burmese paratha
htut thayar palata (hundred layer paratha)
My cousin, Khin Khin Lat, suggested we spend the last couple of days in Rangoon eating our way through the food that we would not have time to cook ourselves. Being located down town there were no shortage of choices.
Breakfast started fairly early; the best time of day when it was still cool enough to explore the numerous food stalls. We headed towards the Indian quarter as I wanted Christopher to try pea pyote and palata, our first of many breakfasts that day.
We sat outside sipping sweet milky tea while watching the palata being made. There were three men in the tiny kitchen that opened out onto the street. One to stretch and fold the palata, the other to fry and the third to assemble the dish before it arrived on our table.
I was particularly interested to see how the layers were created as there are several methods which I explain below. The palata were cut into quarters and served with a large spoonful of sweet pe pyote.
ingredients
400g plain (all purpose) flour
½ teaspoon salt
20g caster (superfine) sugar
30g butter
1 egg, beaten
50ml milk
150ml water
peanut oil for greasing & frying
Sieve flour into a mixing bowl. Add salt, sugar and butter. Rub butter until it resembles bread crumbs. Make a well in the middle, add egg and milk. Then gradually add water while mixing with hand until it comes together to a sticky dough.
Turn out onto a well-oiled non-stick work surface and knead for 10 minutes. You will find the dough gradually becoming soft and elastic.
Divide into 8 portions and roll into balls with well-oiled hands. Put on a plate and cover with cling film. Leave to rest for at least an hour. You can make this a day in advance and leave the dough in the fridge over night.
When you are ready to use, (if using from the fridge, take out well in advance so the dough is at room temperature) grease the work surface and hands with oil. Take a dough ball and with a palm press down to flatten then stretch into a circular shape. The important thing here to make sure the dough is as thin as can be, almost see through. Brush oil over the dough.
There are serveral of ways of creating the layers:
- Simplest is to fold two ends over so it becomes an elongated shape. Fold over opposite sides to create a square. This will not create many layers.
- Similar to Chinese pancakes, cut from the centre of the circle to the other edge. Take one edge and roll around the circle to form a cone. Put the cone upright and press down with palm to create a disc again.
- I’ve seen this third method in Burma as well as the Roti makers in Malaysia. Fold two sides of the circle inward to create an rough rectangle. Pick up both ends of the length, stretch to form a long rope and wind into a ball. Flatten the dough again into a disc with the palm.
Once the folding is done, cover with a damp cloth so that a skin does not form on the surface.
Heat a generous amount of oil in a non-stick frying fan. On moderate heat fry one at a time until golden brown, flip and cook the other side. Serve while they are hot with sweet pea paste.
For a savoury version, reduce the amount of sugar and serve with a curry or lentil dhal.
Makes: 8
Cooking time: 45 mins excludes resting dough
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
Posted by: Cho May 22nd, 2009.
Tags: bread, paratha, savoury snacks, sweet snacks
Comments: 11
comments
Comment from Li Yi
Time June 2, 2009 at 3:35 am
Really appreciate all the authentic recipes you’ve posted. It’s quite difficult to get your hands on Burmese recipes here in Australia. Like you mentioned - there’s only really one restaurant in Sydney (Strathfield).
I was wondering if you have a recipe for Pe Pyote?
Comment from Li Yi
Time June 2, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Hi Cho (again),
I tried making paratha from your recipe above and had problems stretching/rolling the dough out into a thin circular shape after making the “layers” according to the 3rd method. Do you know what I might be doing wrong? The dough is very resistant after being wound into a ball…perhaps there was not enough water?
I left about less than 50mL of the water out of the original dough mixture because I thought it might have made it too sticky/wet.
By the way, I made the “slow-cooked duck curry” dish from your recipe, except I used chicken thighs and it turned out exquisite! I had never tasted chicken in curry that’s so tender! I am looking forward to your book coming out in Melbourne and will definitely order it. But why is it not available in Sydney?
Thanks!
Comment from Cho
Time June 3, 2009 at 2:53 am
Hi Li Yi
Pe pyote is really easy to do, just need to find the right beans thought I have often used chickpeas as a substitute. Will email you more details.
The palata dough needs to be fairly wet…and the kneading will make it elastic and stretchy. Hope that helps.
- Cho
Comment from Masha
Time June 3, 2009 at 1:15 pm
my mom told me to get beans in the chinese supermarket to make pe-pyoke and they gave me soya beans now Im stuck with big container full of soya beans any suggestion? if you have any ideas.
Love your website Ma Cho, really enjoy looking through it. keep up the good work. thanks.
Comment from Cho
Time June 9, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hi Masha
Best place to find the right pe is from Indian supermarket… I’ll see if I can find any good soya bean recipes.
- Cho
Comment from Esther
Time July 16, 2009 at 11:17 am
Dear Cho,
I would like to have the recipe of Pe Pyote if you dont mind.
I have been trying and till now never success yet…… I ordered bean from Burma, but my pe pyote is still not eatable… how good I am.
Thanks in advance
Comment from Cho
Time July 23, 2009 at 6:47 am
Hi Esther
That’s great you’ve managed to get the right beans. It’s been difficult to find and I have been using chickpeas instead. You need to soak the beans overnight and boil them with a little baking soda. I’ll email you with more details.
Best wishes,
Cho
Comment from Dianne
Time August 19, 2009 at 11:39 am
Hi Cho,
Your book is amazing! I just received the two copies I ordered (one for me and one for my Mum and Dad). My Dad is Burmese (from Rangoon too) and he is going to love his copy!
I am having a Burmese family feast in two weeks and I just know you will be getting more orders for your book from everyone in my very large extended family. Many thanks! XXX
Comment from 3hungrytummies
Time October 14, 2009 at 2:19 am
This is great! I’ll add this to my roti collection! thanks for the recipe
Comment from Khin
Time January 20, 2010 at 5:17 am
Hi Cho
HOw’re You?
Thanks for all your recipes… great help even though I haven’t tried all of them. I am wondering if I can also get a copy of pae pyot recipe. Thanks again and appreciate your help!!! It’s been a pleasure surfing through your site!
Best regards
Khin
Comment from Christelle
Time May 27, 2009 at 1:25 am
Burma is a country I really want to visit, it is very high on my list, thanks for giving me an ‘avant-gout’!