Cheese Parathas
-Makes 5 (Serves 2-3)
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Parathas (stuffed flatbreads) are a popular breakfast staple in the Indian sub-continent. Stuffed with anything from lentils, spiced potatoes, paneer, and minced meat, these delicious flatbreads are generally eaten with a bowl of natural yogurt or with chai. After the introduction of processed cheese in India over the past two decades, cheese parathas and naan have now become a  kids' favorite. Crispy whole-wheat pastry filled with chewy, gooey mature cheddar - these whole-wheat cheese parathas are so good, my kids and I could eat them by the dozen!

Ingredients for Cheese Parathas

Dough:
1 cup Indian whole wheat flour (labelled Atta on packets at grocery stores)
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/3 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds or carom seeds (Ajwain)
1 teaspoon oil
About 1/2 cup water

Filling:
1.5 cups of good quality mature cheddar (I like using mature Irish cheddar), grated 
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Also needed:
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour for dusting
olive oil for brushing

Cheese Parathas Recipe Video

Recipe
Making Dough
1. In a large bowl mix flour, salt, chili powder, caraway/carom seeds and oil. Adding little water at a time, knead into a smooth ball of dough. Set it aside and cover. Let the dough rest for about half an hour.
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Making parathas
1. Divide the dough and grated cheese into 5 equal parts. 
2. Take a ball of dough, make it flat between your palms, dip it in flour on both sides and place it on a flat surface.
3. Roll the dough into a 6-inch diameter circle. Place a portion of cheese in the center. Seal by pulling the edges of the rolled dough together like a dumpling to make a ball. (Remember your filling should be as much as the size of your dough ball).
4. Make the ball flat between your palms and cover in atta flour on both sides.
5. Heat a skillet or heavy-base frying pan on medium-high flame.
6. Using a rolling pin, roll the ball lightly into a thin uniform circle. Dust it with flour if it sticks.
7. When the pan starts smoking, place paratha on it. Cook until the underside has brown spots, about 15-20 seconds, then flip and cook on the other side. Brush both sides sparingly with oil and fry for about 5-10 second on each side until crispy-golden all over. 
8. Continue with remaining dough and filling. Serve hot.
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