Mawa Puran Poli:  A Sweet Marathi Flatbread

During the festive seasons of ganesh chathurthi, diwali, and holi, indian sweets are primarily cooked and consumed. Additionally, each state has a unique sweets recipe for each occasion and holiday. Puran poli is a traditional Holi and Diwali dish cooked from a marathi recipe.

Famous sweet flatbread recipe from Maharashtra made with wheat flour and stuffing of sweetened chana dal. It is typically prepared for special occasions or during festival season, but it can be prepared and kept at any time. It is delicious when eaten or served warm with plenty of ghee, but it also pairs well with the pickle recipe.

Ingredients:

For puran (dal stuffing):

    1½ cup chana dal

    ¼ tsp turmeric

    ½ tsp ghee

    3 cup water

    1½ cup jaggery

    1 tsp ghee

    ½ tsp cardamom powder

    1 cup Mawa 

For poli (outer covering):

    2 cup wheat flour

    1 cup maida

    ¼ tsp turmeric

    ¼ tsp salt

    2 tbsp oil

    water (for kneading)

Other ingredients:

    maida (for dusting)

    ghee (for roasting)

Instruction for cooking Mawa Puran Poli:

    First, soak 1 1/2 cups of chana dal for an hour in a big bowl

    Drain the water and transfer the chana dal  into the cooker

    Add 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp ghee, and 3 cups of water

    On a medium burner, pressure cook for three whistles

    Drain the water, separating the dal from the water

    To a big kadai, transfer the dal

    Mix thoroughly after adding 1 1/2 cups of jaggery and 1 cup of Mawa 

    Mash the dal once the jaggery has melted

    Mash the dal into a pastey consistency. Alternatively, you might ground the dal and jaggery and add it to the mixi jar

    Continue to cook the mixture until it thickens and takes on the shape

    Now add 1 tsp ghee and 1/2 tsp cardamom powder, and simmer for a minute, or until the mixture begins to separate the pan. If the mixture isn't cooked through, the filling will be sticky and tricky to form into a ball

    Transfer to a plate and let cool just a bit. Don't overcook the stuffing or it will become tough

    Grease your hands with ghee and make stuffing the size of balls

    Puran is prepared at last. put aside

Poli (outer covering) preparation:

    First, add 2 cups wheat flour, 1 cup maida, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp oil in a big bowl 

    Ensure that you thoroughly combine all the ingredients by mixing well

    Now, add water as needed and begin to knead the dough

    Add water in small amounts while kneading to a soft, smooth dough 

    Oil the dough with 2 teaspoons, cover it, and let it rest for at least an hour

    Knead the dough once again after an hour 

    Make a smooth ball out of a piece of dough the size of a ball 

    By squeezing the dough from the sides, make a cup 

    Stuff with a ball-sized prepared puran (dal stuff)

    Begin stuffing within by pulling the dough without any pleats

    Now tightly seal the dough to prevent any gaps 

    Sprinkle maida on the ball, then gently press it down

    Now, gently roll without applying excessive pressure

    Roll as thinly as you can while ensuring that the puran is distributed evenly

    Now, while keeping the flame on medium, fry the puran poli on a hot tawa

    Once the base is halfway done, turn it over

    Ghee should be evenly applied and cooked on all sides 

    Puran poli should be puffed and cooked evenly                 

Finally, enjoy your puran poli with ghee, milk and pickle.