Puri, Chana, and Sooji Halwa Recipe: A Classic Indian Breakfast Combo
This meal combines the timeless flavours of Puri (deep-fried bread), Chana (spicy chickpea curry), and Sooji Halwa (semolina pudding). It’s a beloved North Indian breakfast combo that’s both comforting and delicious. Here’s how to make it:
Puri Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Water, as needed
- Oil, for deep frying
Chana Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (chana), soaked overnight
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Oil, for cooking
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Sooji Halwa Ingredients:
- 1 cup sooji (semolina)
- 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A handful of cashews and raisins
Instructions:
Puri:
- In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, salt, and water to make a stiff dough. Knead it for a few minutes until smooth. Let it rest for about 15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls and roll them out into circles, about 4-5 inches in diameter.
- Heat oil for deep frying in a pan. When hot, carefully slide in the rolled puris one at a time. Press them gently with a slotted spoon until they puff up. Fry until they turn golden brown, then remove and drain on paper towels.
Chana:
- Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas until they’re tender. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until they become golden brown.
- Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for a minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil separates from the masala.
- Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the cooked chickpeas and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add water as needed to adjust the consistency.
Sooji Halwa:
- In a pan, heat ghee. Add sooji and roast it on low to medium heat until it turns golden and aromatic.
- In another saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil with the sugar. Simmer until the sugar dissolves.
- Slowly add the sugar-water to the roasted sooji while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook until the halwa thickens. Add cardamom powder, cashews, and raisins.
Serving:
Serve the hot and crispy puris with chana and a serving of sooji halwa. It’s a wholesome and classic Indian breakfast that’s both comforting and flavorful. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Adjust the spice levels in the chana and sooji halwa according to your taste.
- You can garnish the chana with fresh coriander leaves.
- Make sure the puris are rolled out evenly to ensure they puff up properly when frying.