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Tibetan fried bread
Balep (बलेप): puffed Tibetan fried bread from the lodges of Kathmandu and the Himalaya
Trekkers in the Everest and Annapurna regions, and early risers in Kathmandu's Boudha neighbourhood, know this bread: rounds of dough slashed down the middle and fried until they puff, golden outside and soft inside. Tibetan families eat it with honey or jam, with a bowl of potato or chickpea curry, and with salty butter tea. The mistake is rolling the dough too thin; at about 1 cm thick it stays tender, while thin dough fries into a hard cracker. Chef's tip: let the shaped rounds rest for 10 minutes before frying so the gluten relaxes and the bread balloons evenly.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 14 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup lukewarm waterabout
- 3 cups neutral oilfor frying
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 14 oz plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp sugar and ½ tsp salt. Add 1 cup lukewarm water gradually and knead for 5 minutes into a soft, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
5 minStep 2: Divide into 6 balls and roll each into a round about 12 cm across and 1 cm thick. Cut two parallel slits in the centre with a sharp knife. Rest for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Heat 3 cups neutral oil in a deep pan to 350°F, until a scrap of dough rises with lively bubbles.
Step 4: Fry one or two breads at a time for 2–3 minutes a side, spooning oil over the top, until puffed and golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper.
20 minStep 5: Serve warm with honey, jam or a vegetable curry, and tea.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tibetan fried bread take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 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.
- 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 baking powder?
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar per 1 tsp.
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