Home made Ladi-paav and Buns

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Hot cross buns, hot cross buns,

One a penny, two a penny

Hot cross buns!

I learnt this rhyme after my first daughter was born. Being a Kannada medium student, never dared to learn English till I was in fifth std. And then I had to learn to teach my daughter. I took the help of video tapes. 

Why am I sharing this with you all is, I took years to learn a rhyme on buns, and now it's 45 years to learn to bake a bun and  paav.

It's not that I never tried before, but in vain. I was failed many times, wasting all the money to buy the ingredients. But never left my hope though got disappointed every time.

Jiske paas ummeed hai, woh lakh Baar haarkar bhi nahi haaratha!

And here I am today, with no fail recipe of ladi paav. Of course, I too have followed the recipe from other blogs, But I got the perfect recipe that I am happily sharing. 

The most important ingredient which plays either the role of hero or many a times a villain is the "YEAST".  After this experiment I have come to the conclusion that "Yeast is like husband or his mood!!! if you have good yeast, then your paav or bun or bread will come out the best or else!!Same with husbands too!!

Coming to the recipe,

I browsed many blogs and websites to learn to bake these paav and ended up happily with two sites. One is HOMEMADE LADI PAV AND BUNS FROM Ruchi's Kitchen. She is an excellent blogger. Her recipes are filled with all the information and her pictorial post will help any new comer to learn cooking. And one more is from ladi paav from Tarla Dalal. What I liked about Ruchi's recipe it's more clear and her special tips will help you and boost your confidence to go ahead with the recipe. 

Ingredients : 

All purpose flour(Maida) : 3 cups

(Planning to use Wheat flour next time!)

Baking Powder 1 tsp Salt : 1 1/2 tsp 
Oil - 2 tbsp (any oil except the oil from nuts)
Little Milk and Butter  for brushing

Yeast Preparation: Luke Warm milk or water  : 2 tbsp(water should be luke warm, neither hot or cold as hot water kills the yeast)

Sugar 1 tbsp 
Active Dry Yeast :1 tbsp 
Oil : 2 tbsp 

Soft Butter : 1/2 tbsp

Warm water - approximately 1 cup

To prepare yeast, follow the measurement and the method very strictly. 

Method:

1. Let's prepare the yeast mix first. Because if the yeast is not good or active and we don't get proper frothy solution, the outcome is disaster. Just throw the mix and restart the whole process.

Take all the ingredients under yeast preparation in a deep bowl. Mix well and keep it aside for 10 minutes or till you see the froth or boils. It may take another 10 more minutes.

Next steps:

2. Mix the butter and Oil in another bowl.

3. Take All Purpose flour, salt and baking powder in a big bowl. Mix well.

4. Add the yeast mix into the flour. Mix well. 

5. Knead the flour with little warm water(depends on the quality of maida. Start with half cup)

6. knead into make soft dough for 4-5 minutes. 

"KNEADING IS VERY MUCH NEEDED" 

If your finger comes out clean when you insert in the dough, then it is ready for next step.

7.Now add the butter and oil mix to the dough and start kneading for 6-8 minutes. Knead it by stretching, folding and the way you wash the cloth.

This is very important step. 

8.Cover it with a damp muslin cloth and keep it aside for 2 hours(again depending on the season, During summer it takes less time) But wait till it is doubled. Check the dough by inserting your finger. The dough should not bounce back. 

9.Take the dough and again knead it for another 5 minutes. 

Divide into 12 equal balls. 

10.If you like it in the bun shape you can just take a bigger size and give round shape and bake. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on the buns. 

place the balls in to baking pan at equal distance. 

Cover it with damp cloth again for 45 minutes.

Bake these Paav in a pre-heated over on 200 degree centigrade for 20 minutes. 

11.Remove from the oven. Allow the paav to cool. Brush the paavs with milk and butter. 

Cool completely,

Enjoy it with butter, make Bhaji Pav,  vada pav,  Dhaabeli, Missal.

If you follow my recipe and try this, please let me know. I would be the happiest to receive your comments.

Next from my kitchen is Vada for Vada paav. Stay tuned. 

Keep Smiling,