Asha Maharaj Poli Recipe 2021 May 2026
Asha Maharaj is a renowned South African culinary icon known for her traditional Indian recipes that have been passed down through generations. Her (also known as Puran Poli
) is a celebrated sweet flatbread made of a soft outer flour covering stuffed with a sweet lentil and jaggery filling. Ingredients
The recipe consists of two main components: the dough (outer layer) and the "Puran" (filling). For the Puran (Filling): Chana Dal: 1 cup, soaked for 2–3 hours Jaggery or Sugar: 1 cup (adjust to taste) Ghee: 1–2 tablespoons Flavorings: A pinch of cardamom powder and nutmeg Water: 3 cups (for pressure cooking) For the Dough (Outer Layer):
Flour: 2 cups of all-purpose flour (maida) or whole wheat flour (or a 1:1 ratio) Ghee/Oil: 2 tablespoons for softness Turmeric: A pinch for a traditional yellow color Water: Enough to form a very soft, pliable dough Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Prepare the Filling (Puran)
Cook the Dal: Boil the soaked chana dal in a pressure cooker until it is soft and tender but not mushy.
Strain and Mash: Drain any excess water. Mash the cooked dal into a fine paste.
Sweeten: In a pan, mix the mashed dal with jaggery and ghee. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
Cool: Add cardamom and nutmeg, then let the mixture cool completely. Tip: Never fill hot puran into the dough, as it will tear the poli. 2. Prepare the Dough Mix: Combine the flour, turmeric, and a little ghee.
Knead: Slowly add water and knead into a soft, elastic dough.
Rest: Cover and let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes to improve elasticity. 3. Assembly and Cooking
Stuffing: Take a small ball of dough and flatten it into a cup shape. Place a ball of the sweet filling (the filling should be about the same size as the dough ball) in the center. asha maharaj poli recipe
Seal: Gather the edges of the dough to cover the filling and seal it tightly.
Rolling: Dust with flour and roll out very gently into a thin circle. Use greaseproof or butter paper to prevent sticking.
Cook: Place the poli on a hot tawa (griddle). Cook until golden brown spots appear on both sides, brushing generously with ghee during the process. Expert Tips for Success
Consistency: The dough must be softer than regular roti dough to allow for thin rolling.
Storage: Polis stay fresh for about a week in the refrigerator or can be frozen for longer storage.
Serving: Traditionally served warm with a dollop of extra ghee or a bowl of warm milk.
If you are looking for other Asha Maharaj classics, I can also provide her recipes for Nankatai , Hungarian Tart , or Burfee . Asha Maharaj Poli Recipes
Asha Maharaj is a renowned South African culinary icon known for her traditional Indian recipes that have been passed down through generations. Her Puran Poli
is a classic sweet stuffed flatbread, often prepared for special occasions like Diwali or Holi. 🥣 The Ingredients For the Filling (Puran): 1 cup Chana Dal (split Bengal gram) 1 cup Jaggery or Sugar (adjust to taste) A pinch of Turmeric powder 1 tsp Cardamom (Elachi) powder
A pinch of Nutmeg powder (optional but recommended for aroma) For the Dough: Asha Maharaj is a renowned South African culinary
1 cup Maida (all-purpose flour) or a 1:1 mix of Maida and Wheat flour 2 tbsp Ghee or Oil A pinch of Salt Water (to knead) Cooking Instructions 1. Prepare the Filling ( Soak & Cook:
Wash and soak the chana dal for 2–3 hours. Pressure cook with just enough water for 2–3 whistles until soft but not mushy.
Drain excess water (this "Katachi Amti" water can be used for soup). Sweeten & Mash:
In a heavy-bottomed pan, add jaggery to the dal. Cook on medium heat, stirring until it thickens.
Once it leaves the sides of the pan, mash it well using a potato masher or blender. Stir in cardamom and nutmeg, then let it cool completely. 2. Prepare the Dough Mix flour, salt, and turmeric. Add water slowly to make a very soft, stretchy dough
Incorporate oil/ghee and knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. 3. Stuff & Roll
Create equal-sized balls of dough and filling (the filling ball should be slightly larger).
Flatten a dough ball, place the filling in the centre, and pinch the edges together to seal tightly.
