Every culture has recipes that are important to that culture. By making and sharing these recipes, we remember family, friends and familiar places. Even though families move to new countries, we can connect to our culture through the food we make and eat.
Bolani is a baked flatbread stuffed with potatoes and green onion and is a popular snack in Afghanistan. You can find bolani stands at the side of the road in many cities and towns.
This recipe is a favourite among our students. Easy to make with easily found ingredients, makes this recipe a real winner.
Canada is a multicultural country and we are able to enjoy recipes that come from around the globe. Does your family have a traditional recipe that you enjoy? Make it a goal to learn how to make this recipe.
Yield: Serves 8
Preparation Time: About 60 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENT LIST
DOUGH
- 3 ½ cups (875mL) all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. (5mL) salt
- 250mL water
- 1 tsp. (5mL) olive oil
FILLING
- 4 medium potatoes, cooked
- ½ cup (125mL) chopped cilantro
- 2 or 3 green onions, cut into 1 cm sized pieces
- 2 Tbsp. (30mL) olive oil
- ½ tsp. (2mL) salt
- freshly cracked pepper, to taste
DIP
- ½ cup (125mL) plain yogurt
EQUIPMENT LIST
- measuring cups and spoons
- 2 medium-sized bowls
- pot
- potato masher or fork
- small sharp knife
- rubber spatula
- rolling pin
- spatula or pancake flipper
- frying pan
METHOD
- Mix flour and salt together.
- Add water and oil. Mix until dough starts to form. If dough seems a little dry, add a Tbsp. or 2 (15-30mL) of water.
- Knead dough for about 10 minutes, until smooth.
- Place dough in lightly oiled bowl. Cover with clean tea towel or plastic wrap. Let rest for about an hour.
- Wash potatoes. Cook in pot of salted water until knife or skewer slides in and out when poked. Drain and let potatoes cool.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mash potatoes. Add olive oil, salt and pepper and mash together until smooth.
- Using a small, sharp knife, cut the hairy root end off of the green onion, then slice into pinky-wide slices. Add to the potato bowl.
- Roughly chop the leaves and upper stem of the cilantro. Add to the bowl. Mix the potato mixture together.
- Cut the dough into 4 equal sized pieces. Take a piece of dough and roll into a smooth ball.
- Flour work surface then roll out dough as thin as a tortilla.
-
Spread about ¼ cup (50mL) of the filling on one half of the dough. Leave a 2 cm border around the rim.
-
Fold the dough in half over the filling and press to seal. Press and flatten the bolani to remove air from inside the pocket.
-
Place frying pan on heat. Turn on to medium. Add 2 Tbsp (30mL) olive oil and let heat up. Cook bolani until golden, about 2 minutes, then flip over. Both sides should be browned and crispy.
-
Place on paper towel or plate.
-
Repeat to cook other bolani.
-
Slice into wedges and serve warm with yogurt for dipping.
TASTY TIP
You can add ¼ cup (50mL) chopped cooked spinach to the potato mixture for colour, flavour and nutrition.
SKILLS
STEP-BY-STEP – AFGHAN BOLANI!
STEP 1
Combine salt and flour in a large bowl.
STEP 2
Add olive oil and water.
STEP 3
Mix the ingredients using just one finger!
STEP 4
Scrape the shaggy mass onto a clean work surface.
STEP 5
Knead the dough, cover it, and let it rest for about one hour.
STEP 6
Mash the potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
STEP 7
Add cilantro and green onions.
STEP 8
Divide the dough into 4 equally-sized pieces. Shape into a ball. Roll out into a very thin circle.
STEP 9
Place about 1/4 cup (50mL) of potato filling to one end of the dough.
STEP 10
Fold the dough in half, pushing out any air. Press the edges together to form a seal.
STEP 11
Place the bolani onto a heated and lightly oiled frying pan.
STEP 12
Flip once it’s golden brown.
STEP 13
Cut into wedges, and serve with plain yogurt.
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