In America and other Western countries, bread often comes in a pre-sliced loaf, bought from the grocery store and devoured over the course of a couple of days. But in the majority of the world, bread is made fresh for each meal and is often used as a way to fill the belly, scoop up the meat or veggies (in place of a fork or spoon), and sometimes even as a napkin to clean off your fingers during your last couple of bites.
Roti is a flat bread that is prepared for each meal and eaten with beans, lentils, cooked vegetables or meat curries. In Northern India especially, girls are taught at a young age how to prepare the roti dough and cook it over an open flame.
Roti is the perfect example of “daily bread” and is similar to what Jesus and His followers would have eaten for most of their meals. It is a reminder of God’s daily provision for everything we need!
Here is a simple recipe for you to try to make roti at home!
Roti
(This recipe will make about twelve 6-8 inch diameter rotis)
- 2 cups wheat flour
- 2 cups white flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2-3 teaspoons of oil (or melted butter or ghee)
Mix the ingredients together well. Slowly add 1 cup of water and knead into the dry ingredients. Continue to add more water (between ¾ c and 1 c).
Knead ingredients together until the dough is soft and malleable. The dry ingredients should be well-combined (not sticking to your hands and not crumbly). Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
Next, heat your skillet for a few minutes over an open flame. (If you do not have a gas stove, it will still work, but the roti will not puff up)
Finally, knead the dough for another minute, then make 1.5 inch dough balls. Dip each side in dry white flour. Roll the dough balls out into even circles with a rolling pin.
Cook roti on both sides for 45-60 seconds.
After both sides have been cooked, remove your skillet from the eye and set the roti directly over the open flame. The roti should puff up. Cook for a few seconds on both sides to get a nice browned look and smokey taste!
Enjoy with chicken or veg curry. If you want a really easy meal, just cook a pound of chicken (cut into small pieces) in 2 tablespoons of butter. When the chicken is halfway cooked, add 1 jar of ready made curry sauce. (My favorites are Patak’s Original Simmer Sauce in Chicken Tikka Masala or Butter Chicken flavors. You can find these at any local grocery store.) Finish cooking the chicken in the sauce and enjoy with your roti (try eating your meal without utensils!).
Watch this video before you start to see exactly how it is done in an Indian kitchen!