When we recently made our Cortijo Curry, we also made a little batch of roti, to accompany the meal.
Roti is an unleavened, flat bread (which does puff up when cooked) and is also known, I believe as chapati (I am prepared to be corrected if they are different, but all my recipes seem to indicate they are pretty much the same thing).
Super simple and quick to make, they´re also great to use as an alternative to tortilla wraps or if you just fancy a change.
Ingredients (to make 6)
- 200g chapati flour (or finely ground wholemeal flour)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- Water
Add the salt to the flour then mix in the oil. Gradually add drops of water (you won´t need much) until the mixture comes together then knead for about 10 minutes. Leave to rest for 30 minutes if possible.
Divide into 6 portions and roll each one into a ball, then roll the ball flat using a rolling pin.
Heat a non stick frying pan until very hot and place a roti in the pan. Press down on it (I used a spatula) as it cooks. When the underside is speckled brown, flip it over and repeat. As you press on it, it will start to puff up. You can also do this by holding it over a flame once it is cooked. We did try this as well, but found that they puffed up nicely in the frying pan.
Wrap in a tea towel to keep warm and serve immediately – they will lose some of their puffiness as they cool down, but taste delicious!
If you enjoy curries, do check out this lovely recipe from Frugal Feeding as well.
Chica Andaluza 
That looks perfect are you sure you’re not half Indian 😉
I don´t think so..but I believe my mum thinks she is! Honestly, I could eat curry several times a week…maybe I´ll gradually introduce more into the summer meals until Big Man becomes an addict like me 😉
They look wonderful! It’s years since I’ve made chapatis and I don’t think they were ever as puffy as these, so perhaps rotis are different. Equally delicious to accompany curry, though. I used to make puris too – similar rounds of dough but deep fried and they used to puff up beautifully….they used to be an important part of our Sunday lunch in Wales!
I´d love to know definitively if they are the same or different – hopefully someone can enlighten us. I adore puris but have never made them….that´s on the list now! (And that sounds like the best Sunday lunch)
How wonderful! I had no idea roti/chapati was so incredibly easy to make. Thank you for enlightening me and now I will have to make some myself!
Super easy, so handy for those “I´ve run out of bread” emergencies!
Oh I love roti so this is a must. When I was working in the city many years ago I used to pop out to a wee Chenai curry place for lunch sometimes and had to have extra roti each and every time. Yummmmm Now I can make them
And they´re so quick and easy – resting them does seem to make them puff up more though.
Very good article .Please do not prepare Roti on the direct gas.It is not recommended if you eat it daily.
Thnks! We don´t eat roti that often but I´m interested to know why its not recommended to prepare on the direct gas? Health reasons?
Yes!!
I’m guessing because it might char the bread slightly, perhaps?
That´s what I was thinking….
Chica’s flatbread and Frugal’s curry for us tonight!
I´m packing now – should be with you in time!
Looks simple and delicious. Also makes me long for a gas burner.
Very simple indeed and I love having my big gas hob!
Oh, that looks great…and easy.
We’re all about easy these days…
Yes, I can understand that! Hope all is ok with you guys 🙂
This looks like a winner! x
🙂
perfect for mopping up the curry and dal 🙂
Indeed – sometimes I don´t bother with rice, just the bread is enough!
Wow! tienen una pinta buenísima. La harina, la compraste en algún sitio especial?
Gracias Giovanna. Si, la harina lo he encontrado en una tienda inglesa, pero creo con harina integral muy fina (posiblemente hay que pasarla por la “food processor” en casa) funciona bien también.
One of my favourite breads, I love it specially when its freshly cooked then paired with your favourite curry. Mmmmm
Yes, it really does taste so much better eaten when it´s just made!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Roti and ate veggie filled varieties at every opportunity when we were living in Mauritius – they used to have stalls scattered everywhere. It was a standard lunch for me every Monday and Friday when I dropped our housekeeper off to catch the bus – oh what happy food memories.
🙂 Mandy
They´re tasty aren´t they and I bet the veggie filled ones from the stalls were amazing!
Never tried making these – I’ve got pita bread and tortillas down, I’ve been meaning to make some indian breads for a while. Looks like you did a fantastic job – I know what you mean about curry, I could eat it every day too… soo yummy 😀
This is pretty much the same method…you´ll have no problem with these!
Flatbread the world over, these remind me of flour tortillas but maybe slightly more puffy! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Very similar indeed!
I don’t recall having roti when having a curry. Naan is all I remember. going have to change that! These would make a welcome change from the flatbread (pieda) that we make — and just as easy to make, as well. Thanks, Tanya, for today’s cooking lesson. 🙂
Naan is so good but it´s hard to recreate properly at home (at least I´ve found that) so roti is a good (and easy) home bread to make. You should also try puri on one of your restaurant trips – buttery, flaky (zillions of calories but what the heck) and oh so good!
Mmmmm, my favorite is garlic naan with garlic, dipped in tikka masala sauce. I’m bookmarking your Indian food recipe series – I’m a huge fan of Indian food too, and for some reason your recipe instructions don’t overwhelm me like cookbooks do. (Is that strange?) Anyway, can’t wait! 🙂
Garlic naan is sooooo good! Glad you like these recipes, can really recommend her books.
I love flat bread!
will have to try this one soon
Hi Sawsan, looks like you are playing catch up – do appreciate all your lovely comments!
So sorry for the comment overload Tanya, it is just that whenever I can I love to catch up on as many of your wonderful posts as possible. I am sorry I don’t comment on each post as it comes out but I am always tight on time
Love roti and homemade is the best
You´re right, I couldn´t believe how simple and tasty they were the first time I made them!
so simple and I love bread