Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, is known for sharing his unfiltered thoughts on social media. From providing shelter and LPG connection to most recently gifting a SUV to para-archer Sheetal Devi, he has been known as a man of his words. As a true Indian, he has always been promoting Indian business ideas, foods, and local cultures. In one his posts on X, he once shared his love for Indian food and captioned, "Who needs Pizza when you can have...?" Scroll down to read the details.
The post shared on December 17, 2023, featured the preparation of a giant paratha and Anand Mahindra captioned it, ""Who needs Pizza when you can have Paratha...?" In the video, we see a man adding a large heap of stuffing onto the flattened dough. He brings the edges together, dusts flour on top and begins to roll out the paratha. Once done, he folds it twice and places it on top of an enormous circular tawa. He opens it again to its full size and cooks it on both sides. Later, the paratha is cut into equal slices (like a pizza) and served with chutney, curd, and pickle. Take a look at the post below.
Anand Mahindra's sentiments connected with many users including Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan. The actor replied to the post with "Truth!"
What is a Paratha?
According to Taste Atlas, "Golden-brown in color, flaky and layered, paratha is a type of Indian bread that is typically consumed for breakfast. The name comes from a combination of words parat and atta (flour), referring to the cooked, layered dough. It consists of whole wheat flour that is baked in ghee (Indian clarified butter) and comes in round, triangular, square, or heptagonal shapes. Parathas are often stuffed with ingredients such as boiled potatoes, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, chili, paneer, or radish. They are sometimes accompanied by pickles, yogurt, homemade chutneys, or meat and vegetable curries. In Punjab, paratha is traditionally paired with lassi, a popular yogurt-based drink. Although the flatbread originated in Peshawar, Pakistan, it has spread throughout India where it can be found at numerous street stands and roadside eateries. The southern Indian version is called parotta. Another way of eating paratha is to roll it into a pipe and dip it into tea.
What makes paratha a comfort food?
Well, we all know that pizza as an Italian delight is addictive, but when it comes to parathas, they are even more addictive and one cannot stop with one. But, what makes it so addictive and comforting? Let us find out.
Comfort food at its best: According to experts, paratha is an extension of roti, as they both use the same flour. It is just that the parathas are made richer with a spiced stuffing, which makes it feel familiar and satisfying. It’s warm, filling, and often associated with home-cooked meals and that is the reason people of all age groups have a natural gravitate toward it.
Endless variety: From aloo and paneer to gobhi and even pudina, the options for parathas are nearly limitless. Also, one can customize it on the basis of taste, season, or dietary needs, which also makes it appealing to all types of eaters. And if you are not into stuffed parathas, the concept of plain and crunchy parathas is also a smart choice. Simply, combine flour, salt, oil/ghee, ajwain seeds and red chilli powder, knead the dough, roll the parathas and cook. They pair really well with pickle and masala chai on the side. Also, one can tweak them into exotic treats like paratha pizza too. Simply top them with cheese, pizza sauce, and veggies of your choice. Bake and enjoy. It is mostly loved by kids.
Works for any meal: While parathas are often associated with breakfast, but let us accept it, one can have parathas for any meal. For breakfast it goes well with curd and pickle, for lunch, you can add a curry on the side, for evening snacking a cup of tea compliments it and for dinner add a bowl of raita and you are sorted.
Easy to make: Also, making paratha is an easy task. One simply needs to knead a dough, roll out parathas and it can be done in a jiffy. If you are not into heavy ones, non-stuffed parathas made with flour, salt, and carom seeds, can also make for a smart and easy choice.
Balanced and filling: Also, a well-made paratha offers a mix of carbs, fats, and sometimes protein, which makes it both energizing and satisfying, keeping hunger at bay for longer.
Easy to carry: Parathas are also very easy to carry for tiffin and travel. They are dry and can be easily packed in foil and there is no risk of leakage, which makes it apt to carry in hand luggage of office and school bag as well. It can be rolled and enjoyed as a meal. If it is too bland, simply spread some pickle masala and roll, it is good to go. Have you tried it yet?
Versatile: Paratha is a very versatile dish. From breakfast to dinner, it can be consumed in any meal. For dinner it goes well with a curry on the side. And if you want to enjoy it for breakfast, add curd and pickle on the dish. It also makes for a simple and no-fuss meal for train or flight journeys. Simply make, roll, and pack, and it can be enjoyed anywhere without any mess. It also makes for a filling meal for kids after a good outdoor sports, as it is rich in carbs and helps offer instant energy to kids.
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