Potato-cheese Kulcha

How kids grow up so fast! I know I know I have said that zillion times indifferent manners, in different language. Yet still. Every time they do something new I feel like telling this to myself. Loud and clear. to remind myself how time is zooming by so fast. 

My daughter completed one and half years this July and is such a joy to watch. With her endless energy and non stop blabber she drives us crazy most of the times.. But no one can get angry with the innocent smiley face she makes when scolded. I especially love her sweet talks. Most of the times she is behind me for swithing on the TV where she wants to watch Bibi tibi (Baby TV) and then she will try to mimik the words and will animatedly wave her hands to the cartoon creatures. When her dadda sits to study she also  brings her little red chair,open her baby books and will read P, K, A, C.

 After the grocery shopping her work is to count the number of bags sometimes 1, 2, 3,4 sometimes she counts from 1 to 10. Once I refused to make a bottle of milk for her so she brought the formula packet, her water and milk bottles to me and instructed me, 'Mummum Bayayo" (banao or prepare in bengali). 

Now that her father his away every-time she is on skype she will make sure to tell her father Baba Ka Kanchi ( Ka is the short form of Ritika her name and Kanchi as in crying in Bengali). In her unique language she defines everything Goru (cow) is Goyu, Birds are ay ay (as in come in Bengali), Dushtu (naughty) is Duttu and when angry she will make a face and will ask everyone to Ja Paya (Ja pala or go away in Bengali). Her most favourite person in this whole wide World is her Dadda. She will follow him and copy him the whole day and will never go tired.

 Her Big Bro on the other hand dotes on her. Whatever her sister does is Cutie cutie for him. If I get angry with the sister for some mischief he will come forward and plead to scold him instead of his  cutie cutie sister. Buniya (sister in BEngali) is so small Mummum would be his reason which makes me smile to myself. He is quite matured for his age and once he asked me to teach him how to prepare the formula for the baby, so that I can take a nap and he would look after her. I was touched with his understanding. He is a sweet little boy who enjoys his studies, dance music and playing with his friends. 

And the joy to a food blogger is both her kids enjoy food as much as she loves to cook. While the brother understands the importance of eating healthy the sister is all for junk food which she hardly gets to lay her hands on. But given a choice she will happily trade her rice-fish curry lunch for a bowl of homemade chowmein.

These Kulchas are what both of them relishes a lot. I experiment a lot with the filling but one thing that is constant is the Potato. For me everything with potatoes in it is a definite crowd pleaser. The recipe am sharing here is of Alu and cheese Kulchas which is baked in the oven and then is smeared with ghee to keep it soft and delicious.

Potato and cheese Kulcha

(makes 6 large kulchas)

Ingredients:

For the stuffing:

Potatoes: 4 large

Onion: 1 finely chopped (1/4 cup)

Ginger-garlic paste: 11/2 tsps

Anardana or dry pomegranate seeds: 1 tsp

Chaat masala" 1/2 tsp

Kasuri Methi: 1 tsp

Cumin seeds: 1/3 tsp

Cheese: 6 tbsps grated

salt

Oil: 1 tsp

For the dough:

Whole wheat flour: 1 cup

All purpose flour: 2 cups

Carom seeds or Ajwain: 1/2 tsp

Baking soda: little less than 1 tsp

Yogurt: 1/2 cup

Milk: 1/2 cup

Oil: 3 tbsp

Salt: as per taste

Warm water to knead

Topping:

chopped coriander leaves

nigella seeds

Sesame seeds

Ghee for brushing the top

Method:

Halve and boil the potatoes in salted water till soft. Drain and remove the skin. Using a potato masher or with the help of a spoon mash it till smooth.

Dry roast the dried pomegranate seeds, kasuri methi and coriander leaves till dry. Cool and grind to a smooth powder.

Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds when they start to splutter add the chopped onion. Fry till soft. Add in the ginger garlic paste and fry with little salt till oil start to separate at the sides. Now mix in the dried powder of pomegrante seeds. Add the mashed potatoes and all the spices. Cook on low till it's all mixed and the potato looks dry. Adjust the seasoning. Take out and cool.

While the potatoes are boiling start making the dough. Mix the flours, baking soda and salt. Rub the ajwain in your palm and add to the mix.  Make a well in the center and pour in the oil, curd and milk. Mix add more water to make a smooth nice dough. Knead it at least for 5-6 minutes till its nice and supple. Cover with a plate or a damp cloth and keep aside.

Once you are ready to prepare, pre heat your oven to it's maximum temperature. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and grease.

Divide the dough in 6 or 8 equal parts. Mix in the cheese to the cool potato mixture and make big lemon size balls. slightly roll out the dough to 1/2" thickness and place a potato ball in the center.ring the sides to close it. Make sure no air is trapped in the dough. Smear your work surface with oil and place the ball on it. Using your fingers start patting it and flattening it. Press the sides and center to flatten it to even thickness. The prepared kulcha should have a very thin top layer.

Sprinkle some water on top and scatter chopped coriander leaves, nigella and sesame seeds. If you wish can sprinkle a little chili powder too.

Place on the baking tray and bake for 8-9 minutes or till the puff up and the sides start to brown.

Brush the top with melted ghee and serve hot with any Dal or Raita.