Indian cooking
Lukhmi (Vegetable-filled Pastries)

Lukhmi

Vegetable-filled Pastries
Vegetarian●●●Origin HyderabadPrep 50 minutes, plus resting timeCook 1 hourMakes 8

Crisp, flaky pastry parcels encasing a savoury filling of vegetables, crumbled paneer, and tart pomegranate seeds. Fried until deeply golden, they are aromatic, tender, and rich.

Paste and chilli masala

22 gFried with the mushrooms (step 2)
Stir the ginger paste, garlic paste, and chilli powder together into a uniform blend.

Finishing spices

3.4 gStirred into the filling near the end of cooking (step 3)
01
2.1 g1 teaspoon
spice
02
1.3 g½ teaspoon
spice
Combine the black cumin seeds and ground cumin together in a small ramekin.

Everything else

01
40 g3 tablespoons
oil/fat
02
Button mushroom · Khumbstalks removed and finely chopped
100 g
vegetable
03
Carrot · Gajarfinely chopped
50 g
vegetable
04
Green chilli · Hari Mirchslit in half lengthways and de-seeded
36–48 g6–8 chillies
vegetable
05
100 g
dairy
06
Ginger · Adrakpeeled and finely chopped
12 g1 piece
aromatic
07
Pea · Matarshelled if fresh
100 g
vegetable
08
31 g2 tablespoons
souring agent
09
60 g½ pepper
vegetable
10
75 g½ pepper
vegetable
11
32 g3 tablespoons
fruit
13
Vegetable oil · Telfor deep-frying
to taste
oil/fat
14
to taste
salt
15
53 g4 tablespoons
oil/fat
16
30 g2 tablespoons
dairy
17
Plain flour · Maidaplus extra for dusting
250 g
flour

Method

  1. Place 250 g flour, 52.8 g ghee, 30 g plain yogurt, and a pinch of salt in a bowl, then knead in just enough water to yield a pliable, soft dough. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Warm 40.5 g vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the paste and chilli masala, salt to taste, and 100 g mushrooms, then stir-fry for roughly 2 minutes until the liquid released by the mushrooms completely cooks off.
  3. Tumble in 50 g carrots, 36–48 g green chilli, and 100 g paneer, frying for 1 minute. Add 12 g ginger, 100 g pea, and 30.6 g lemon juice, followed by the two 0.5 portions of finely chopped peppers, 3 tablespoon pomegranate seeds, 30 g coriander leaf, and the finishing spices. Stir well to combine, take the pan off the heat, and allow the filling to cool.
  4. Divide the chilled dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a ball. On a surface dusted with extra flour, roll each ball into an oval, place a spoonful of filling in the centre, and fold the dough over to enclose it. Press the edges firmly to seal, then neaten the edges with a sharp knife into rectangular or triangular pastries.
  5. Pour vegetable oil for deep-frying into a kadhai or heavy pan and bring it to 180°C (350°F), or until a small cube of bread turns brown within 30 seconds. Lower the pastries in batches into the hot oil and fry until crisp and evenly golden brown, then transfer with a slotted spoon to drain on kitchen paper before serving.

Don't have something?

Vegetable oil
  • Peanut oil

    Use 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.

  • Ghee

    Use 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.

  • Mustard oil

    Use 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Ginger paste
  • Fresh ginger

    Use equal weight; peel and grate very finely on a microplane or pound to a fine paste in a mortar.

  • Ginger

    Use equal weight; mince finely and crush with the flat of a knife before frying.

  • Ground ginger

    Use 20% of the weight; add directly with the dry spice powders, though it yields an earthier, less pungent profile.

Garlic paste
  • Garlic

    Use equal weight; crush or finely grate to a smooth pulp to replicate the same fresh, pungent moisture in your base gravy.

  • Garlic powder

    Use 20 to 25% of the weight; mix with a teaspoon of water before adding to oil so it does not burn, noting it lacks the fresh bite.

Chilli powder
  • Red chilli powder

    Use 100% of the weight. Provides direct, sharp heat and red colour in equal measure.

  • Kashmiri chilli powder

    Use 150% to 200% of the weight if matching colour, but add a pinch of black pepper or hot chilli if you need equivalent fiery heat.

  • Cayenne pepper

    Use 75% to 100% of the weight. Offers a sharp, clean heat with slightly less earthy depth and less crimson colour.

