A Maharashtrian delicacy, prepared on festive occasions. I was lucky enough to have it very often as our neighbours were Maharashtrians. They turned out very soft and tasty, though I could have rolled them a bit thinner maybe. My son however wanted nothing to do with them and requested me to make plain ones without the stuffing. Now what do we do with these kids of today ? !!!!.
For the Puran (filling) : 1 cup split channa dal, 1 cup light jaggery (grated), dash of nutmeg powder, ½ teaspoon cardamom powder, 2 cups water.
For the Dough : 1 cup wheat flour, ½ cup maida or all purpose flower, 2 tablespoons oil, salt to taste.
Wash and soak channa dal in enough water for 4- 5 hours. Add channa dal in pressure cooker, add 2 cups water and pressure cook. When done, mash boiled channa dal, add it to a nonstick pan, add grated jaggery in to it, mix well and cook till mixture becomes thick and starts to leave sides of pan. Cool – then add cardamom powder, a dash of nutmeg and knead softly and keep aside.
For the dough ..take maida, whole wheat flour in to a deep bowl, to that add salt, oil and mix well. Add water little by little and start to knead the dough.
The dough has to be very soft. Cover and leave it to rest for 1 hour.
After it has rested take little oil and start to knead the dough well. Make balls of the dough, flatten a bit and add the Puran to it and cover and seal the edges. Roll just like you would for chappaties.
Heat a pan and fry the Puran Poli on both sides till it is well fried. Remove to a plating dish and serve hot with a dollop of butter on it.
