Kothu Parotta / Chili Parotta has been on my mind for ages. Must be really years. Seriously, have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to taste something and when you do, you simply fall in love with it! You get so depressed for the many years spent without tasting it. This happened to me. Kothu Parota is the ultimate Street food you can get in these parts of the world!
If you are familiar with the gastronomical indulgence of the people hailing from Tamil Nadu, then this is their ultimate choice for fast food or street food, as you may call it! I have always had a great passion for Parotta. When you walk on our streets, more, in particular, the market places, you can for sure see many such Parotta wala on the pushcarts. The aroma that sniffs pasts, pulls your heartstrings to the core.
I have always longed to eat in such places. But the puritanical attitude, which rears its ugly head at times, never allows it. I am not a puritan per se. But a woman is allowed to have her contradictory attitudes right! Plus the strict rule that Dad always insists on us never to eat anything from the street or roadside shops.
I have never eaten from any such shops. Can you believe, we went to Bombay, Calcutta, but never ate anything off the street! All those yummy chats and masalas. They did tug me to no end. But then Dad's rule or not, even when I traveled without him, I can't get myself eat in those places. Though one part of me, always longed I wasn't so prudish!
Now all said and done, it isn't I never enjoyed Kothu parotta. My colleagues used to order this from Saravana Bhavan. Saravana Bhavan is really conjus, they give a very small box with an overly charged price! Still, one colleague ordered Kottu parotta for lunch, almost every day. And most times when we sat for lunch together we used to share our lunches.
Though not sure how authentic, it sure was yummy! But then where is authenticity coming in fast food. Though Amma and I used to experiment and generally cook a lot of new dishes, this was something we never attempted.
We had a lovely dinner last night. And the greatest pleasure was, Peddu liked it so much that he came back for a second helping and wouldn't share it with Chinnu. Chinnu came running to me and said ' Tha Na tha na." Not sure what the means, but that's what Chinnu keeps saying these days. Well, Athamma gave orders that this is going to be cooked often, but with wheat flour!
Now coming to the Kothu Parotta, this is a lovely way to eat Parotta. Check this post for making Parotta!
This dish came into existence because the vendors wanted a way to use those leftover parottas and what a way to reuse them.
Kothu Parotta
6 nos Parotta shredded
2 medium Onions diced as squares
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 nos Green Chillies
1/2 cup Capsicum
1 cup Spring Onions
1/2 cup Tomato sauce
Salt to taste
2 tsp Cooking Oil
Coriander to garnish
Method to prepare:
You can use the leftover parottas to make this dish. I feel fresh ones are best for kids.
Cut Onions into squares or big chucks. I don't like to chew on big capsicum pieces, so chopped them finely.
Trim the Spring onions and use the onions for sauteing. Tear the parottas randomly. I don't think the same size will have that effect!
Heat a pan with oil. Add the onions, fry well. Once they turn pinkish, add the ginger garlic paste. Fry well. Then add the capsicum and cover for 2 mins in sim. Once they are soft, add the white onions from the spring onions. Stir well.
Now add the green chilies, salt, and the green part of the spring onions. Once they sizzle well, add half of the tomato sauce.
Then goes the parotta pieces. cook on high flame for 2 mins. Then add the remaining tomato sauce so that it gets coated well.
Add rest of the garnish and cover for 2 more mins. Check the parotta softness and add more tomato sauce if required.
Serve hot!
I normally use a 2:1 ratio of all-purpose flour and wheat flour for my parottas. For this dish, I used only All-purpose flour for making the parotta
Kothu Parotta ~ Street Food from Tamil Nadu
Ingredients
- 6 nos Parotta shredded
- 2 medium Onions diced as squares
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
- 2 nos Green Chillies
- 1/2 cup Capsicum
- 1 cup Spring Onions
- 1/2 cup Tomato Sauce
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- Coriander Leaves to garnish
Instructions
- You can use the leftover parottas to make this dish. I feel fresh ones are best for kids.
- Cut Onions into squares or big chucks. I don't like to chew on big capsicum pieces, so chopped them fine.
- Trim the Spring onions and use the onions for sauteing. Tear the parottas randomly. I don't think same size will have that effect!
- Heat a pan with oil. Add the onions, fry well. Once they turn pinkish, add the ginger garlic paste. Fry well. Then add the capsicum and cover for 2 mins in sim. Once they are soft, add the white onions from the spring onions. Stir well.
