{"id":"recipe_1ca896015a","slug":"luchi-bengali-fried-bread","title":"Luchi (Bengali Fried Bread)","description":"A soft, fluffy, and deep-fried flatbread made from all-purpose flour, popular in Bengali and Indian cuisine as a staple breakfast or festive treat.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups All-purpose flour (Maida)","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"Maida","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 tbsp Ghee or Oil (for shortening)","name":"Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"melted","notes":"Can substitute with vegetable oil for a vegan version","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 tsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/4 tsp Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"Adds a hint of sweetness and helps with texture","group":"Dough","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"3/4 cup warm water (as needed)","name":"Warm Water","quantity":180,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"Add gradually","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Oil for deep frying","name":"Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"For deep frying","group":"Frying","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and ghee (or oil).","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and ghee","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Rub the ghee into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. This process (moyen) is crucial for a soft texture.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Rub the ghee into the flour","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Gradually add warm water and knead into a smooth, firm, and non-sticky dough. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Gradually add warm water","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"After resting, divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls (about the size of a lemon). Grease your palms and rolling pin with a little oil.","group":"Shape Luchi","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shape Luchi"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Roll each ball into a thin, even circle of about 4-5 inches in diameter. Do not use dry flour for rolling; use oil instead.","group":"Shape Luchi","title":"Roll each ball into a thin, even circle of about 4-5 inches","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shape Luchi"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Heat oil in a kadai or deep pan to 350°F (180°C). Slide the luchi carefully into the hot oil. Gently press it with a slotted spoon so it puffs up. Flip and fry the other side for a few seconds. It should remain white and not turn brown.","group":"Fry","title":"Heat oil in a kadai or deep pan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Fry"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with potato curry (Alur Dom) or Cholar Dal.","group":"Serve","title":"Drain on paper towels","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serve"}],"notes":"Luchis should be pale white in color, unlike whole-wheat puris which are browned. The key to a soft luchi is the 'moyen' (shortening) and kneading with warm water.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Bengali"]},"course":["side","main"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Mixing bowl","Rolling pin","Kadai or Deep pan","Slotted spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":16,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 12-16 luchis"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared and kept in the fridge, but the fried luchis are best eaten fresh and hot."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container or wrap in foil to keep them soft, though they will lose their puffiness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a microwave for 10-15 seconds covered with a damp paper towel."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_1ca896015a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=edc30b4b-a492-432b-aaa9-16a6bf73de9f","imageAlt":"Luchi (Bengali Fried Bread) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["luchi","bengali food","indian breakfast","fried bread","vegetarian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Luchi (Bengali Fried Bread)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T16:57:15.427Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T16:57:15.427Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c7386513c8","slug":"meethi-lassi","title":"Meethi Lassi","description":"A refreshing and creamy traditional Indian yogurt drink sweetened with sugar and delicately flavored with green cardamom.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Punjabi"]},"course":["dessert","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c7386513c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1dba5e4c-1975-4b21-b98b-9b2c36dcca33","imageAlt":"Meethi Lassi — recipe cover","tags":["lassi","yogurt-drink","sweet","refreshing","indian-beverage","punjabi","cardamom"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4}]}