Garlic Chives and Flaxseeds Thepla or Indian Flatbreads
While winters are playing hide and seek with Mumbaites, I am enjoying my time shopping for the winter vegetables that have arrived in the market. Green is the most dominant colour now in the market with peas, cabbage, cauliflower and other leafy vegetables standing proud and tall admist the others varieties.
One such leafy green rather herb is Garlic Chives which I really look forward to as I enjoy upgrading our regular flatbreads or rotis / theplas / parathas to something delicious with a healthy dose of nutrients too to beat winters.
Do you know that Garlic Chives are part of the onion family? Yes, they are! They however, smell and taste exactly like garlic and remind you no where close to being a part of the Onion family.
If we look at the health benefits then the herb is rich in Vitamin C which prevents cold and fever (ideal for winters), rich in Riboflavin, Potassium, Vitamin A, Iron, Thiamin and Beta Carotene they help increasing blood count, maintain blood pressure and increase immunity. The herb has high content of dietary fiber and protein that helps balance metabolism. They are also known to be helpful in treating kidney and liver problems. Low in fat, they can be consumed by weight watchers as part of their diet (refer to the notes below).
While my original plan was to add sesame seeds (til) along with some carom seeds (ajwain). But then I thought to myself, if I am keeping in mind the health quotient, let me go all the way and added flax seeds to it. Flax seeds considered as one of the superfoods helps reduce risk of heart disease, cancer and is extremely helpful for diabetes.
Narayan doesn’t like flax seeds unless it is tucked away in a paratha or masala rotis etc and when he tasted some of these, he was more than happy to enjoy a good dose of health along with taste.
The Garlic pods are very juicy and tender and hence the water to knead the dough should be just right as when the dough rests for 20 minutes, they tend to release some water which if you have accidentally added a bit extra water while kneading, might be difficult to roll and will tend to stick. I don’t normally add oil to any dough as we prefer eating minimal oil but in this case, I have made an exception so that the dough doesn’t get too sticky.
Theplas belong to the Gujarati cuisine and are usually made with Methi leaves (Fenugreek leaves) which is also a winter delicacy and the best travel food. Do check out the recipe for Methi Thepla if you would love to try the same.
In the meanwhile, please go through the recipe below for Garlic Chives and Flax seeds Theplas with recipe notes and tips to include Garlic Chives in your daily menu.
Garlic Chives and Flax Seeds Thepla or Indian Flatbread
Preparation Time – 10 minutes
Resting Time – 20 minutes (Dough rest)
Cooking Time – 15 minutes
Serves 6 nos. medium sized theplas / flatbreads
Ingredients
- A small bunch of Green Garlic Chives finely chopped
- Whole wheat Flour – 1 ¼ cup + some flour for dusting while making theplas
- Flax seeds – 1 ¼ tblsp
- Turmeric Powder or Haldi – ½ tsp
- Red chilli powder or Lal Mirch – ½ tsp
- Oil – 1 tsp to be incorporated in the dough + few drops as required for cooking the flatbreads
- Water as required to knead the flour to a smooth dough
- Hing – a pinch
- Salt as per taste
Method – (Step by step pics below - click on the pic to know the details)
- In a medium sized bowl, add the flour, turmeric powder, flax seeds, hing, salt, red chilli powder and the green garlic chives finely chopped and mix everything well before incorporating water slowly to form a smooth dough.
- Add a tsp of oil to this dough and knead it ateast for 5 minutes before keeping it aside for resting atleast for 20 minutes or so.
- Now, heat a griddle or a Roti Tawa (non-stick pan) on a low flame. Meanwhile, prepare the flatbreads or theplas by making equal sized balls from the dough.
- Dust the surface with some flour and press the dough balls slightly into some flour (dust off the excess) and then flatten them slightly with your fingers before using the rolling pin to roll them out into smooth flatbreads. The thickness depends on you. I have made it slightly thick as I prefer the same.
- Since there are pieces of finely chopped garlic in the flatbread dough, chances are your flatbreads when being rolled would tend to tear. Just ensure you keep lifting the flatbreads and then dusting the surface to ensure it stays dry and doesn’t leave out much moisture.
- Once the flatbreads are rolled out, place them on the hot griddle or roti tawa and allow it to cook from one side before turning or flipping them and cooking on the other side as well. While doing so, drizzle few drops of oil on the edges or on the surface.
- You may also use clarified butter or ghee for the same. Tastes wonderful.
- Once the flatbreads are cooked on both sides, remove them from the griddle or roti tawa and serve them piping hot with some pickle and salad or curd.
Recipe Notes and Ways to include Garlic Chives in your cooking:-
- Since this was my first attempt for a chives thepla, I tried to only use whole wheat flour but look forward to incorporating some multigrain flour next time to up the health quotient.
- If your kids don’t prefer spice, you may skip the addition of red chilli powder.
- Garlic chives can be used to flavor your dals, soups & leafy vegetables too.
- Try adding them to your regular dal khichdi and see the magic of flavours.
- Ideal to add them in parathas along with the filling for kids tiffin / lunch box.
- If your family doesn’t consume flax seeds, you can add carom seeds (ajwain) or til (sesame seeds) to make it tasty, healthy and interesting.
If you like my work, please show me some love by following me on:-
Twitter - https://twitter.com/masalachilli
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MasalachillibyVidyaNarayan/
Pinterest - https://in.pinterest.com/masalachilli
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/masalachilli_vidyanarayan/
Google+ Masala Chilli
Vidya Narayan