Indian flavours

When I first moved to Aberdeen two years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to register for a cooking class at the North East Scottland College, both to improve my cooking skills and to get to know some people outside of work. Unfortunately, the course I registered for was cancelled. This year, I was almost too late, but managed to secure the last spot on the Flavours of the World - Indian cuisine course.

Our first lesson was last Wednesday, but today was the first day we did some proper cooking. Today we made Indian street food; Mumbai pav bhaji masala. The pav is a bread roll and is filled with the masala. It tasted great and will be even better accompanied by a cold beer and the company of good friends.

Pav

(4 large rolls)

Ingredients

250 g plain flour

1 tsp sugar 

1 tsp salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

180 ml milk

20 g butter

(15 g milk powder - optional)

1 tbsp melted butter to glaze

Melt the butter and add the milk and sugar. Heat to body temperature, remove from the heat and add the yeast. Rest for 10 minutes (it should now have developed a bit of froth). Mix the rest of the dry ingredients (flour, salt and milk powder) in a bowl, pour in the milk mixture and combine to a dough. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes. Leave to proof in the bowl covered with cling film for 45 minutes  until it has doubled in size. Knock back the dough and shape it into four elongated, flattened rolls. Place on a buttered baking tin. Cover with cling film and proof for another 30 minutes. Bake at 180-200 C until golden brown. 

Serve with the warm Bhaji Masala.