Homemade Kothu Parotta

Kothu Parota is a common ‘street food’ in Tamil Nadu that's made with chopped parottas. The word 'kothu' literally means 'peck', which contextually translates to chopped. This recipe is just a simple, not-too-spicy version I like to make at home since my kids don’t like spicy food. If you're familiar with different Indian chicken flavours, you can even vary the masala according to your taste and make it spicier by adding chilli powder. 

Ingredients:

6 large parottas, chopped
200g boneless chicken, minced/finely chopped
2 eggs, beaten
4 medium onions, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 green chillis, chopped (can add more, to taste)
1 tsp fennel seed powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp salt (can add more, to taste)
1 tsp pepper (can add more, to taste)
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1-inch piece cinnamon
Coriander leaves, chopped
Mint leaves, chopped
Curry leaves, 2 sprigs
Oil
Mint and coriander leaves, to garnish

Method:

Heat the oil in a non-stick pot and add the cinnamon, green chillis and curry leaves.

Add the onions and some salt, and sauté till the onions are translucent.

Add the ginger and garlic pastes, sauté till cooked.

Add the tomatoes and sauté again, till the tomatoes are soft and pulpy.

Add the chopped mint and coriander leaves, and sauté till they’re just wilted.

Add the turmeric powder and fennel seed powder and sauté again till you smell their flavour. Add some pepper, to taste.

Add the chicken, and sauté till it is well-cooked (I like to add about 1/4 cup of water, turn the heat down to medium-low and keep it covered to simmer for a bit, and then uncover and allow the water to evaporate).

Add the chopped parottas and sauté till everything is well-combined.

In a separate pan, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil over a low-medium flame and pour the beaten eggs, adding a little salt and pepper.

Scramble the eggs, making sure not to over-cook them.

Add the scrambled eggs to the pot with the parotta and mix.

Garnish with mint and coriander leaves.

Tip: for an eggetarian version, replace the chicken with 4 eggs!