RECIPES
Chatpata Swag from Nani’s Bag!
BREADS AND ROTI'S
🫓 Madua ki Roti – Nani’s Way
“Kya gluten, kya diet plan – Nani toh tab se Madua bana rahi hai jab ‘gluten-free’ fashion mein bhi nahi tha!”
🌾 What You’ll Need (aka Nani’s shopping thaila)
1 cup Madua ka aata (Finger millet flour – the brown, earthy one)
¼ cup gehu ka aata (Nani says: “thoda gehu daal le beta, warna toot jaayegi roti!”)
Warm water (not thanda, warna nahi milega pyaar wala soft dough)
Pinch of namak
Ghee (Nani rule #1: Ghee = Emotion)
🍲 How Nani Does It
1. Sab mila do
Take Madua, wheat flour, and salt. Mix with fingers like you’re gossiping with the dough – gently, lovingly.
2. Garam paani daalo – thoda thoda
Start kneading with warm water. Don’t pour all at once like your cousin at a wedding buffet. Go slow. Madua doesn’t like drama.
3. Gundh le, par pyaar se
Knead into a soft dough. It might act a bit ziddi and crumbly – but so does Nani when she doesn’t get her morning chai.
4. Aram do, fir kaam lo
Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest. Nani says everything, even dough, needs “thoda sa sukoon”.
5. Lo ban gaya gola – ab bana roti
Make small dough balls. Flatten using hands or belan. Madua roti is not perfect round like city rotis – it’s got pahadi personality!
6. Tawa time
Cook on hot tawa. Flip once brown spots appear. Press gently with a spatula to help it puff like your Nani’s cheeks when you don’t call her.
7. Ghee lagao, khushboo udao
Spread ghee generously. Let it melt. Let the aroma float through your kitchen like Nani humming old songs.
🍛 Serve it with…
Jakhya Aloo
Bhang ki Chutney
Mooli ka Raita
Or just plain ghee + a pinch of pahadi salt
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Madua ka aata rakho ek tight dabbe mein. Nahi toh nami aayegi aur roti tootegi, jaise mere armaan jab tu lunch skip karta hai.” 💔🍽️
🫓 Gahat ki Roti – Straight from Nani’s Belan
“Is roti ke andar sirf dal nahi, pura Himalaya ka swag bhara hota hai.”
🌿 What You’ll Need (Nani’s trusted pantry picks)
For the dough:
1 cup gehu ka aata (wheat flour)
Warm water (enough to knead)
Pinch of salt
For the stuffing:
½ cup Gahat dal (Kulthi / Horse gram), soaked overnight
2-3 garlic cloves
1 inch ginger
1 green chilli (optional – Nani says “jo jalegi, wo khayegi”)
Salt to taste
Pinch of hing
A little ghee or oil for cooking
🍲 How Nani Rolls (Literally)
1. Raat ki tayari, subah ka magic
Soak Gahat dal overnight. In the morning, boil it until soft. Drain and mash coarsely – not paste, thoda texture chahiye.
2. Tadka time!
In a kadhai, heat ghee. Add hing, then ginger, garlic, and green chilli. Sauté till fragrant. Add mashed dal and salt. Cook till it dries a bit. Let it cool.
3. Aata gundo – with patience & pyaar
Mix wheat flour, salt, and warm water. Knead into a soft dough. Cover and rest it like Nani rests after her favorite serial.
4. Stuff, seal, roll (gently!)
Make small dough balls. Flatten a bit, add a spoonful of the stuffing, pinch to seal, and carefully roll into thick paratha-style rotis.
5. Tawa time!
Cook on a hot tawa till golden brown on both sides. Apply ghee generously. Nani says, “Dry roti? Not in this house.”
🍽️ Serve With
Mooli ka raita
Bhang ki chutney
Lahsun-tamatar ki chutney
Or just dahi and peace ✨
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Gahat thanda padta hai pet ke liye – isiliye thoda hing zaroor daalna, warna tum log toh sirf memes digest karte ho.” 😌💨
🫓 Chana ka Paratha – Nani ke haathon ka powerhouse
“Protein ka booster aur swaad ka superstar – isse kha ke toh seedha kheton mein bail ki tarah daud lagti thi!”
🌾 What You’ll Need (Nani’s trusted stash)
For the stuffing:
1 cup Chana dal (soaked 3–4 hours and boiled till soft)
1–2 green chillies, finely chopped
1-inch ginger, grated
1 small onion, chopped (optional – Nani says, “Bas shaadi ke baad daalna shuru kiya tha”)
Fresh coriander, chopped
½ tsp jeera
¼ tsp haldi
Salt to taste
A pinch of hing
Ghee/oil for cooking
For the dough:
1½ cups wheat flour (gehu ka aata)
Warm water
Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Nani’s Special Method
1. Dal ki tayari
Boil the soaked chana dal until soft (but not mushy). Drain well. Let it cool and mash lightly.
