Double Decker Parathas & Remembering a Good Soul

Food evokes memories - mostly pleasant, sometimes heart tugging but always welcome! A good meal enjoyed with family or an outing with friends with loads of fun, food n frolic or simply cooking a favourite dish for near & dear stays with us for a long time and gently tugs us as delightful memories. I have so many recollections of the past associated with food, that promises to stay fresh always. 


The parathas made today evoked a soulful recollection of a person who has managed to stay in our hearts forever. This gentle & humble soul whom we fondly called as  Naseema ji had in her own ways made a difference to our lives. She joined us as a housemaid 4 years back while we were in Mumbai. Always smiling & cheerful, never having  a bad word for any body and sticking to her work without unnecessary gossip & banter were just a few traits which I admired in her. That she had problems with her spouse was something I came to know after one year of her working --- such was her grace that she did not like self-pity talks. 


When my son who was born under stressful conditions, was very sick & on the verge of not making it any further, she used to pep me up by saying that God tests the bravest the most and to have unconditional faith in HIM. She added that my boy is a mighty warrior and will go places and that her prayers will always have my son's name.


Now when I see my son who has almost become normal, those words that are still etched in my heart, gives me courage to carry on whenever I am down & out.


One fine day after finishing her work as usual she left with a cheerful smile. Unusually she refused to have breakfast and little did I know, that was the last I would ever see her. I got a phone call later in the day saying that she died because of an electrical shock when she was ironing the family's clothes. We went to pay our last respects and I sincerely prayed that her soul Rests in Peace!


Coming back to this holy month of RAMADAN , I remember she telling me that she loved to break her fasts with fried stuff and parathas which were her favourite.


We have moved away from Mumbai, but the fond memories of that gentle soul still lingers.


In her memory........

I made these parathas that got a thunderous reception . The recipe is adapted from Tarla Dalal. The fillings have been tweaked to suit our taste-buds and you are welcome to give it any make over by going in for more peppy ingredients! I enjoyed the parathas with little pickle, a dash of Tomato sauce and a bowl of curd and one paratha is enough to keep you fired up in the morning !

What's in it :-


Filling no 1 :- (Carrot & Green Peas)

• Carrots - 2 - grated
• Green peas - a fistful
• Green Chillis - 2 to 3 - chopped finely - to taste
• Olive Oil - 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tbsp
• Coriander leaves - a few sprigs - finely chopped
• Splash of lemon juice - to taste
• Salt & pepper Powder - to taste

Filling no 2 :-(Cheesy Potatoes)

• Potato - 2 - boiled & mashed
• Onion - 1/2 - finely chopped
• Green Chillis - 2 - finely chopped - to taste
• Coriander leaves - a few sprigs - finely chopped
• Cheese - 1 chiplet - grated - as required - optional
• Salt & Pepper Powder - to taste

For the flatbread/ rotis :-

• Wheat Flour - 1 cup
• Water - as required
• Oli - little
• Ghee/Olive oil - for cooking the parathas - as required

How :-

Knead the flour with required water and add little oil for a smooth pliable dough. Set aside.

In a small pan, add oil and as it warms up let the cumin seeds crackle. Drop the green chillis and the green peas and saute for a few minutes. Add the grated carrots and let it cook for a few minutes before seasoning it with salt & pepper. Take off flame and lemon juice to taste . Garnish with greens. Filling No 1 is ready. 


Mix the ingredients for Filling No 2 in a bowl and adjust the seasoning. Set aside.


Take a small ball of dough and spread it across thinly for the flat bread. Make 3 of them for one double decker paratha. Take a heaped spoon of the carrot-peas filling and spread on one chapatti and cover with another chapatti. On top of it again spread a spoonful of the cheesy potato filling and place another chapatti on the top and press firmly to seal the edges.

Cook the double decker parathas on a tava (griddle) on both sides, using a little oil/butter/ghee . Repeat the process for more parathas. Serve hot.

RAMADAN KAREEM TO ALL MY READERS ! Sending my Ramadan Musings to Lubna's Joys from fasting to Feasting - IV and also to Jabeen's Iftar Nights