Chettinad Parotta

1. 1

   Prepare the Dough

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the maida, sugar, and salt. Whisk them together.
   • Add 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil to the flour mixture and rub it in with your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add lukewarm water, mixing as you go, until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough to a clean work surface.
   • Knead the dough for 12-15 minutes. Stretch, fold, and press the dough until it transforms from sticky to incredibly soft, smooth, and elastic. It should pass the 'windowpane test' (a small piece can be stretched thin enough to see light through it without tearing).
2. 2

   First Rest

   • Form the dough into a ball. Coat it generously with 1 tablespoon of oil.
   • Place it back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to 4 hours at room temperature. This step is crucial for relaxing the gluten.
3. 3

   Portion and Second Rest

   • After resting, gently punch down the dough and knead for another minute.
   • Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls. Coat each ball with oil.
   • Cover the dough balls and let them rest for another 15-20 minutes. This second rest makes them easier to roll out.
4. 4

   Stretch and Create Layers

   • Generously oil your work surface. Take one dough ball and flatten it with your fingers.
   • Using a rolling pin, roll it out as thinly as possible into a large, translucent circle or rectangle. The shape doesn't matter, but the thinness does.
   • Drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons of oil over the entire surface of the stretched dough.
   • Starting from one edge, lift and fold the dough to create thin pleats, like an accordion or a paper fan, until you have a long, pleated rope.
   • Gently hold one end of the rope and tap the other end on the counter, stretching it slightly to make it longer.
   • Roll this pleated rope into a tight spiral, like a snail shell. Tuck the loose end underneath the spiral.
   • Repeat for all dough balls. Let these spirals rest for 10 minutes before cooking.
5. 5

   Cook the Parottas

   • Take one rested spiral and place it on the oiled surface. Gently flatten it with your palm or a rolling pin into a circle about 5-6 inches in diameter. Do not press too hard, as this will merge the layers.
   • Heat a tawa or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Place the parotta on the hot tawa. Cook for about 30-45 seconds until small bubbles appear, then flip.
   • Drizzle a teaspoon of oil around the edges and on top of the parotta.
   • Cook for 2-3 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula and flipping every 30 seconds, until both sides are golden brown with crispy spots.
   • Repeat for the remaining parottas, adding oil for each one.
6. 6

   Fluff and Serve

   • Remove the hot parotta from the tawa. Place it on a clean surface.
   • While it's still very hot, use both hands to clap or scrunch the parotta from the sides towards the center. This action is key to separating the layers and making it flaky.
   • Serve immediately with your favorite curry, such as salna, kurma, or a spicy Chettinad gravy.

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