Ghobi Parathas (Cauliflower Filled Parathas)

Dough:
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 to 3 cups cold water
3/4 cup ghee

Filling:
2 tablespoons ghee
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground hot red pepper
1 medium cauliflower, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh hot green chile
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
6 to 8 tablespoon ghee

DOUGH: Prepare the whole-wheat dough in the following fashion: In a small bowl, combine the whole-wheat flour and 1/4 cup of the ghee. With your fingertips rub the flour and fat together until they look like flakes of coarse meal. Pour 1 cup of water over the mixture all at once, knead together vigorously, and gather the dough into a compact ball. If the dough crumbles, add up to 2 cups more water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the particles adhere. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough by folding it end to end, then pressing it down and pushing it forward several times with the heel of your hand. Repeat for 7 or 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Again gather it into a ball. Place the dough in a bowl, drape a kitchen towel over the top, and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling it.

CAULIFLOWER FILLING: Meanwhile, in a heavy 10 to 12-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee over high heat until a drop of water flicked into it splutters instantly. Stir in the ginger and garlic, then the onions. Lower the heat to moderate and, stirring constantly, fry the mixture for 7 or 8 minutes, until the onions are soft and golden brown. Watch carefully for any sign of burning and regulate the heat accordingly. Stir in the turmeric, red pepper, cauliflower, chili, cumin and salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly and cook for 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender but still slightly resistant to the bite.

To make the parathas, divide the cauliflower mixture into 9 equal portions. Divide the dough also into 9 portions and drape a dampened kitchen towel over them to keep the dough moist. One at a time, on a lightly floured surface, roll a ball of dough into a round about 5 inches in diameter. Place a portion of the filling mixture in the center of the round and fold the edges over it, pressing them together to enclose the filling securely. Pat the filled paratha flat with your hands, then gently roll it again to make a round about 5 inches in diameter. As you shape and fill the parathas, set them aside, covered with a dampened kitchen towel to keep them from drying out.

Heat an ungreased 10- to 12-inch skillet with a nonstick finish or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or griddle until it is hot enough for a drop of water flicked into it to splutter instantly. Place one of the parathas in the pan and, moving it about constantly with your fingers or the edge of a metal spatula, cook for a minute or so. With a wide spatula, turn the paratha over and brush about a teaspoon of the ghee on the top. Cook for 2 minutes, then turn it over, spread with another teaspoon of ghee and cook for I minute. Turning frequently, continue to cook until the paratha is brown on both sides.

Serve the parathas warm, as a mealtime bread. They are traditionally accompanied by plain yoghurt or any rayta. Parathas may be cooked ahead and reheated in a hot ungreased skillet for a minute or so on each side.

Makes nine 5-inch breads.