Button mushroom
  • Fresh mushroom

    Use the same weight; chestnut, oyster or any cultivated mushroom behaves the same. Wipe, slice and cook a minute or two longer if they throw water.

  • Canned bamboo shoots

    Use the same weight, sliced and rinsed; gives a similar soft crunch in stir-fries but no mushroom flavour, so add a little soy sauce.

Carrot
  • Turnip

    Use the same weight; peel and cut as for carrot. It is less sweet and slightly peppery, so add a pinch of sugar and expect a softer, more earthy result.

  • Potato

    Use the same weight; cut into similar pieces and add 5–10 minutes' extra cooking. It gives bulk but no carrot sweetness or colour.

  • Courgette

    Use the same weight; cut a little larger and add near the end. It releases water, so reduce other liquid slightly and expect a softer texture.

Green chilli
  • Chilli powder

    Use 10 to 15% of the weight (about 1/4 teaspoon per chilli); imparts dry pungent heat and reddens the dish without the grassy crunch.

  • Dried red chilli

    Use 1 dried pod per fresh green chilli; snap in half and temper in hot oil for a deeper, toastier heat.

Paneer
  • Extra-firm tofu

    Use equal weight, pressed well to remove excess moisture and cut into cubes. Pan-fry lightly before adding; absorbs sauces similarly, though it lacks dairy sweetness.

  • Halloumi

    Use equal weight, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes to leach out excess salt. Holds shape during frying, but has a denser, saltier chew.

Ginger
  • Fresh ginger

    Use equal weight; scrape off the skin and grate or finely julienne according to the recipe.

  • Ginger paste

    Use equal weight; stir straight into the sizzling aromatics, taking care as the extra moisture may spit.

  • Ground ginger

    Use 15 to 20% of the weight; add alongside ground spices, noting it imparts warm, dry heat rather than zesty freshness.

Pea
  • Green pea

    Use equal weight directly from fresh or frozen. Toss into the pan near the end of cooking to preserve sweetness and bright green colour.

  • Chana dal

    Use 70% of the weight, boiled until tender but holding shape. Adds pleasant body and starch, though it lacks the juicy sweetness of fresh peas.

Lemon juice
  • Lime juice

    Use equal volume or weight; delivers almost identical sharp acidity with a faintly more aromatic, bitter-edged profile.

  • Dried mango powder

    Use 25% of the weight (about 1 g amchoor for 4 g juice); provides clean fruity tartness without thinning the sauce.

  • White vinegar

    Use 75% of the volume; gives direct sourness without any citrus floral fragrance.

Red bell pepper
  • Bell pepper

    Use the same weight; any colour works. Slightly less sweet if green.

  • Yellow bell pepper

    Use the same weight; similar sweetness and texture, only colour changes.

  • Tomato

    Use the same weight; it is softer and more acidic, so reduce other souring agents. Good for body, not crunch.

Yellow bell pepper
  • Red bell pepper

    Use the same weight and cook the same way. It is sweeter and turns the dish red rather than yellow.

  • Green bell pepper

    Use the same weight. It is grassier and slightly bitter, so add a pinch of sugar and cook 1–2 minutes longer.

  • Courgette

    Use the same weight; halve and deseed if large, and add 3–4 minutes later as it releases water. Texture will be softer.

Pomegranate seed
  • Pomegranate

    Use the same weight of seeds from fresh fruit; about one fruit gives 100 g seeds. Deseed carefully.

  • Dried pomegranate seeds

    Use 20% of the weight, soak and crush; they add sourness, not fresh garnish.

  • Green grape

    Use the same weight, halved; good for garnish but less crunchy and less sour.

Black cumin seed
  • Nigella seeds

    Use the same weight; in Indian cooking this is usually the same seed. Toast lightly if the recipe asks for toasted.

  • Kalonji seed

    Use the same weight; it is another name for nigella. Add whole or crush lightly.

  • Cumin seed

    Use about 75% of the weight and toast before use; the flavour is different, more warm and less onion-like.

Ground cumin
  • Cumin seed

    Dry-roast briefly and grind finely; use equal weight (1:1). Imparts an even punchier, nuttier, toasty aroma than pre-ground cumin.

  • Ground coriander

    Use equal weight (1:1). Adds mild, lemony sweetness rather than cumin's smoky, earthy bite; curries will taste lighter and less savoury.