- Now add the green chillies, salt and the green part of the spring onions. Once they sizzle well, add half of the tomato sauce.
- Then goes the parotta pieces. cook on high flame for 2 mins. Then add the remaining tomato sauce so that its gets coated well.
- Add rest of the garnish and cover for 2 more mins. Check the parotta softness and add more tomato sauce if required.
- Serve hot!
Notes
Arundathi says
that looks absolutely delicious, valli. i've looked everywhere for an easy and veggie kothu paratta recipe and here it is... thanks!!
Priti says
Now that's mouth watering...Whenever I go to Chennai ..I still order gud old favorite kottu parotta....I have made too the same but I have used instant paratha instead of fresh ones 🙂
Divya says
oh thats such a nice description and a great entry sri..my appa is also very strict when it comes to street food;-(,even though we sneak thru the rule at times!!hubby has been showering praises on kothu paratta from the streets,but since it was non-veg,couldn't try.surely try this veg version,thanks sri!!
kamala says
I love kothu parota too Valli..Even Appa and hubby never allow us to eat in the street side shops..Parota looks delicious.I make just like URS.
Hima says
I never tried it before, got to give it a try.
JZ @ Tasty treats says
it looks delicious sri....i used to have kothu porotta when I was in India (so much so that my in-laws used to buy them for me!;-))
Sunshinemom says
I read that and just remembered a portion of this tamil limerick:
jikudumi parota, oor ellam galata.. who knows what it means but it does rhyme and stays on your mind:)
Nice one, it looks delicious! We make something like this but did not know it had a name:)
Maheswari says
I too made these for MBP..I just love these on the street side.I love the one made with salna also.Your bowl looks mouthwatering..
Raaga says
one of my favourite snacks 🙂
skribles says
looks yummy srivalli; would like to try it out soon 🙂
indosungod says
Valli, I have no qualms about eating in road side eateries. This is the best in those places. But this is the restaurant version of the road side favorite I guess.
Looks delicious, I am sure making it with wheat flour would make it even better.
Asha says
I made that too at Aroma,loved it. Great entry!:))
shriya says
Kottu parotta is one of my fav dish. As priti said I've also tried this one with instant parathas. Yours look absolute delicious.
Sia says
lol valli, at last my trick worked 😉 he he he... now it was not that bad coz u all got to enjoy it right? looks absolutely delicious. and thank u for sending me this wonderful entry:)
Shri says
This is the simple and tasty food.I used to make this little more spicy.
Kalai says
This looks so amazing, Valli! I'm quite puritanical when it comes to street food, too. I'm definitely making this at home, though! 🙂
Divya Vikram says
looks too too delicious Valli..Craving for these now..
meeso says
Sounds so good, I wish I could try it 🙂
bhags says
is it the same as chilli parotha....well this is really nice looking, i am sure I never have had it.....
srikars kitchen says
looks yummy and mouth watering dishes....
Mrs.SriLekha says
wow....... thatz yummy valli....... no chance... lookin great... mouth watering
Vanamala says
wonderful dish sri...never heard this b4.
sowmya says
looks really tempting..lovely picture..never tried making this at home..
Cham says
Whenever i come India, this one is my alternate dinner 🙂 But in TN, Chalna is the key ingredient to bring out the flavor of kottu parotha, looks delicious 🙂
Rajitha says
srivalli..look at it this way..eating from roadside stalls will improve ur immunity!..u gotta eat from there..u are surely missing something...and btw the kottu parotta looks yummy! i have never eaten in tho...
Priti says
Visit my blog..surprise for U awating
Swati: Sugarcraft India says
Thats a lovely snack lady.. You have an amazing
collection of recipes Srivalli!!
Bharathy says
Srivalli!!!! I am back!!!! 🙂 (he he hopefully)
I was on my way digging out my award you'd gifted me in the rajasthani thali post...wow how many you have been updating since then..!!!phew!!...you are a super girl!!!
LOVE kothuparatha...simple and neat pic..and I am craving for that plate now 🙁
TBC says
I remember eating these in Chennai a long time back and liking it a lot. I must make it a point to have this when I come there next.
Suganya says
Tomato ketchup is a must. Its color and tang is so darn good in the recipe.
supersamayal says
Kothu parota is one of my favorite. Thanks for the preparation steps. - supersamayal