Whatever the weather, there is something comforting about eating kulchas. What makes it even better is that kulchas can be enjoyed in so many ways! You can stuff it with all sorts of fillings - from cheese and garlic to paneer and veggies. We also eat buttered or plain kulchas with gravies or vegetable preparations. In this case, kulchas are just another bread option, like naan or paratha. But there are some dishes which taste best only when you eat them with kulchas. This weekend, why not try some of these pairings for yourself? We have put together a list of 5 classic kulcha-gravy combinations for you to indulge in this weekend. Check them out below:
What To Pair With Kulcha | 5 Best Dishes To Serve With Kulcha
1. Matar Kulcha
Matar Kulcha is one of the most popular street foods in North India, especially in Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. This yummy combination consists of combining (unstuffed) kulchas with matra, a spiced preparation made using white peas (also called vatana). To make this dish, cook soaked white peas/ matra in a pressure cooker along with water, ghee, salt and ginger. Once cooked through, add spices such as black pepper, cardamom, coriander powder, and mango powder. Mix well and allow to cook for some more time. Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle chopped coriander on top. Click here for the full recipe for Matra.
Matar kulcha is a superb food combination you must try. Photo Credit: iStock
Plain kulchas are also extremely simple to make. To make the dough, mix flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, curd and oil. You can also add prepared yeast to it. Knead using lukewarm water and then cover the dough with a wet cloth. Let it sit for around 2 hours. Later, knead some more and then break off small balls. Flatten using a rolling pin and sprinkle sesame and coriander seeds on top. Cook the kulchas on a non-stick tawa or bake them in an oven, until they turn golden brown on both sides. Click here for the full recipe.
2. Amritsari Kulcha with Pindi Chole
A classic Punjabi breakfast and famed street food, Amritsari Kulcha with Pindi Chole is a match made in heaven. Both parts of this combination pack a delicious punch. While there's nothing stopping you from enjoying the Chole with plain kulchas, don't give up on Amritsari kulcha before you've tasted it. Amritsari Kulcha is made by stuffing a regular kulcha with a filling of potato, onion, green chilli and some spices (This is done before the kulcha is cooked). Click here for the full recipe for Amritsari Kulcha.
Amritsari kulcha is a special type of stuffed kulcha, often eaten with Pindi Chole. Photo Credit: iStock
Pindi Chole is a traditional preparation of chickpeas. Pindi Chole has a tomato-onion base, but the chickpeas are cooked with a range of spices like haldi, chilli, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, garam masala, cumin powder and many more! Click here for the full recipe for Amritsari Pindi Chole.
3. Masala Channa with Kulcha
Masala channa is a simple and yummy dish that you can enjoy with kulcha. Photo Credit: iStock
If you cannot manage to make Amritsari Kulchas on time, try cooking masala channa to go with your plain kulchas. This channa preparation is similar to the chole one, but here the gravy itself contains aloo. To make masala channa, first, boil channa with a few spices. In the meanwhile prepare a homemade masala by blending common spices. (Ingredient list here). Add the masala along with sauteed ginger and garlic to the channa and mix well. In a separate pan, cook tomatoes, potatoes, green and chillies with haldi and chilli powder. Then mix these veggies with the channa preparation. Click here for the full recipe for Masala Channa.
4. Paneer Butter Masala/ Butter Chicken with Garlic Kulcha
Scoop up a rich gravy like paneer butter masala or paneer makhani with your kulchas!
Another yummy choice is pairing a butter-based gravy with your kulcha. While non-vegetarians can opt for their world-famous Butter Chicken (Click here for easy recipe), vegetarians can opt for the equally delicious Paneer Butter Masala. You first need to shallow-fry chunks of paneer in salt and chilli powder. Next, prepare a thick gravy with butter, onions, tomatoes and spices. Add the paneer to the gravy and mix well. This dish sounds simple, but tastes amazing! Click here for the full recipe and ingredient list for Paneer Butter Masala. You can pair this gravy with a garlic kulcha. There is no complex recipe for this one: All you have to do is stuff a little bit of chopped garlic into your kulcha before cooking it. Alternatively, you can simply spread garlic butter on top of your plain kulcha!
(Also Read: Butter Chicken Kulcha: This Lip-Smacking Chicken Recipe Is Perfect For Weekend Indulgence)
5. Dhaba-Style Chicken Gravy with Kulcha
Dhaba-style chicken gravy is a spicy preparation that will not disappoint. Photo Credit: iStock
If you're looking for a different kind of chicken gravy to scoop with your kulcha, try this dhaba-style chicken gravy. While butter chicken is sometimes slightly sweet, this dhaba-sty;e chicken is a spicy treat. You first need to make a marinade by blending onion, garlic, ginger and green chillies. To prepare the gravy itself, make a spiced onion-tomato base mixed with a little bit of dahi. Don't forget to add hot tadka at the end! Click here for the full recipe for Dhaba-Style Chicken.
Putting this list together has already made us impatient for the weekend. Which combo are you going to try first?
(Also Read: 5 Amazing Stuffed Kulcha Recipes That Will Amp Up Your Meal)