Hearty Vegetable Flatbread

This Hearty Vegetable Flatbread is a delicious and wholesome meal made from simple ingredients like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. It is a soft, slightly crispy flatbread packed with veggies, making it perfect as a standalone dish or as a side to a flavorful curry. The process of kneading and rising the dough gives the flatbread a lovely texture, and the vegetables add a delightful crunch and flavor. Whether you’re looking for a new bread recipe to try or want to make a filling meal, this vegetable flatbread is a great choice.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 220ml warm water
  • 6g (0.8 tsp) instant dry yeast
  • 10g (1 Tbsp) sugar
  • 1 room temperature egg
  • 300g bread flour
  • 6g (2 tsp) salt
  • 220ml warm milk
  • 300g cabbage, finely chopped
  • 150g potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 180g carrots, chopped
  • 90g green onion, chopped
  • Cooking oil

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

  1. Combine Yeast, Water, and Sugar: In a small bowl, pour in the warm water (around 37°C or 100°F). Add the instant dry yeast and sugar, stirring gently to combine. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

  1. Beat the Egg: In a separate small bowl, beat the room temperature egg. Add the beaten egg to the frothy yeast mixture, stirring gently.
  2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly pour the yeast-egg mixture and warm milk into the flour mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough starts to form.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

  1. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
  2. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 4: Prepare the Vegetables

  1. Chop the Cabbage: Finely chop the cabbage, then rinse it thoroughly. Shake off the excess water and place the cabbage in a bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the cabbage, mix well, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Afterward, squeeze out any remaining water to prevent the dough from getting too moist.
  2. Prepare Other Vegetables: Peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces, chop the carrots, and chop the green onions. Set aside.

Step 5: Mix the Vegetables into the Dough

  1. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the gas. Turn it onto a floured surface.
  2. Incorporate the Vegetables: Add the chopped cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and green onions to the dough. Gently knead the vegetables into the dough until they are evenly distributed. The dough should now be slightly thicker due to the added ingredients.

Step 6: Cook the Flatbread

  1. Heat the Pan: Heat a frying pan over low heat. Add about 1.5 ladles of cooking oil, swirling it around to cover the bottom of the pan.
  2. Shape the Dough: Take a portion of the dough and shape it into a round flatbread about 1.5 cm thick and large enough to fit in your frying pan.
  3. Cook the Flatbread: Place the flatbread in the pan and cook on low heat. Cook until small holes form on the surface and the bottom is golden brown, around 4-5 minutes.
  4. Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the flatbread, drizzle a little more cooking oil around the edges, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until both sides are evenly browned and crispy.
  5. Repeat: Continue this process with the remaining dough, shaping and cooking each flatbread in the same way.

Step 7: Serve

  1. Shape and Serve: Once cooked, remove the flatbread from the pan and use your hands or a spatula to gently shape the edges, making them rounder and more uniform.
  2. Enjoy: Serve the flatbreads warm with your favorite curry or as a standalone meal with dipping sauces. The crispy outside and tender, flavorful inside make this flatbread a satisfying dish.

Cooking Tips:

  • Adjusting Dough Texture: If the dough feels too sticky while kneading, you can add a little more flour, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Conversely, if the dough feels too dry, sprinkle a bit of water or milk until it becomes soft and elastic.
  • Use a Non-Stick Pan: If possible, use a non-stick pan or well-seasoned cast iron skillet for cooking the flatbread to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
  • Keep the Heat Low: Cooking the flatbread on low heat ensures that it cooks evenly, allowing the vegetables inside to become tender without burning the outside.
  • Vegetable Variations: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to suit your taste preferences.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Fat: 6g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Sugars: 2g

FAQs:

  1. Can I use different vegetables for this recipe?
    • Yes, you can substitute the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes with other vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. Just make sure to chop them finely so they incorporate well into the dough.
  2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
    • Yes, you can try substituting the bread flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is suitable for breadmaking. However, the texture of the flatbread may vary.
  3. How do I store leftovers?
  4. Can I freeze the flatbread dough?
    • Yes, you can freeze the dough after it has risen. Shape the dough into individual flatbreads, place parchment paper between each piece, and freeze in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.

Conclusion:

This Hearty Vegetable Flatbread is a satisfying and nutritious dish that is perfect for a family meal or as a side to your favorite curry. The combination of crispy flatbread with tender vegetables creates a delightful contrast in texture, while the simple seasonings ensure the flavors of the vegetables shine through. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that offers versatility—perfect for mixing and matching your favorite veggies or adding extra spices. Whether enjoyed on its own or with a dip, this flatbread is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen!