 1/2 tsp salt; let sit for 15 minutes, then squeeze out excess liquid to reduce bitterness.
2

Mix wheat flour, yogurt, the prepped karela, onion, remaining salt, cumin, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala. Gradually add water to form a soft dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.
3

Cover dough and let rest for at least 20 minutes to relax the gluten.
4

Divide dough into 6 balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each into a 7-inch circle, sprinkling with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
5

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place paratha on dry pan and cook for 1 minute per side until light spots appear. Then brush with butter or ghee, increase to medium-high, and pan-fry both sides until golden and flaky (2-3 minutes per side), repeating with all parathas. Stack in a clean towel to keep warm.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Best Easy Karela Paratha Recipe?

The signature ingredient is bitter gourd (karela). Its unique flavor defines the character of the paratha, offering a subtle bitterness balanced by the seasoning and the softness of the flatbread. Grating and salting the karela tempers the bitterness while preserving its distinctive bite.

Q. What cooking step is most important for perfectly flaky parathas?

Allowing the dough to rest after kneading is vital for a tender, easy-to-roll texture. Additionally, pan-frying each paratha over medium-high heat with a brushing of butter or ghee ensures a golden, crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and layered.

Q. How do you prevent the parathas from turning dense or dry?

Adequate hydration and resting the dough are key to combating dryness. Avoid overworking the dough, and always cover cooked parathas in a towel to retain warmth and softness. If parathas feel dense, use a touch more yogurt or water in the dough.

Q. What are the nutrition stats per serving for this recipe?

Each serving provides about 235 kcal, with 36g carbohydrates (61% of calories), 6g protein (10%), and 6g fat (29%). This balance offers a hearty, energy-rich bread with moderate protein, suitable as a main or side.

Best Easy Karela Paratha Recipe

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