Hamburger to Fusion Parata

After moving to the USA, we started finding something to eat easy and fast. Although the majority of food offered here include burgers and we did not mind eating it, we wanted to be able to make it to our own preference.

Once I found out how to make the hamburger meat to our own taste, I found it much easier to work with.
Here in the US, hamburger meat in reality is just ground meat pre-shaped to form the patties for cooking. Personally, I am not the biggest fan, but since it is a great source of protein and iron, I encourage children to eat it. However, I did want to utilize this ingredient into a recipe that is closer to our ethnic food culture. One possibility I discovered was being able to add a spicy curry flavor to the meat. Although we liked the meat by itself to use for the classic cheeseburger, we loved Mexican flavors and seasonings that made the taste similar to the curry flavors.

Of one specific moment I recall, everyone said "Oh my gosh, again!" Yes, I might seem crazy to remember every single childhood memory. My dad and mom brought us to the park near Yangon River named Nan Thidar. The park had a beautiful flower and beer garden and a restaurant that was built upon the river for customers to enjoy the view. It might have been torn down for some reason or other today. At that restaurant, dad bought us the treat of Parata and grilled chicken (being called Chicken Tikka in the menu). Meat filled parata was also in the menu, being another option we ordered, so that we were given the chance to try two types of spicy flavors in our childhood days.

This was yet another fond memory for me and is still vivid to this day as my sisters and I ran along the walkway. Growing up surrounded by a highly diverse culture our father taught us to respect one another and to never criticize other races or religions that were present around us.

Meat Filled Roti Parata (5-6 serving)

1 lb        Ground Beef (Minced goat meat, chicken or turkey)
1 tbsp     Chili Powder
1tsp        Cumin seeds
1tbsp      Julienne Ginger
1tsp        Turmeric powder
1 cup      Chopped Onion
1/4 cup   Mint leaves ( chopped )
1tsp        Sliced Thai green chili
1/2 tbsp  Curry powder
2 bags     Frozen Parata ( 10 pieces)
4 tbsp      Canola oil (For Meat prep)
4 tbsp      Canola oil (For seared Parata)
1/2 cup    Chopped Tomato
1/2 tbsp   Salt
3 Counts  Egg

Instruction

1. In the stir fry pan, add the 1tbsp oil and brown the meat with medium high heat.

2. Strain out the grease from that meat and set aside .

3. We also need to get those prep works ready before cooking such as chopped onion,      tomato, green chili, mint leaves and ginger.

4. When all the prep works are ready, we may use the same stir fry pan on the stove with 3 tbsp oil with medium heat.

5  Add the ginger , cumin and turmeric powder to make it fragrant.

6.  Add chili powder and stir for one minute then add the browned meat and stir.

7.  After stirring the meat, chili are blending well then add tomato and onion together into the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes.

8. Finally, add the mint leaves, green chili and curry powder to the meat mixture. Stir for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to your own taste.

9. We may use that meat with rice for fried rice version too . but for this recipe we need to cool it down that cooked meat before stuffing to the already thawed ( frozen parata).

10. Each parata could hold the 3 tbsp of cooked meat and fold the parata and press to the edges. Get ready. Beat 3 egg in the clean bowl to make it ready and set aside

11. In the flat omelette pan with medium heat, add the 2 tbsp oil then we have to brush the egg wash on both side of the parata and fry it in the pan.

12. When one side is golden brown, flip it to another side to make golden brown again.

We need to cook that parata one at a time in the pan. This savory snack food is suitable for breakfast with coffee or tea. And great lunch option too. We could also use this meat stuffing and cheese with the flour tortilla together to make another version of quesadilla.

Note: We may use meat option as ground chicken or goat meat is fine. For the vegetarian version, we could use the veggie burger from frozen aisle at most of the super market.