Palak Paneer Parantha : Simple and healthy Breakfast

We've all heard the old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? Let's share some facts and science behind this theory which proves that your parents and grandparents were right after all! Now obviously, food is fuel and energy for our bodies and without it we spend the day stumbling around in a fog and fighting off a headache and a bad attitude. Breakfast is literally just that, breaking the fast that your body is in from the night before.

The consumption of an early morning snack increases the metabolic rate (how fast you burn calories) and kick starts your body into gear, telling it what to expect the rest of the day. If breakfast isn't had, your body doesn't process your next meal as quickly and tries to hold onto those nutrients. Since it didn't get any morning fuel, it tries to hold onto the afternoon meal as long as possible — instead of burning it right away.

When it comes to the traditional Indian breakfast, the general consensus is that it's time-consuming, oily and fatty, but tasty! Indians love to fill themselves. And not many can live without a hearty traditional breakfast, Indian or English. The newfound craving for cornflakes and sprouts is a fad created by the with-it generation. 

For average healthy people, a balanced breakfast includes carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and fresh fruits. The quantity depends on individual activity levels during the day. Whole wheat daliya, wheat flakes, cornflakes, cheese and vegetable sandwich or paratha, eggs, butter, milk or lassi and seasonal fruits and juice are good options. 

Now, one among them is this Paneer Palak Parantha. Paneer is a very good source of Calcium and Protein and Palak is an excellent source of Iron and other minerals. Combining this with Whole wheat flour and oil provides you with enough Carbs and Fat. All this together makes this a very healthy breakfast option provided you control your cravings and dont have it every other day. Just have it once or twice a week and it counts as a healthy breakfast option. 

I usually make a lot of versions for paneer stuffed Parathas, one of them is this Paneer Cabbage Paratha. But in this Palak Paneer Paratha, I dont add much spices rather I enjoy the dominant taste of fresh Paneer and coriander in it along with a hint of Black Pepper. Hope you will like it too :)

What you need ?

• 4 cups Whole wheat Flour 
• Warm Water to knead 
• 1/4 cup Yogurt (optional)
• 1 tsp Salt 
• 1 cup packed spinach leaves, washed and chopped fine
• 1 1/2 cup crumbled paneer ( I always use fresh home made)
• 1 tsp Black Pepper 
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander 
• Salt to taste 
• 1 large onion, chopped (optional)
• Oil to roast the paranthas

How to Make ?

• Knead dough using water, spinach and yogurt (if using). Keep aside while you prepare the stuffing. 
• Mix coriander, Paneer, salt and Black Pepper all together. 
• Divide it into equal dough balls. Roll the dough ball with rolling pin and help the stuffing inside, roll it back and cook on hot griddle applying a little oil on both sides till brown spots starts appearing.
• Serve it hot with Chutney or Raita and yes, dont forget the Chai ;)

My Notes: 

• You can skip the yogurt while kneading the dough, adding it increases the pliability and results in better texture
• You might have noticed that I have not used oil for kneading the dough, though many people recommend that. Its a personal choice, and I usually get the similar texture just by adding yogurt. 
• You can also add a tbsp of grated ginger in the stuffing, that imparts a new flavor all together. 
• All Purpose flour (maida) can also be used or mixed with the whole wheat flour. If you are doing that, do add some ghee/oil while kneading the dough. This will give you flaky texture, but obviously that wont be the healthier choice in that case. 

Similar recipes like this 

Low Oil Khasta Paratha

Tomato Spring Onion Paratha

Green Peas Paratha

Sweet Potato Paratha

Avocado Paratha

Linked to Breakfast Recipes event running @ Cooking for all seasons.