Gently roll it out into a thin circle using rice flour or maida for dusting. Heat a tawa (griddle) on medium flame. Place the poli on the tawa and roast both sides with until golden brown spots appear. 💡 Pro Tips for Success Cool the Filling: Never stuff hot puran into the dough, or it will tear.
Sift your flour and jaggery to ensure there are no lumps, which helps in rolling the poli thin without breaking. Soak chana dal 30 minutes to reduce cooking time
Serve warm with a dollop of ghee and a side of chilled milk or spicy Katachi Amti , or I can find more of Asha Maharaj's dessert recipes like her famous . What would you like to do next? Asha Maharaj Poli Recipes 13 Apr 2026 —
Based on your request for a useful paper recipe, here is the authentic method for Asha Maharaj’s Poli (Parantha).
In the context of Asha Maharaj (a renowned authority on Indo-Caribbean and Fiji Indian cuisine), "Poli" typically refers to a rich, layered flatbread (similar to a Paratha), often made with ghee and sugar to create a flaky, crispy texture. It is a staple at special occasions, prayers, and weddings.
Prep (time-saving tips)
- Soak chana dal 30 minutes to reduce cooking time.
- Use a pressure cooker (3–4 whistles) or instant pot on “Manual” for 8–10 minutes to cook dal quickly.
- Grate jaggery ahead of time to avoid lumps.
Part 2: What Makes Asha Maharaj Poli Different?
To the untrained eye, it looks like a Paratha or Puran Poli. However, here are the key distinctions:
| Feature | Asha Maharaj Poli | Puran Poli (Regular) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Filling | Savory/Lightly Sweet (Chana Dal + Jaggery/Salt) | Dessert (Heavy on Jaggery & Cardamom) | | Texture | Hard, flaky, and crisp on the outside; soft inside | Soft, chewy, and oily | | Oil/Ghee | Minimal (often roasted dry or with light oil) | Heavy amount of Ghee | | Shelf Life | Stays edible for 24-48 hours (travel food) | Best consumed immediately |
This poli is rustic. It is meant to have a slightly rough, hand-pounded texture.
Step-by-Step Method
Asha Maharaj’s Poli Recipe — Soft, Buttery, Traditional
Few Indian sweets feel as comforting and celebratory as poli (obla or puran poli) — a thin, stuffed flatbread sweetened with a spiced lentil-jaggery filling and finished with ghee. This version honors Asha Maharaj’s style: soft, mildly spiced, and richly buttery. It’s written for home cooks who want clear, reliable steps and a delicious, authentic result.
Step-by-Step Asha Maharaj Poli Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- Flour: 2 cups All-Purpose flour (Maida)
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp (essential for the browning and crispiness)
- Ghee or Oil: 2 tbsp (mixed into the dough)
- Water: Approx. ¾ cup (warm)
For the Layering (The "Paste"):
- Ghee: 3 tbsp (melted)
- Flour: 2 tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp (optional, for a slightly sweet crispy finish)
3. Rolling and Layering
- Divide the dough into 6–8 equal balls.
- Take one ball and roll it out into a thin circle (about 6-8 inches in diameter).
- The Layering Technique:
- Spread a generous teaspoon of the ghee-flour paste over the entire surface of the rolled circle.
- Using a knife, make a single cut from the center of the circle to the outer edge (like a radius).
- Lift the cut edge and roll the dough into a cone shape.
- Press the peak of the cone down into the center and tuck the tail underneath.
- You now have a ball of dough with many layers trapped inside.
- Gently press this ball down with your palm and roll it out again carefully into a circle (about 5-6 inches). Do not roll too hard, or the layers will merge.
Ingredients
- For the filling (puran)
- 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
- 3/4–1 cup jaggery, grated (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp ghee
- Pinch of salt
- For the dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida) or a 50/50 mix of maida and whole wheat flour
- 3 tbsp ghee (for dough)
- About 3/4 tsp salt
- Warm water, as needed (about 3/4 cup)
- For assembling and cooking
- Ghee for rolling and cooking (2–3 tbsp + extra for finishing)
- A little oil or flour for dusting
Yield: about 8–10 medium polies

