Luchi is the first thing that pops up in one's mind when thinking about Bengali food. These fried puffed breads are made from all purpose flour gently deep fried and to be eaten with comforting potato curries. So let’s have luchi tonight.

Ingredients

3 cups All Purpose Flour (Maida)

2 tablespoons Ghee

1/2 teaspoon Salt

Cooking oil- for deep frying

Lukewarm Water- for kneading

1)      First sift the flour with salt once into a large mixing bowl.

2)      Add oil or ghee to the same bowl and mix till incorporated.

3)      Make a well in the middle and add 1/2 cup of warm water. Gently mix the water and flour and start kneading with your fingers.

4)      Gradually add more warm water as needed will the dough becomes easy to knead into a dry ball that is firm to touch, but soft and pliable when rolled.

5)      Knead the luchi dough for about 3-4 minutes till you have a smooth dough, like you will need when making poori.

6)      Cover with the luchi dough with a wet light cloth and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

7)      Divide the dough in to about 20 small round balls of equal size.

8)      Roll out each portion into a perfect ball, and using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to 1/4 inch thickness and about 3 inches in diameter.

9)      Proceed to roll them all out. Meanwhile, warm the oil in a pan placed on medium heat, to begin deep frying the luchi.

10)   When the oil is hot, gently slide the rolled out luchi, one by one, into the kadai. Fry for a minute on either sides, till they are puffy and cooked. Do not brown the luchis. The traditional luchi looks like a white puffed poori.

11)   Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on kitchen paper.

Serve Luchi with Bengali Cholar Dal or with Bengali Style Aloo Dum for a comfort Sunday brunch.