Luchi (Puffed up Indian Bread - Bong style)

          Luchi is a traditional Bong style deep fried puffed bread made of maida or plain flour. This is a quintessential Sunday breakfast menu in any Bengali household. It is also a favorite of all Bengalis, especially during special occasions and festivals. People, young and old alike, also enjoy it as a popular street food that is found in many corners of the State.

          Luchi with ghugni / cholar dal / aloo dum / kosha mangsho / payesh / halwa or just sugar (the list is endless) is pure divine. You can pick your choice. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

           Besides West Bengal, it is also popular in other North Eastern States of India and Bangladesh too.

          Luchi is quite similar to poori. However the only difference is that the latter is made of atta or whole wheat flour. 

          Made these luchis after ages, as I occasionally indulge in such deep fried delicacies. And whenever I do, I usually stick to whole wheat flour pooris. Anyway, time to dig into these puffed up beauties...

• 2 cups plain flour (maida)
• 1/4 tsp. salt or to taste 
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• lukewarm water to knead
• oil for deep frying

          In a wide bowl, sift the plain flour. Add salt and oil and mix well so that it resembles bread crumbs. Add lukewarm water, little at a time and knead into a smooth dough. 

          Rub some oil all over the dough and cover with a cling film / damp cloth for half an hour. Knead it once again and then divide into equal balls or portions. I could make around 18 luchis.

          Meanwhile heat oil in a deep bottomed kadai / small wok. Grease the chakla & belan (rolling pin & board).

          Take a small portion of the dough or ball, apply few drops of oil over it and roll into a small round shape disc. Roll out few more luchis and keep them ready to be fried.

          Once the oil is hot enough, gently slide the luchi in it and press it gently with a perforated ladle so that it puffs up. Once one side is done, turn over and fry the other side too. 

          Drain on a kitchen towel. Make similar luchis with the rest of the dough and enjoy with ghugni, aloo dum or any side dish. It also goes well with sooji halwa or payesh (kheer).

                                  Add salt and oil to the flour & mix well.  

                    Add lukewarm water, little at a time & knead into a smooth dough. Rub some

                    oil all over the dough and cover with a cling film / damp cloth for half an hour. 

 

                     Take a small portion of the dough or ball, apply few drops of oil over it and

                     roll into a small round shape disc. 

                      Gently slide the luchi in it & press it gently with a perforated ladle so that

                      it puffs up. Once one side is done, turn over and fry the other side too. 

                                  Drain on a kitchen towel.

                       Enjoy with ghugni, aloo dum or any side dish. It also goes well with sooji

                       halwa or payesh (kheer).