Bajra Masala Thepla (Pearl Millet Masala Chapatis)

The world of books is so beautiful. It usually takes me in a place that is far away from the present. Whenever I feel life is getting monotonous I dive into the world created by the author of a particular book and start living among the characters of the book, it totally immerses me that I cannot think anything beyond that story for that moment. A whole different world comes alive and being a very visual person, I see the whole story happening around me. It is so amazing. I am sure so many people share my experience and would be able to relate to me.
When I was growing up I came across a quote ‘a book is a man’s best friend’ and since then I never leave the house without a book, lest I come across a situation where I find myself in need of company. I think Kindle is the best thing that has happened to book lovers. So light and so accessible. Just by a click of a button a new book is downloaded. It is literally a dream come true.
At the moment I am reading ‘The Palace of Illusions’. I book I cannot put down. I stay up all hours of the night reading. It is the story of the Mahabharat narrated from a female point of view. Never has anyone ever thought of what the women in the Mahabharat actually felt like. So here I am stuck in the story of The Palace of Illusions and cannot think anything else while I try to make breakfast on this fine Sunday morning.
My mind gone blank as I have been up most of the night trying to finish the book. Then thought I would make Bajra Thepla that everyone loves with masala tea and spicy yoghurt, it is simple, healthy, filling and very tasty.
So here is the recipe step by step….

Ingredients

2 bowls Bajra flour
1 bowl Chapatti flour
1/2 bowl fresh methi (fenugreek leaves) – if not available can use dry fenugreek or can do without
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp black pepper powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tbl spoon sesame seeds
2 cloves garlic grated
1-2 fresh green chilli paste
1/2 inch ginger grated
1/2 tsp lemon
2 tbl spoons oil

My mind keeps drifting to the book…. on page 221 ‘Victory – not in the upcoming battle but against the six inner enemies that plague us all: lust, anger, greed, ignorance, arrogance and envy’ …… hmmmm
In every other page of the book there is something to ponder. Like when Draupati said ‘we cannot force ourselves to love – or to withhold it. At best, we can curb our actions. The heart itself is beyond control. That is its power.

Method

Sieve both the flour. Mix in all the ingredients making a well in the centre. Put some oil and mix the flour until crumbly.
Make a soft dough adding enough water

Divide the dough into 12 equal parts and roll each one round into the shape of a chapatti
Heat a tawa or a frying pan on medium heat and cook one side of the thepla slightly before turning and brushing it with oil. Wait for it to cook and turn again brushing oil on the other side.
Flip it over a couple of times until it cooks evenly.

Do the same with the rest of the dough.
Serve it hot with spicy yoghurt, pickle or tea or with all as I have done.

I can now go back to my book. Almost finished and will not relax until I do so. Some beautiful quotes in the book :-

‘A problem becomes a problem only if you believe it to be so. And often others see you as you see yourself’

‘A situation in itself is neither happy nor unhappy. Its only your response to it that causes you sorrow’

‘Let the past go. Be at ease. Allow the future to arrive at its own pace, unfurling its secrets when it will’

Highly recommend this book!!