Spinach Paratha Gluten & Dairy Free
Did you know that Spinach Paratha is also a fancy name for the most favorite type of unleavened Indian Bread? Paratha, also known as Roti, is usually made from whole wheat flour but this recipe is made with Gluten Free flour! You can also substitute besan or chickpea flour in making this recipe.
So what is the difference between Naan and Roti? Yogurt is added to naan to give it more volume and thickness. Paratha, on the other hand, is soft and flaky. The softness of this bread depends on the softness of the dough. Adding some salt to flour while kneading it will help while also adding a little water at a time.
Putting Paratha on a well heated tava or pan, will help it keep soft and flaky. Wikipedia says: that a tava, tawa, tapa or saj is a large flat, concave or convex disc-shaped frying pan made from metal. This pan is usually sheet iron, cast iron, sheet steel or aluminium originating from the Indian subcontinent. If you put this flatbread on cool tava or pan, waiting for the pan to heat up, it will turn hard.
We use spinach in the dough of this recipe for Spinach Paratha! You could use onions or potatoes instead if you wanted. I love the green color for serving with special meals or holidays like St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas! Plus this recipe is Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Vegan!
So you say, What do I do with Parathas? Oh my! I love them. Anything you would use bread for you can use this bread for! I like them especially with veggies in sauce, daal and curries.
The Spinach Parathas taste best when served hot. Store the leftovers in an airtight container. To reheat, place the spinach bread in a plate. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. Serve immediately. This recipe makes 10 – 6 inch flatbreads.
Additional Facts about Parathas from Taste Atlas:
“Paratha is a type of Indian bread that is typically consumed for breakfast. The name comes from a combination of words parat and atta (flour), referring to the cooked, layered dough.
Parathas are often stuffed with ingredients such as boiled potatoes, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, chili, paneer, or radish. They are sometimes accompanied by pickles, yogurt, homemade chutneys, or vegetable curries. In Punjab, paratha is traditionally paired with lassi, a popular yogurt-based drink.
Although the flatbread originated in Peshawar, Pakistan, it has spread throughout India where it can be found at numerous street stands and roadside eateries. The southern Indian version is called parotta. Another way of eating paratha is to roll it into a pipe and dip it into tea.”
You will find pictures below of how these flat breads are put together and the recipe follows the photos. Enjoy!
Recipe for Spinach Paratha:
Spinach Paratha
Equipment
- Fry Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Gluten Free Flour King Arthur Flour Measure for Measure GlutenFree Flour OR Bob Red Mill’s 1:1 GF Baking Flour + more for rolling out
- 1/2 Cup Tapioca Starch
- 1 5 onz Spinach Fresh Baby Spinach
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil and more for brushing on the parathas
- 1/4 cup water and more as needed for kneading
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, combine ¼ cup of water and 5 oz. of baby spinach. Cook over medium heat until the spinach is wilted.
- Dump the wilted spinach, along with the water it released into a mini food processor and blend it into smooth puree.
- In a large bowl combine the gluten free all-purpose flour, tapioca starch, salt, garam masala and olive oil. Give it a good mix
- Add the spinach puree and mix with a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula till the flour is well combined and there is no dry spot. Then using clean and well-floured hands, bring everything together into a smooth dough. You might need to add a tablespoon or two of water to bring everything together.
- Cover and let the rough rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 10 equal parts and shape each part into a smooth round ball.
- Place one ball in between two pieces of parchment and roll out into ¼ inch thick disk, which is roughly 6 inch in diameter. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Keep the rolled disk stacked on top of another, separated with parchment paper and covered with a damp kitchen towel.
- Heat an 8 inch skillet over medium high heat. Place the spinach paratha on a hot skillet
- Once you see some bubbles on the paratha (in about 1 minute or so), flip it.
- Brush a little oil on the now top side. Flip it again and brush the second side with some oil. Flip it again, so that both the sides are roasted. Place it a serving plate.
- Repeat with the remaining rolled disks. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Looks pretty good
This looks really good. Thanks for sharing.
This looks delicious
Thanks!