2. Masala mix
In a pan, add a spoon of oil, jeera, hing, and then ginger, chilli, onion. Add mashed dal, haldi, and salt. Cook till mixture is dry and fragrant. Mix coriander in and cool completely.
3. Gundo dough
Knead wheat flour, salt, and warm water into a soft dough. Let it rest. (Nani says: “Let the dough breathe, beta!”)
4. Stuff like a pro
Make dough balls. Roll slightly, place a spoonful of stuffing in the center, seal it up, and roll again gently. A little tearing? Nani says, “That’s character, not a mistake.”
5. Tandoori moment
Cook on hot tawa. Flip when golden. Smear ghee generously till it gets that toasty crisp.
🍛 Best served with…
Curd + pickle
Lehsun chutney
Baingan bharta
Or just straight from the tawa into your hand with a “haan haan, bas ek aur!”
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
Ah, Jhangore ki Roti – the most delicate diva of all pahadi breads! 🌾
Soft, light, and naturally gluten-free, this one’s the shy but secretly powerful cousin in Nani’s roti lineup.
🫓 Jhangore ki Roti – Nani’s Soft Spoken Supergrain Star
“Is roti mein na drama hai, na gluten. Sirf halke-pan ka heavy impact.”
🌿 What You’ll Need (Nani’s secret stash)
1 cup Jhangora (Barnyard millet) – ground into fine flour OR Jhangore ka aata
2 tbsp gehu ka aata (optional – Nani’s jugaad for binding)
Warm water (for kneading)
Pinch of salt
Ghee – because pahadi kitchens don’t function without it
👩🍳 How Nani Handles This Delicate Roti
1. Pehle aata banao (if needed)
If you’re starting with whole Jhangora, dry roast it lightly and grind to make flour. Else, use ready Jhangore ka aata.
2. Milaao sab kuch pyaar se
Take Jhangora flour, a little wheat flour (optional), salt. Mix it gently like you’re handling Nani’s old glass pickle jars.
3. Paani daalo, par sambhal ke
Add warm water slowly to form a soft dough. Don’t overdo it – Jhangora is moody and gets sticky fast!
4. Thoda rest, thoda patience
Let the dough rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Humble grains need time to settle.
5. Roll, press, or pat
Make small dough balls. Roll gently (if possible) or press between palms or baking paper. This roti is not here to impress with roundness.
6. Tawa pe sekho – dhyan se
Place on hot tawa. Cook both sides till light brown spots appear. Be extra gentle while flipping – this isn’t your usual wheat roti.
7. Ghee chhapo like you mean it
Brush with ghee immediately. Jhangore ki roti drinks it in like gossip during chai time.
🍽️ Pair it with…
Kafuli
Gahat ki daal
Jakhya aloo
Or Nani’s homemade ghee + jaggery
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Jhangore ki roti kamzor nahi hoti – bas nazuk hai. Jaise main. Par andar se strong – jaise main.” 😌💪
Want a full “Pahadi Roti Darbaar” web section with scroll cards and recipe buttons? I can design it in Nani’s flavor-packed voice!
🫓 Jhangore ki Roti – Nani’s Soft Spoken Supergrain Star
“Is roti mein na drama hai, na gluten. Sirf halke-pan ka heavy impact.”
🌿 What You’ll Need (Nani’s secret stash)
1 cup Jhangora (Barnyard millet) – ground into fine flour OR Jhangore ka aata
2 tbsp gehu ka aata (optional – Nani’s jugaad for binding)
Warm water (for kneading)
Pinch of salt
Ghee – because pahadi kitchens don’t function without it
👩🍳 How Nani Handles This Delicate Roti
1. Pehle aata banao (if needed)
If you’re starting with whole Jhangora, dry roast it lightly and grind to make flour. Else, use ready Jhangore ka aata.
2. Milaao sab kuch pyaar se
Take Jhangora flour, a little wheat flour (optional), salt. Mix it gently like you’re handling Nani’s old glass pickle jars.
3. Paani daalo, par sambhal ke
Add warm water slowly to form a soft dough. Don’t overdo it – Jhangora is moody and gets sticky fast!
4. Thoda rest, thoda patience
Let the dough rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Humble grains need time to settle.
5. Roll, press, or pat
Make small dough balls. Roll gently (if possible) or press between palms or baking paper. This roti is not here to impress with roundness.
6. Tawa pe sekho – dhyan se
Place on hot tawa. Cook both sides till light brown spots appear. Be extra gentle while flipping – this isn’t your usual wheat roti.
7. Ghee chhapo like you mean it
Brush with ghee immediately. Jhangore ki roti drinks it in like gossip during chai time.
