Description
Crispy fried bread stuffed with a spiced lentil filling. A Bengali street food classic, perfect for a flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups (285 g) boiled lentils
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon asafoetida
- 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon carom seeds
- Water as needed for kneading
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Prepare the Lentil Stuffing
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida, and grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the boiled lentils and lower the heat to medium-low.
- Add turmeric, coriander powder, chili powder, chopped green chilies, and tamarind paste. Stir well.
- Cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the lentils absorb all moisture and become dry and crumbly.
- Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.
Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, carom seeds, salt, and oil.
- Slowly add water, a few tablespoons at a time, while kneading until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
Shape the Daal Poori
- Divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions and roll each into a small ball.
- Lightly dust a rolling surface with flour and roll out each ball into a 3-inch (7.5 cm) disk.
- Place 1 teaspoon of lentil filling in the center.
- Carefully gather the edges of the dough, pinch them together to seal, and form a stuffed ball.
- Gently roll it out again into a 4-5 inch (10-12 cm) circle.
Fry the Poori
- Heat oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F (175°C).
- Test the oil temperature by dropping a small piece of dough—if it rises and sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Carefully slide one poori into the hot oil.
- Using the back of a slotted spoon, gently press the poori as it fries to help it puff up.
- Fry for 30 seconds per side until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Repeat with remaining dough balls.
Serve
- Serve hot with pickles, yogurt, chutney, or a simple potato curry.
Notes
- For a spicier daal, add 2-3 green chilies instead of 1-2.
- To make the dough ahead of time, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before rolling.
- Leftover daal poori can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Deep-Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 pooris
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 0g