SIMPLE BARLEY CHAPATI (flatbread)

Chapati is a type of flatbread. This one made of barley will have a filling effect but also a lightening and drying effect. It is great for Kapha/Pitta predominant individuals/conditions. To prevent aggravation of Pitta and Vata, wheat helps.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of wheat flour

1 cup of barley flour (you either have to grind pearled barley yourself, or purchase it in an Indian Market)

1 cups of filtered water

pinch of sea salt

pinch of black pepper

pinch of cumin powder

pinch of fenugreek

PREPARATION:

1- Be sure to have a flat grill readily available, or traditional South Asian pan, or a gas stove with a grill top

2-Be sure to mix all ingredients in a bowl. The texture of the dough should be soft enough to mold into small balls around 2 inches in size. Adjusting the water-to-flour ratio is important.

3-Take one of the balls, and on a flat surface lightly sprinkled with flour, roll out the dough until it is almost paper thin. Use a roller.

4-Turn the heat on to medium-high heat, not too high, and either add a little ghee to the pan or grill surface or not depending on your arrangement.

5- Place the flattened dough over the flame and slowly move it around. You’ll start to notice bubbles forming, which is great! That’s what you want to see. It’s fun to watch. Flip it around slowly to ensure both sides are cooked.

6- Take it off the stove after a few minutes and place it on a dish.

This recipe is good, especially this time of year, and can be eaten with a dal or soup. Alternately, you can have this for breakfast with a cup of tea, a smear of honey, and a smear of ghee, eggs, veggies, or simply veggies.

Note: for Vata predominant issues/constitution, you can omit the barley flour and use 2 cups of wheat flour. Also, get happy with ghee and use it a little more than the recipe suggests.

Optional: you can add the dough directly to the stove flame but you have to be quick about noticing the transformation before burning. The bubbles happen faster this way. Fun to watch!