Roti is a simple but tasty bread that is easy to make. It is also known as ‘chapatti’. It has been a basic food in South Asian cuisine for centuries. Because of its skill and ease of preparation, roti is a famous flatbread worldwide, including Australia. Whether you’re exploring Indian cuisine or looking to add a wholesome bread option to your meals, this article will guide you how to make roti.
What is a roti?
Roti is a simple unraised bread usually made from wholemeal flour and water. It is prepared using a flat griddle commonly known as a ‘tawa.’ It is not like naan which needs baking powder or yeast to rise. Roti is quick to prepare and a healthier and more common option of bread. A classic bread hailing from the Indian subcontinent, it holds a special place in the region’s culinary heritage. Vegetables and curries are frequently used to enhance its taste.
Ingredients for cooking roti
There is a small amount of of ingredients for making roti that are easily reachable in every kitchen. These ingredients are as follows:
- Wheat flour: Wheat flour is the key ingredient of roti. Wholemeal flour commonly known as ‘atta’ will be used for making the dough.
- Water: Water is needed to mix the flour. Its quantity depends upon the need.
- Oil or Ghee: Oil or ghee is optional. They are usually used to make the roti soft.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is also used in some kitchens to enhance the taste of roti. It is also optional.
How to make roti?
Roti is prepared by following some simple steps. Let’s know the steps of making roti:
1. Preparation of dough
The first step is to prepare the dough. Consider the following points for making perfect dough:
- Kneading the dough perfectly: To make the dough level and pliable, knead it for 8-10 minutes. Ensure perfect kneading of the dough as it is important to make roti smooth and fluffy.
- Combine all the ingredients: Mix wheat flour or salt (if using) in a large bowl. Slowly incorporate water into the mixture, blending it to form a smooth dough. At this time, Add oil or ghee if desired.
- Final proof: Use a wet cloth to cover the dough and allow it to rest for about 20-30 minutes. This step will ensure the development of gluten, making the dough easier to handle.
2. Rolling the Roti
As your smooth dough is perfectly made, it’s time to roll out the roti. Make sure these two steps:
- Divide into portions: After rest, ensure the partition of dough into equal-sized balls. The size of these balls will same as the size of golf balls.
- Flatten and roll: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour. Roll each ball into thin, circular discs about 15–20 cm in diameter, ensuring even thickness for consistent cooking.
3. Making the roti
At this step, your roti is ready but uncooked. Examine the following steps to cook the roti:
- Heating the skillet: Use a tawa or flat skillet for cooking roti. Heat the pan over medium heat and let it warm up.
- Cooking on one side: Put the roti on the hot skillet. Allow one side of the roti to cook for the time of 35-40 seconds or until the bubbles start to form.
- Turn over: Roll over the roti and cook the other side of the roti in the same way.
- Last flip: Turn the roti over one final time. Gently press the roti using a spatula or a fresh cloth. This will help in blowing the roti. Both sides of the roti have become golden with light brown marks. Now remove it from the heat as the delicious and soft roti has been prepared.
Serving Suggestions
Roti is adaptable and can be served with many dishes. Here are some suggestions for serving the roti and making your meal more interesting and delicious:
- Curries: Curries are famous for serving the roti. Many people loved the combination of curry with the roti. The famous curries options include bean lentil-based curry, butter chicken, or vegetable curry.
- Wraps: You can also use roti as a foundation for wraps filled with chicken, roasted vegetables, or tofu for speedy and healthy food.
- Breakfast: Jam or butter spread on the roti is also a tasty choice for a healthy breakfast.
Tips for cooking the best roti
Look at the following suggestions if you want to make your roti perfect and fluffy:
- Selection of flour: Use fresh and remarkable wholemeal flour to make the dough smooth and ultimately the best roti.
- Add water gradually to the dough: Always add water slowly while kneading the dough. This will assist in avoiding making the dough sticky or dry.
- Using medium-high heat for cooking: The medium-high heat is commonly considered as the best temperature for making roti. A hot skillet helps in cooking the roti quickly and fairly resultantly puffing up the roti beautifully.
- Save it warm: Put the cooked roti in a clean cloth to keep them soft and warm. This will help in maintaining the softness of cooked rotis.
Following these tips will make your roti fluffy and delicious.
Why make roti at home in Australia?
There are many advantages of cooking roti at home for Australians to expand their cooking skills:
- Cultural background: Learning how to make roti will help you to know the essential features of South Asian cuisine, offering an enhanced cultural experience.
- Nutritious option: A homemade roti is a healthy choice as it does not contain any preservatives or additives as compared to readymade bread.
- Profitable: Roti is affordable as it requires a small amount of ingredients. These ingredients can be easily found in supermarkets like Woolworths or Coles.
Final thoughts
In short, learning how to make roti is an outstanding experience whether you are an Australian chef or seeking better choices for making roti. You can make a delicious soft roti with the help of some ingredients and practice. Different types of curries and dishes also add a bit of flavour to the roti taste. So, fold your sleeves, heat the skillet and make appetizing rotis to meet your hunger pangs.