  • Black cumin seeds

    Grind finely; use 60% to 75% of the weight. Produces a darker, more complex, smoky-herbal flavour suited to rich gravies.

Coriander leaf
  • Coriander

    Use equal weight finely chopped; this is the exact same fresh herb.

  • Mint

    Use half the weight finely chopped; provides vibrant green freshness, though the flavour profile becomes noticeably cooler and sharper.

Ghee
  • Unsalted butter

    Use 120% of the weight; melt gently over low heat to avoid burning the milk solids, which will yield a softer, creamier richness rather than a nutty aroma.

  • Vegetable oil

    Use 85% of the weight; holds high cooking temperatures without smoking, but the final dish will lack traditional dairy depth.

  • Mustard oil

    Use equal weight; heat to smoking point and cool slightly before cooking, bearing in mind it introduces an assertive, pungent edge.

Plain yogurt
  • Yogurt

    Use equal weight, whisked thoroughly until smooth before adding to hot dishes to prevent curdling.

  • Coconut milk

    Use equal weight with 1 teaspoon lemon juice mixed in. Provides rich creaminess in curries, but adds a noticeable coconut flavour.

  • Single cream

    Use 80% of the weight plus a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. Enriches sauces nicely, though it is richer and less tangy.

Plain flour
  • Whole wheat flour

    Use the same weight, add 10–15% more water and rest the dough for 20 minutes; the result is heavier and nuttier.

  • Rice flour

    Use the same weight for crisp coatings; for doughs use no more than half rice flour with wheat flour, or it will be crumbly.

  • Cornflour

    For thickening use half the weight, mixed with cold water; it is not suitable for bread or chapati dough.

Similar dishes

Matar Paneer
Paneer & Pea Curry
Matar Paneer has a warmer, sweeter spice profile from black cardamom and cinnamon, lacking the sharp citrus acidity and crisp fried exterior of this dish.
  • Same: Matar Paneer shares the combination of paneer and green peas cooked with ginger, ground cumin, and chilli powder in ghee or oil.
  • Different: Matar Paneer is a simmered curry seasoned with turmeric, garam masala, and whole spices like cinnamon and cloves, whereas this dish encloses the filling in a deep-fried pastry seasoned with garlic, green chillies, lemon juice, and yogurt.
Matar Paneer
Paneer & Pea Curry
Matar Paneer is saucier and warmer from whole sweet spices and garam masala, lacking the sharp lemon tang, pungent garlic, and fresh green chilli heat of this dish.
  • Same: Matar Paneer shares the core combination of paneer and green peas cooked with ginger, cumin, chilli powder, and ghee or vegetable oil.
  • Different: Instead of being seasoned with garlic paste, black cumin seeds, and lemon juice and fried inside pastry dough, Matar Paneer is a simmered curry prepared with bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, black cardamom, turmeric, and garam masala.
Matar-Paneer ka Paratha
Shallow-fried Spicy Peas & Paneer Stuffed Bread
Matar-Paneer ka Paratha has a warm, subtly sweet, and earthy taste, lacking the tart acidity of lemon juice and the sharp heat of fresh chillies found in this dish.
  • Same: Matar-Paneer ka Paratha shares a core filling of green peas and paneer seasoned with chilli powder and coriander, cooked with oil or ghee.
  • Different: Matar-Paneer ka Paratha is griddle-cooked rather than deep-fried, using garam masala, asafoetida, and sugar instead of the fresh green chillies, ginger, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and yogurt used in this dish.
Subz Khara Masala
Mixed Vegetables with Whole Spices
Subz Khara Masala tastes tangy and lightly spiced from yogurt, tomato, and dried red chilli, with tender vegetables in a clinging sauce, while this dish is crisp, rich, and tart from pomegranate and lemon.
  • Same: Subz Khara Masala shares carrot, peas, green chilli, ginger paste, garlic paste, coriander leaf, and yogurt with this dish.
  • Different: Subz Khara Masala is a simmered yogurt-based mixed-vegetable dish with potato, cauliflower, green beans, spring onion, tomato, turmeric, dried red chilli, fenugreek leaves, and peanut oil, while this dish is a fried flour pastry filled with mushroom, paneer, bell peppers, pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, black cumin, and ghee.