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Marchu
मर्चू: Lahauli deep-fried wheat breads made in big batches for Losar and Halda
In the high Lahaul valley, marchu are fried by the basketful before the winter festivals of Halda and Losar, when families visit each other and every house must have a pile ready for guests. They are thick, soft rounds of wheat dough, sometimes lightly sweetened, fried in oil until puffed and golden, and they keep for days in the cold. They are eaten with butter tea or a spicy potato dish. The common mistake is frying in oil that is too hot, which browns the outside before the inside cooks; keep the heat medium. Chef's tip: prick each round twice with a fork so it puffs evenly rather than ballooning on one side.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the dough
- 10 ½ oz wholewheat flour (atta)
- 3 ½ oz plain flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 cup lukewarm waterapproximately
For frying
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 10 ½ oz wholewheat flour (atta), 3 ½ oz plain flour, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp baking powder. Rub in 2 tbsp sunflower oil, then add 1 cup lukewarm water gradually and knead to a firm, smooth dough. Cover and rest 20 minutes.
25 minStep 2: Divide into 16 balls and roll each to a round about 10 cm across and 5 mm thick. Prick twice with a fork.
15 minStep 3: Heat 3 cups sunflower or mustard oil for deep-frying in a deep kadhai, no more than a third full, over medium heat. Drop in a pinch of dough: it should rise in 3 seconds (about 350°F). Stay with the pan the whole time.
5 minStep 4: Slide in 2–3 rounds at a time and fry 2 minutes per side, pressing gently with a slotted spoon, until puffed and evenly golden.
20 minStep 5: Drain on paper and cool completely before storing in a tin; they keep 4–5 days.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does marchu take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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