Pao is nothing but a bread roll usually served in India with many gravy based dishes. It is very popular in Goa and is generally eaten with Goan specialties like Chicken Xacuti, Tonak etc.
Being away from home (Goa) for the past 10 years, I have realized that it is impossible to get the kind of Pao you get in Goa anywhere else. We have always longed for the Goan pao and missed the horn of the Poder (the man who goes around on the cycle selling Pao). Goans will know exactly what I mean. :)
Yes, I was missing Pao and I had to do something about it. After 2-3 unsuccessful attempts and improvisations after every attempt, I was able to make soft and fluffy paos comparable to the ones you get in Goa.
I cannot explain how wonderful it is to eat freshly baked pao out of the oven with a dollop of butter. With every attempt, I make some more improvisations to it and will keep updating the recipe accordingly.
Prep time - 2 hrs 30 mins
Cook time - 10 mins
Ingredients
All Purpose Flour - 3 cups
Dry Yeast - 1.5 tsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Warm Milk - 1.5 cups or as needed
Butter - 3 tbsp and more for brushing on top
Egg or Milk for brushing over the bread dough
Oil - 1 tsp
Instructions
Take yeast, sugar in a bowl. Pour over some warm milk and mix well. Set aside for 5 mins so the yeast can activate.
Now take flour, salt, butter in a bowl and rub the butter into the flour.
Add the yeast mix and milk and knead to a soft dough.
Knead the dough for 5 mins.
Apply some oil over the dough and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave to rise for 1 to 2 hours.
Now punch out the air. Divide it into equal portions and roll them into smooth balls or give them a square shape.
Place it in a greased baking pan. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
During the last 10 mins of rising, preheat oven to 200 degree C.
Brush the top with a beaten egg or milk.
Pop it into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 mins.
Remove and brush the top with some melted butter.
Serve warm.
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