Finally I baked my favorite Iyengar Bakery style “Khara Buns” [Spicy Rolls] at home and am very happy that I used healthy ingredients like whole wheat & chia seeds!!
Ingredients
Whole wheat flour-1 1/2 cups [ will need extra 1/4 cup or so while kneading]
Instant yeast-1/2 tbsp
Salt-1 tsp
Sugar-1 1/2 tsp
Milk- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp to brush the top of the buns
Water-1/2 cup
Melted butter-3 tbsp + 1 tbsp for brushing the top
Seasoning
Oil-1 tbsp
Cumin-1/2 tsp
Chia seeds-1/2 tbsp
Green chilis-6 [finely chopped]
Onions-1/2 cup [finely chopped]
Curry leaves- 2 sprigs [finely chopped]
Cilantro-1/2 cup [finely chopped]
Mint leaves-1/4 cup [finely chopped]
Heat the oil in a pan, add the cumin and let it splutter. Add the green chilis, curry leaves and fry for one minute.Now, add the onions and cook till translucent and turn off heat and add the chopped cilantro,mint leaves and chia seeds and mix. Let it cool.
Method
Line a baking sheet and keep ready.
In a big mixing bowl, add 1 cup of whole wheat flour, salt, sugar and yeast and mix well.
Microwave the milk and water for 30 secs till it is lukewarm[it should not be hot]. Add this to the dry flour and mix well.Now, slowly add half cup of whole wheat flour and knead for 5-6 minutes.
Add the melted buttered knead for another 10 mins.Add little more flour if you feel the it is very sticky.Continue to knead until you get a soft non sticky dough.
Transfer the dough to a well floured surface and shape it into a rectangle. Place the seasoning mixture in the middle and cover it from all the sides. Now, start kneading till everything is well incorporated into the dough.Add little more flour if it is very sticky.Transfer this well kneaded dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp kitchen towel and place it in a warm place for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in volume.
Once the dough is doubled, knead it again for 5 minutes. Divide the dough into eight equal parts and form buns and place them on a lined baking sheet. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
Brush the rolled buns with milk, sprinkle chia seeds on top and bake it at 350 degree F oven for 20-23 minutes or till the buns are golden brown in color.
Once done, brush the top of the freshly baked buns with melted butter and serve it warm.