Flour for chapati

hfot2

What flour works best for chapati? [ What is the closest thing to atta that we can get readily in the States?]

I used whole wheat [King Arthur brand, made here in Vermont] The package says it is 100% unbleached whole wheat flour, including wheat germ and bran. The chapati tasted too wheaty and too sweet. The texture was good thanks to advice from a friend in Delhi about adding a touch of oil or ghee to the dough - not in any of my recipes, but it works well.

I can't decide whether to experiment next by mixing in some white flour or buying a less expensive brand of wheat flour and seeing if it is less wheaty.

vir

From what my mother and wife tells me Golden Temple Atta is best for Chappatis compared to other atta available in Indian grocery stores in US .

ananda2193

Hey it's the Carrot guy again.

Here's a recipe for Chapati from the same book I got the carrot recipes for you.

CHAPATI:

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
Salt to taste
About 3/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter or ghee, melted, plus extra for serving


Sift together flours and salt into a medium bowl, add any bran remaining in sifter. Mix in enough water to make a soft dough.

Knead dough on a slightly floured surface about 5 minutes, until smooth and pliable, then with wet hands, knead dough 1 minute more to make extra smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes. Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll each out on a lightly floured surface to a 5 inch round.

Heat a griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat; cook rounds one at a time, floured side down, 1 to 2 minutes, until beginning to bubble on surface. Turn over and cook 30 to 60 seconds, pressing with a folded dry cloth during cooking to make them puff up. Wrap chapatis in a dry cloth as they are ready. Serve warm, brushed with extra melted butter.

hfot2

Thanks carrot guy! So it's half an half on the flour - I will try it next time. No oil or ghee in the recipe - none in any I found either, but my friend said to try it and I did and it was a great consistency.

What book are you using?

We are in Vermont and there are no Indian groceries here in Burlingon, the biggest city in the state. There is however an Indian restaurant run by Sikhs and perhaps they'll sell me some Golden Temple Atta.

vir

Here is one Indian grocery store in Burlington:

Gagan Asian Grocery Store - South Burlington
1293 Williston Rd Vermont (VT) Phone: (802) 658 2730


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ananda2193

It's called "The Book Of Curries and Indian Foods" by Linda Fraser. By HPBooks. And HPBooks are published by The Berkley Publishing Group. It was given as a gift some years ago. It's a nice book with over 100 recipes and lots of pics. Every recipe has 4 pics.

I also use some other books that isn't solely Indian recipes.
There books on spicy foods which I love.

hfot2

Who knew???
We'll check them out! Thanks!
How did you find them?
[We've had to do our shopping in Delhi or New Jersey]

hfot2

Thanks, Carrot guy. We have five or six Indian cook books, {but none with carrots!}

ananda2193

Actually, I was calling YOU the carrot guy..

hfot2

Oops
.
To avoid confusion, I usually remember to sign my posts the distaff half of hfot2. Our profile shows both of us.

If I'm anything, I'm the carrot girl; thanks for noticing our name or photo.

distaff half of hfot2

ananda2193

There used to be a restaurant in Panajachel, Guatemala called the Zanahoria(spanish for carrot) Chick.

Was that you?

kmalik

hfot2 - I guess I am in the minority. I have used most of the kinds mentioned here, including the Golden Temple brand. However, my favorite is King Arthur brand whole wheat - the one you were complaining about! Clearly, the atta sold under specialist Indian brands does make the softer chappati, but it seems to include some all purpose flour as well. I, for one, believe that whole wheat and only whole wheat is the healthier way to go.

I also add a bit of gram flour to the wheat flour. It does tend to make the dough making a bit harder proposition, but adds a dimension to the bread.

Good luck!

hfot2

Nope!

noflylist

Texas swears by Lakshmi brand Atta!

hfot2

We visited Gagan's Indian Grocery Store today. It's been there for six years!

It is on a block we never travel and it advertises itself as an Asian Market. We already had a favorite Asian market and so never had the need to explore.

What a treat - spices galore, Limca, Thums Up, idli mix, treats from Haldirams, frozen Paneer, Golden Temple atta etc etc....

Thanks very, very much,
hfot2