🍽️ Pair it with…
Kafuli
Gahat ki daal
Jakhya aloo
Or Nani’s homemade ghee + jaggery
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Jhangore ki roti kamzor nahi hoti – bas nazuk hai. Jaise main. Par andar se strong – jaise main.” 😌💪
🫓 Bhatt ki Roti – Nani’s Bold Black Beauty
“Na rang se daro, na swaad se. Bhatt ki roti ka colour bhi kadak, taste bhi kadak!”
🌿 What You’ll Need (Straight from Nani’s smoky pantry)
1 cup Bhatt ka aata (black soybean flour – earthy & dark)
2–3 tbsp gehu ka aata (optional – helps bind, unless you’re in full warrior mode)
Warm water (for kneading)
Salt to taste
Ghee for roasting and serving
👩🍳 Nani’s Method – With Extra Personality
1. Aata taiyaar karo
If you have whole Bhatt (black soybeans):
Dry roast until nutty aroma comes
Cool and grind to make fresh flour
(Or use ready-made Bhatt flour if you’re in a hurry and Nani isn’t watching)
2. Mix it all
In a bowl, mix Bhatt ka aata + wheat flour + salt.
Nani says: “Gehu thoda daal le, warna yeh roti akele mein toot jaayegi jaise chhoti bua ki shaadi ka rishta.”
3. Paani daalo dheere se
Add warm water slowly and knead into a soft, slightly sticky dough. This flour is grainy and heavy — handle with patience.
4. Rest karne do
Cover and rest the dough for 10–15 minutes. Let it calm down after the kneading drama.
5. Roll/pat gently
Make small dough balls. Either roll with light hands or pat into rotis using your palms and dry flour. Don’t aim for circles. Aim for character.
6. Tawa time
Cook both sides on a hot tawa until you see deep brown spots and a rich nutty smell fills the air. Brush ghee on both sides.
🍛 Best With
Bhaang ki chutney
Jakhiya aloo
Plain ghee + salt
And a smug expression (because no one else knows this roti exists)
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Bhatt ki roti na har kisi ke bas ki baat hai. Isse sambhal ke banao, ghee se sajao, aur dil se khao.” 🖤🔥
🍛🫓 Thechwani & Roti – Pahad’s Power Couple
“Ek taraf Thechwani ka teekha swaad, doosri taraf roti ka sukoon – yeh pairing hai asli pahadi romance.”
🌶️ What is Thechwani?
Thechwani comes from the Kumaoni word “thinchna”, meaning “to crush.”
It’s a rustic, spicy curry made with crushed radish (mooli) or pahadi potatoes, simmered with mustard seeds, garlic, turmeric, and love.
The texture? Thick, coarse, and soul-hugging.
The aroma? Enough to make the whole gali ask “aaj kya ban raha hai?”
The taste? A delightful kick that stays with you longer than your cousin’s wedding video.
🫓 Which Rotis Go Best with Thechwani?
🟤 Mandua ki Roti
Earthy and slightly nutty
Balances the heat of Thechwani beautifully
Soaks up the gravy like it’s born for it
Nani says: “Thechwani aur mandua ka rishta toh mooli aur mirchi jaisa hai – teekha bhi, sacha bhi!”
⚫ Bhatt ki Roti
Bold, dense, and flavorful
Stands up to Thechwani’s spice punch
Looks dramatic, tastes fantastic
Perfect for “black roti, fiery curry, and a rainy afternoon” mood.
🟢 Jhangore ki Roti
Light, delicate, and calming
A cooling match for Thechwani’s strong flavors
Nani says: “Jhangora roti uss bahu jaisi hai jo sasural ke sab teekhe logon ko pyaar se sambhal leti hai.”
🟠 Plain Gehu ki Roti or Chana Paratha
If you like it simple or want to stuff your roti with something extra on the side
Gehu roti acts as a neutral base while Thechwani does the talking
🧓🏻 Nani’s Tip of the Day
“Thechwani ka asli swaad tabhi aata hai jab roti se tod tod ke khaya jaye, spoon se nahi. Aur haan, ek piece bacha ke rakhna bhagwan ke liye… ya fridge ke liye.” 😄🙏
“Zindagi mein kabhi namak kam lage,………….Toh Nani ke haath ka jhangora yaad rakhiyo!”
BREAKFASTS AND SNACKS
Lapsi (Meethi Daliya)
Jhangore ki Kheer
Lehsun-Tamatar Chutney + Roti Chips
Bhang ki Chutney
Bhutte ka Bharta on Roti Toast
Rai wale Aloo + Paratha
“Bahar ki cheese shiny ho sakti hai,……..Par asli swaad toh pahadi pantry mein hi milega!”