Paneer Parathas

                        During college days, it used to be very very tight schedule in the morning, getting ready and running to catch the train. If we used to miss first train it would be late for the second connecting train.If you have traveled frequently in Mumbai by local trains you will know what I am talking about. Its a big accomplishment, starting from climbing in the completely jammed packed first class compartment of fast train. cross over to the other side to get down at Kurla.. Start running on the overbridge to reach the harbor line. Catch the train to nerul.. Again run to catch the autorickshaw. Reach the college elevator to realise that there are 20 people before you in queue to board the elevator.. run across the four floors and reach the classroom...
             You tell me, wont you be hungry after so much of adventure early in the morning. so we used to eat dabbas (lunch boxes) right after or in our first lecture. We were group of 7-8 friends  and 3-4 dabbas were over in the first lecture. the rest would be eaten in the actual lunch break. the items selected for the intial snacking were dry dishes as in parathas, chips, sandwiches,, My mom used to make these paneer parathas which were loved by all my friends and one of my friend was really very fond of them. She still talks about these paneer parathas whenever we meet.. So here is my mom's recipe for you Dhruti...
                Paneer parathas is a healthy wholesome meal for kids and adults. It is great as breakfast along with some yogurt and pickle.. Great dish to carry in your lunch boxes...
Ingredients:
For dough

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Approx 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp oil

For filling

• 200 gm grated paneer
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1 cup chopped coriander
• 2 finely chopped green chilllies
• 3 tbsp chopped garlic

•  More flour for rolling
• Ghee 

Method:
A) For the Dough

• Mix whole wheat flour with salt in a large bowl. 
• Add about 1/3rd cup of water and mix the dough in water. Now add water teaspoon by teaspoon till you are able to bind the dough together. If you add excess of water, the dough will be too soft to roll out and will be sticky. If you add less water, dough will be stiff and hard when you parathas are done..
• Once you feel you just need some more water to get all the dough together, add oil and knead to get a smooth and elastic ball.. 
• Drizzle with few drops of oil and spread over the surface.Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 min.After 30 min, knead the dough once again, you will find consistency of the dough is smoother now.

B) For the filling.

• Combine all the ingredients for filling. Adjust the seasonings as per your taste. You may want to cut down chillies or totally omit them in the stuffing for your child. I used light green thick chillies which are not very hot.

C) Making the parathas

• Divide the dough into 8 equal balls and divide the stuffing into 8 equal parts. The stuffing should be equal in amount to the dough balls. This ensures you have well stuffed parathas.
•  Now dip the dough ball into a bowl of wheat flour, so that wheat flour lightly coats the dough. Roll the ball into a disc of about 3 inches. Using your fingers, start pinching the edges of the disc, so that the center is thicker than the edges.
• Now place the filling in the center. Gather the edges of the disc and bring them up and seal over the top.Then dip this stuffed ball into the wheat flour, flatten the ball into small disc with your fingers.
• Placed smooth part of the stuffed disc facing towards you and gently roll the disc into paratha with a rolling pin.

                            

• Heat the tava/ skillet on the cooking stove on medium heat.
• Place the paratha on the heated skillet and let it cook for sometime till you see light brown spots on the underside.
• Flip the paratha and cook on the other side.

• Drizzle with some Ghee ( clarified butter) and serve with yogurt.
• Repeat with rest of stuffed balls...