Stuffed Piglet Breads- Stuffed Animal Shaped Breads- Eggless Stuffed Pav

 

Today I made these cute little stuffed breads in animal shapes. I just loved making them and had a great time while I baked these pretty little stuffed buns. I tried them in piglet shape and our regular bun style.  This stuffed bread is not only endearing to look at, but also super soft and delicious.  The bread has a very spongy texture and the best part is the center filled with delicious stuffing of potatoes, Paneer (Indian cheese) and other veggies.  The spicy potato stuffing is perfectly complimented by the fluffy and slightly sweet bread.  This will be a great idea to make kids eat those carrots and peas that they hate-just hide them inside their favorite animal shaped bread!

I came across the idea on Girlversusdough .For my version I have used a vegetarian stuffing made of Potatoes, Paneer (Indian Cottage cheese) and other vegetables. So here are the steps to make these little adorable stuffed piglet shaped breads.

Ingredients:

For Bread dough

• 1 cup milk and a little more for brushing
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour (maida), separated into 2 cups and 1/4 cup
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp salt

For Stuffing:

• 1/2 cup onions finely chopped
• 1/4 cup carrots diced
• 1/4 cup green peas (I used frozen)
• 1/4 cup sweet corn kernels
• 2 medium size potatoes boiled and mashed
• 1/2 cup Paneer(Indian Cottage cheese) finely diced
• 1/4 cup beans chopped
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 1/2 tsp garlic finely chopped
• 1 tsp Kasoori Methi or Dry fenugreek leaves (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (Jeera)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (Haldi)
• 1/2 tsp Red chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Chaat Masala
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper Powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• Salt to taste

Assembly:

• Cloves or Black Peppercorns to make eyes

Steps:

1. In a pot over medium heat, mix together the milk, sugar, and vegetable oil. Heat until the mixture is just about to boil. Turn off the heat and let it cool until lukewarm
2. Once lukewarm, add the yeast and let it sit for a minute
3. Stir in 2 cups of flour. The mixture will be very wet sticky and wet. That is how it is supposed to be, so do not worry. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour (like a oven or microwave but make sure it is turned OFF) .
4. While the dough is resting we will prepare the stuffing. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them flutter. Then add green chillies, garlic, onions, and all the vegetables except the mashed potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Now add the mashed potatoes and season it withKasoori Methi, red chilli powder, pepper, chaat masala, garam masala, and cumin powder. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the paneer and coriander leaves and mix well. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
7. After one hour the dough would have doubled in volume, stir in the remaining 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Knead to make dough like in the image. If the dough is still too wet you can add a little more flour.
8. Divide the dough into 11 pieces. Set aside one piece by wrapping in plastic wrap. This piece will be later used to make the ears and tails etc for the piglets. Let it rest for 15 more mins
9. Flatten one of the dough balls into a circle roughly 4 inches in diameter; Make the edges of the circle slightly thinner than the center. Place a tbsp of stuffing at the center of the circle.
10. Gather the edges of the circle around the stuffing (like you do to make stuffed Parantha) so that they meet in the middle. Press down on the seams. The dough should be of an oblong shape.  Place on a greased baking tray with the seams facing down. Repeat the process for the remaining 9 dough balls.
11. Cover the dough balls with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes until slightly puffy.
12. Preheat the oven to 425 degree Fahrenheit.
13. Now to assemble the piglets- Brush the stuffed dough with milk then make the snouts for the pig by taking a small piece (size of a pea)of the dough you kept aside. Flatten it into an oval. Place the oval on the side of stuffed dough ball which is narrower than the other side. Stick two toothpicks into oval to make the nostrils. Leave the toothpicks in the dough while baking so that the holes do not seal up in oven. Inset two cloves or peppercorns to make the eyes and add a small pea sized dough to the back to make a tail. Repeat the process for the remaining 9 dough balls.
14. Place in oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool then carefully remove the toothpicks and serve.What do you think about these cute little Piggies? Aren’t they just adorable? 

Stay Cheerful..Stay Flavorful !