Fluffy Veggie-Filled Piglet Rolls: A Cute and Delicious Snack

While searching for quick snack recipes, I stumbled upon these adorable piglet dinner rolls on the blog Flavor Corner. I was in search of a recipe that was not too oily (so it could be baked), easy to make, and still looked cute.

I followed the recipe with slight adjustments to the measurements according to my taste, and the results were fantastic! I always feel inspired when my experiments turn out successful.

What I love most about this recipe is the numerous ways you can stuff the bread, such as with spicy Indian filling, feta cheese and spinach, or cheese and veggies. The bread is as soft as Indian pav, slightly sweet and fluffy, and the spicy potato filling gives it the taste of a samosa. What more could you want when you get the taste of samosas but without the deep-frying?

And if you make them with a 5-year-old, the excitement factor increases, of course!

These measurements will yield around 15 medium-sized rolls.

Aint I cute!

Ingredients:

For dinner rolls dough:

• 250 ml milk
• 50 gms sugar
• 60 ml vegetable oil
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 375 gms all-purpose flour (maida)
• 50 gms all-purpose flour (maida) for later use
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• Cloves or Black Peppercorns to make eyes

For filling:

• 1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup carrots, diced
• 1/4 cup green peas (frozen)
• 4 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 2 green chillies, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (Jeera)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (Haldi)
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (optional)
• 1 tsp Chaat Masala
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• Salt to taste

Method:

Mix sugar, milk and oil in a pan and heat it just before its about to start to boil. Switch Off the heat and let it cool down.

Once lukewarm, add the yeast and let it sit for a minute.

Now add 375 gms flour to this mixture and let it rise for an hour or so. This dough will be sticky and wet but that is how it shoukd be, just keep it in a warm lace so that it helps it to doubled the size.

For filling, Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeda, and let it splutter. Stir in chilies, Onion, pepper, carrot and peas and saute until it is almost cooked (you can cover with lid to steam it).

Now add the mashed potatoes and season with red chilli powder, chaat masala, garam masala, and cumin powder. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Once done let it cool.

Back to dough, sprinkle the remaining 50 gms flour + baking soda, baking powder and salt to this dough and make firm and very soft dough. You can vary the quantity of flour to make the dough bit firm.

Make lemon size balls out of this dough and set aside covered by lid to rise for 15- 20 mins. One of the balls will be used to make tails, nose and ears of piglets.

Now to start with stuffing the balls, roll one of the dough ball into a circle of diameter of around 10 cms; Make the edges of the circle slightly thinner than the center. Place a tbsp of stuffing at the center of the circle.

Gather the edges of circle to make a pouch of this dough with filling intact inside. Press it to make it uniform and oblonged shape.

Place on a baking tray, Repeat the process for the remaining dough balls.

Cover the dough balls with a damp towel or a lid and let it rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes until slightly puffy.
Preheat the oven to 220 degrees celsius.

Now just before putting these rolls in oven, we'll make ears, nose and tail with pea sized pieces of dough and stick to the 'body' with the help of tip of water.

Stick two toothpicks into oval piece to make the nostrils. Leave the toothpicks in the dough while baking so that the holes do not seal up in oven. Prick two holes in place of eyes with help of toothpick and then insert the cloves. 

Place in oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool then carefully remove the toothpicks and serve.

This is a great snack favorite among kids and can be served at kids' events.