Lauki na Thepla / Spiced indian flat bread

Theplas are popular Gujarati  spiced flatbread .They are a very important part of the Gujarati diet.Theplas keep for a  few days and so are a popular choice to carry on long distance train journeys.Also a good option for picnics and lunch boxes.Theplas are usually had with chunda,a variety of Gujarati pickle made with raw mango and jaggery.Different varities are available in stores.

The first time i had theplas was a decade back!! It was in a food festival in college that i first tasted these thin chapathi like item and i loved it.During food festivals in college i used to be at the non-south indian counters.My friends used to tell me that i should get married to a north indian and actually i did .Actually one of my friends from school also used to say this and actually i never thought i would.I think my friends knew me better!!LOL!!
Sometime back i decided to make theplas at home and told Navin about it. His immediate reaction was " I don't like theplas." So one day i reduced the spice content and made them for lunch.And  he said " your chapathis are very soft today.Make it like this  everyday" and my reaction was " that is not chapathi..that is thepla.. gotcha!!' When making theplas the dough is made using curds and no water and adding spices to it.I had done the same but reduced the spices.So this is how i introduced theplas at home.And now its a regular item.(Next is hiding oats in various forms;) )Navin loved these lauki(dhoodhi/gia/chorakka/bottlegourd) theplas.Actually earlier gia tamatar and gia chane ki dal are two dishes that i learnt at his home.These were regular there.I also used to make these often and once in a while gia kofta curry.But i like variety and so i wanted to include other recipes with bottlegourd and that's how lauki na thepla made an entry.Do you have some other interesting recipes with bottlegourd??Do suggest :)


Adding bottlegourd to theplas is a very healthy choice.What’s making this veggie popular these days is its enormous impact on the treatment of high blood pressure and heart disease. The myriad of health benefits of bottle gourd is least known to many, yet unknowingly it is consumed in majority of the Indian families because of the low price tag it carries in the vegetable market and its wide availability. Benefits after the recipe.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour-2 cups plus some for rolling theplas
Grated bottlegourd- 1 cup
Yoghurt-3-4 tablesppons(varies according to water content in bottlegourd)
Oil-2tbspn
Ajwain(carom seeds)-1/2 tspn
Turmeric powder-1/2tspn
Red chilli powder-1tspn( you can use green chillies)
Kasoori methi-3-4 tbspns
Salt to taste
Ghee/oil for cooking

How i made it?

Combine all ingredients and knead into a soft smooth dough.Adjust the content of yoghurt according to the water content in bottlegourd.So add yoghurt little by little.
Divide the dough into  small equal portions and roll out into  thin circles like chapathis.
You can dust flour to roll theplas.But do not add too much as the theplas will become too dry.
Heat a tava(griddle) and cook each thepla on both sides applying oil or ghee till each side turns golden brown. and has the dark brown spots. 

Traditionally theplas are served with chunda but you can serve with curds or any other pickle of your choice.

Benefits of bottlegourd

 Bottle gourd is believed to help the liver function in a balanced fashion.

 The juice from the leaves help cure jaundice and the juice from the gourd helps reduce graying of hair. 

 The gourd juice, helps treat burning sensation in the urinary passage if consumed with lime juice.

 It reduces fatigue and keeps you fresh, especially during summer. 

 It helps fight constipation, as it is fiber rich. Because of its fiber and low fat content, Ayurveda highly recommends this food for diabetic patients and young children.

 Ayurveda also recommends the juice of this gourd in the treatment of acidity, indigestion and ulcers as it serves as an alkaline mixture.

 Indian traditional medicine claims that bottle gourd acts as a nerve tonic and can help improve obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This claim has been confirmed by a study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Research where the investigators found that the plant possesses anti-compulsive (anti-OCD) activity although they are not certain about the mechanism of action of this plant.

 Bottle gourd is also considered one of the best weight loss foods since it is 96 percent water and provides just 12 calories per 100g of serving.

 It is rich in, thiamin, vitamin C, zinc, iron and magnesium thus helping in improving overall health.

 The juice from bottle gourd leaf helps in curing baldness and aids in preventing tooth decay.

Source:www.medindia.net