Bara Fichajes Recipes

TRINIDAD DOUBLES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, yeast, turmeric and sugar.
• Add lukewarm water gradually and mix to form a very soft, slightlysticky dough. Do not over knead.
• Rub the dough with oil, cover and set aside to rest 1 hour (minimum) or until doubled(max 6 hrs or overnight). The longer it rests, the softer the bara--6 hours is perfect, but if you are in a hurry, 1 hr can work.
• Divide the dough into 16 balls. Cover and allow it to raise another hour or until doubled.
• Rub oil on a flat surface or plate. Place the dough on the oiled surface and flatten to a 6 inch round(oil hands as well) or almost transparent!! Make to your desired thickness and width--keeping in mind it puffs up as it cooks
• Meanwhile heat oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, gently place dough in hot oil and fry on each side until cooked and golden brown--takes seconds if the oil is hot enough. Drain on the side of the pot, using the spoon.
• Place the fried dough (bara) in paper towel or clean kitchen towel, stacking them on each other as they are done frying. This will allow them to flatten, steam and give them the soft, chewy texture we all love--just like the doubles man's! Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve hot with Doubles channa(recipe below).
• Soak chickpeas overnight with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Drain and rinse with several changes of water. Drain again.
• In a pot, add about 6 cups of water and place over medium heat. Add channa, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and scoop out any impurities that rise to the top. Adding more baking soda than this will give it a weird metallic--bakign powder taste.
• When chickpeas are tender, about 1 hour, add minced bandhania, minced garlic and turmeric and mix well. You can also add minced hot pepper.
• Continue to cook for 15-20 minutes or longer if required. During this time, with a wooden spoon, stir, moving back and forth motion to bring it to the right consistency. This will take several minutes for the channa to thicken, so be patient. Doubles will be ready soon!
• Taste for salt and add more if required. To finish, mix in bandhania, amchar massala or ground roasted cumin or a combination. Enjoy with the baras! Can be made ahead--a day before. Can be easily doubled.
• To make the cucumber chutney, mix all ingredients to combine. Taste and add salt and black pepper if required.
• To make the bandhania chutney, place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse to combine. Add salt to your preference. You will need to add water if making it in a blender--just enough to combine,

NEPALI BARA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, soak the lentils overnight. Next day, rinse the soaked lentils thoroughly. If no outer skin of the lentils is desired, you can rub the soaked lentils between your palms and the outer skin will wash off.
• Transfer the washed lentils to a large blender, add a small amount of water, and blend it into a thick paste.
• Transfer the lentil mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the oil, minced garlic, ginger and green chilies. Add turmeric, asafoetida, and salt and pepper. Add the beaten eggs and ground meat. Combine the lentil mixture thoroughly. At this point, it is better to store the lentil mixture in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow for the flavours to fuse.
• For cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a non-stick, thick-bottomed pan or tawa under medium heat. Pour a half cup of the lentil mixture onto the pan and gently spread the mixture into the shape of a mini-pancake. Repeat with other patties, ensuring to not overcrowd the pan so that you can turn over the patties more easily.
• Cook the patties on one side until the edges have crisped up and the patties themselves have attained a golden brown colour. Turn the patties over onto the other side and cook until the patties have cooked and are golden brown. You can use paper towel to remove any excess oil if required.
• Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot with mango chutney or any other condiment.
• It is also common to add an egg topping or a minced meat topping or whatever toppings you desire.
• For convenience, an alternative to cooking your baras in a pan is using a waffle machine. For this, heat up your waffle machine and using oil spray coat the top and bottom surfaces. Pour a half cup of the lentil mixture on the bottom surface, gently spread out the mixture, and close the lid to cook. Cook until the lentil patty is cooked and has attained a golden brown colour, approximately 5-7 minutes. Baking is another healthy way to cook baras.