Baked Mathri...Three Pepper Sisters!!!

Baked Mathri or Baked Salted Crackers if you please…typically deep fried, I converted Mom’s regular mathri recipe to a baked one as I didn’t want to make the effort of deep frying them and dealing with all that left over oil...not as good as the fried version but pretty yum nonetheless J

Baked Mathri/Baked Salted crackers

Ingredients:

• Maida/All purpose flour, 1 cup or Atta/Whole wheat flour, 1 cup or half cup of each
• Suji/Semolina, ¼ cup
• Baking powder, ½ tsp
• Salt, ¾ tsp or to taste
• Cumin seeds, ½ tsp
• Hing/Asafoetida, ¼ tsp (optional)
• Black Pepper, freshly ground, ¾ tsp
• Fresh green chilies, chopped, 2-3
• Fresh red chilies, chopped, 2-3 (or substitute with red chili flakes)
• Melted Ghee or Oil, 3 tbsp if using maida and 4 tbsp if using atta
• Water to knead the dough (I used a little more than ¼ cup)

Instructions:

Take a mixing bowl and combine all the dry ingredients. Add the ghee/oil and mix with your fingertips for about 4-5 minutes.

Start adding water a tablespoon at a time and bring the dough together to fairly stiff dough without kneading too much. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and keep aside for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Lightly grease a baking tray with oil spray or oil.

Divide the dough into two parts.

Roll out the dough into a little less than ¼ “ thickness flat disc and then cut them into desired shapes using cookie cutter or knife.

Prick them a fork all over and place them on the prepared baking tray.

Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes on one side and then flip and bake for about 5 more minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and once cool, store in an airtight container.

Serve with tea, pickle or any chutney/dip of your choice.

Notes:

Other flavoring you can use:

• Ajwain/carom seeds, Kasoori Methi/Dried Fenugreek leaves and Black pepper
• Ajwain/carom seeds and Black pepper
• Kalonji/Nigella seeds and Black pepper
• Italian seasoning and Black pepper
• Red chili flakes and Oregano
• Add some sesame seeds or flax seeds to the dough
• Add some ginger paste to the dough