The Dough

1. Mix the yeast with half the water and little sugar and set it aside till it begins to froth.
2. Mix the flour with salt, remaining milk, sugar, water, butter and all the dry spices and mix well.
3. Add the yeast mixture and knead into dough. It will be a bit sticky so you can dust it with some dry flour and keep kneading till it becomes stretchy and pliable.
4. Oil the sides of a bowl and keep the dough in it. Coat the dough with a little oil, cover and let the dough rise- for about 3-4 hours. If the weather is warm then it will rise in about 1 hour.

The tricks & shapes

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it a few times and knead again till it feels soft and airy.
2. Divide equally into 15-16 parts. I made 3 different types of bread out of this- just for fun..
3. Simple buns: Use 6-8 parts of the dough and shape them into small rounds. Brush with a little oil and keep aside
4. Mini twisted cheesers: Take a part and divide into 3 parts. Using yours palms to roll each part into a long rod. Stick all the rods from the top and braid them, as you braid hair. Brush with oil, sprinkle some grated cheese and keep aside.
5. Pickle wheels: Take a part of the dough. Roll it out flat. The dough is quite elastic and you can use your hand to shape it into a rectangle. Spread a little pickle mixture (any Indian pickle- I used spicy mango) and some grated cheese, Roll up the dough. Cut into 4-5 small discs. Brush with oil and keep aside.
6. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees C.
7. Layer a tray with aluminum foil and bake the breads for 25-30 minutes till they are a little brown on top.
8. Serve hot!