Amaranth (Rajgira) Parathas

Gluten-free flatbreads that are perfect for fasting; these Rajgira Parathas are delicious and fairly easy to make.

They make a perfect meal with potato sabji and yogurt on fasting days like navratri, shravan mahina and ekadashi. Plus, a great option for a gluten-free diet.

Navratri, Shravan mahina, Ekhdashi hold a lot of significance for the Hindus. We worship the Gods and follow fasts in these times. While the Hindu fasts are not super strict in terms of what can be consumed and what not, there are a few recipes that are popular among Gujaratis.

Almost every household makes these recipes with some variations based on norms and traditions. Rajgira parathas, samo ni khichdi, rajgira halwa, sabudana khichdi, dudhi no halwo, sabudana vada and sabudana kheer are popular.

My grandmother always made these recipes in rotation for the fasts. They taste good throughout the year but taste extra delicious on fasting days!

I always loved these recipes and now I like to create them and document them on the blog. This recipe here was always a favorite and we enjoy it for breakfast so often. However, we do make certain modifications on non-fasting days to include veggies and spices etc.

What is Rajgira

Rajgira is a popular ingredient for fasting recipes. It is a non-cereal grain, making it a perfect candidate for fasting days. Just like quinoa and buckwheat this is a pseudocereal.

The word Rajgira means God's grain or Royal Grain. In fact the word literally translates to 'deathless' or immortal in Sanskrit. It means the grain will remain forever and truly so!

Not just for fasting days, rajgira parathas are excellent for a gluten-free diet throughout the year and also for weight loss. Also, it is packed with nutrients and considered an Indian super food.

A versatile ingredient, rajgira can be used to make parathas, puris, sheera and so on. It mixes easily with other ingredients and the earthy flavor works well for savory and sweet recipes.

This Recipe of Rajgira Parathas

• Is excellent for fasting and for a gluten-free diet. We use a couple of ingredients like potato or oil and peanuts to bring the flour together. Change them as you like.
• Works well for a quick lunch, breakfast or lunch box. The parathas will stay soft for a few hours when packed properly. Plus, they can be enjoyed the next day after refrigerating them overnight and re-heating on a tava.
• The nutty and earthy flavor of rajgira shines through this recipe as we do not add a lot of ingredients. However, adding shredded vegetables is an option here.
• These pair well with Vrat waale Aloo, Rajgira Kadhi or just Masala Chai. Great for enjoying any time of the day!

Ingredients

Rajgira Flour: The base of the recipe is rajgira flour. I use flour from the store. This one is my favorite brand each time. However, milling your own flour is an option too.

Given that this grain is gluten-free, we need something to bind it. The remaining ingredients work towards that.

Potato: Boiled potato is a perfect binder for the gluten-free flour. Either mash them or grate them into the dough.

Instead of regular potato, add sweet potato if you like.

Ginger, Chili: As we do not add red chili or other spices, we use green chili and ginger to flavor the parathas. Leave them out if you like plain parathas. Add red chili if you like.

Peanuts: Crushed peanuts are a great for binding the flour as well. However, skip them for a nut-free version of Rajgira Parathas.

Spices: We only need a couple of basic spices for this recipe. I add salt, cumin powder and black pepper powder. Moreover, regular salt can be substituted with sendha namak in these parathas.

Cilantro and lemon juice add a lot of flavor to the parathas too. However, these are optional in this recipe.

Water: We need water to bring all the ingredients together. The amount will vary based on the flour brand, but do not use a lot. However, soft dough is often pretty difficult to roll so ensure you do not add a lot of water.

Ghee: I cook these parathas in ghee. However, they can be cooked in oil too.

Video Recipe

Step by Step Instructions to make Rajgira Parathas

1- In a bowl add rajgira flour. Add in mashed potato.

2- Then add grated ginger, chili, cumin powder, salt and black pepper powder.

3- Add cilantro and ground peanut powder.

4- Using a soft hand, bring everything together till it is crumbly.

5- Add water and start to knead the dough.

6- Make a soft dough and set aside. Let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes.

7- Make lemon size balls of equal size.

8- Next, pat the dough ball in rajgira flour and place on a rolling board.

9- Roll to a paratha of even thickness. They can be thick or thin as desired. Repeat for the remaining dough balls.

10- Heat a tava or flat pan. Once hot, place the paratha on it.

11- Let it cook and once you see bubbles, turn it over and apply ghee.

12- Turn the paratha over and apply ghee. Once both sides are cooked, remove from flame and serve.

Tips and Notes

• Add potatoes or sweet potato to bind the dough. Instead of these, adding some oil to knead the dough works too.
• Use a plastic sheet to make rolling easy. This way the dough does not stick to the rolling board.
• Use sendha namak instead of regular salt if you do not consume salt.
• These parathas can be cooked in ghee or oil. To make them Vegan use oil.
• If you are not making these for fasting, add shredded vegetables of your choice. Carrots, peppers, beans and cabbage works well.

Love fasting recipes? Then these would be super amazing too:

• Vrat Waale Aloo: A fasting favorite, these are made with potatoes, peanuts and a handful of spices.
• Samo Vada: Fritters made from barnyard millet and potatoes, these are SO good for any fasting day.
• Sabudana Khichdi: Great for breakfast or a meal, sabudana khichdi is a must-have for any fasting day!
• Samo Khichdi: Another favorite for fasting, this pressure cooker recipe for samai chawal is a keeper!

 This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in 2016.

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here.  Links are also updated after each event on the BreadBakers home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send an email with your blog URL to Stacy @ foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

Here is what all of us came up with, for the Griddle Breads  event.

Griddle Breads

• Amaranth (Rajgira) Paratha from Herbivore Cucina
• Cheese and Potato Gözleme from Cook's Hideout
• Corn Pancakes from Magnolia Days
• Cornmeal Griddle Cakes from Noshing With The Nolands
• English Muffins from La cocina de Aisha
• Fruity Hemp Seed Pancakes from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Griddle Scones from Hostess At Heart
• Homemade Corn Tortillas from Kylee Cooks
• Lachha Paratha - Indian Layered Flatbread from Sara's Tasty Buds
• Masala Poli - Spicy Potato Masala Stuffed Poli from I Camp in my Kitchen
• Masala Roti from Sneha's Recipe
• Paneer Kulchas - Griddle Fried Cottage Cheese Flatbread from Sizzling Tastebuds
• Paruppu Poorana Poli from Gayathri's Cook Spot
• Peanut Butter and Apple Griddle Cakes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Phool Makhana Parathas (Puffed Lotus Seeds Parathas) from Seduce Your Tastebuds
• Saffron Unleavened Bread from Kidsandchic
• Satpadi - Spiced Griddle Bread from Spiceroots
• Scallion Pancakes from A Shaggy Dough Story
• Sourdough English Muffins from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Spicy Loli - Breakfast Flatbread from Food Lust People Love
• Spinach and Feta Gözleme from Spill the Spices
• Stacked Apple Arepas from The Schizo Chef
• Staffordshire Oatcakes with a Bacon & Cheese Filling from Ruchik Randhap
• Stove-Top Muffins (Diphaphata) from Wholistic Woman
• Swedish Polar Bread from G'Gina's Kitchenette
• Vitumbua (Coconut Rice Pancake Balls) from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Welsh Cakes from Passion Kneaded
• Yeast Raised Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes from Pastry Chef Online