Wholewheat Flour Rotis

When the weather is chilly, the ultimate comfort food is a nice hot roti. Have it with butter or your favorite curry. It’s so satisfying. For me, during these cold mornings, a piping hot roti with some butter and cheese that starts to melt over it (a decent cheddar or mozzarella) hits the right spot. 

The excitement of flipping a roti on the tawa brings back memories from my childhood and early teenage days, especially that one specific day when My Mam (Grandma – mom’s mom) patiently taught me how to make roti for the first time. I remember struggling to roll them into perfect shapes. But that doesn’t erase the satisfaction you feel when your roti suddenly starts to puff, forming a small pillow-like shape on that tawa…

I also have these somewhat blurry images from when I was just a kid and used to spend my holidays in Beau Bassin. Dressed as usual in her saree, her silver hair, with discreet streaks of black, always into a tight neat bun, she would cook them outside on her treasured tawa. And then there was the mischievous touch that only my Mam could add. Butter and sugar hidden within the folds of a roti, a delightful secret… shh! Don’t tell the parents!

It’s amazing how the aroma of certain foods can be intertwined with treasured memories, taking us back to the joy of our childhood.

Now, as I share my recipe for healthy and delicious whole wheat rotis, I hope to pass on the joy and comfort that food can bring. This flour adds nutritional value while retaining the classic charm of rotis. 

This recipe makes 6 to 8 rotis.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups wheat flour
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Around ¾ cup water

Preparation

1. In a bowl mix your flour, salt and oil.
2. Next add ½ cup of water and knead the dough. Gradually add some more water, little by little and continue to knead till the dough becomes very soft. It should not be sticky. In case you find that it is sticky, add a little flour. That kneading process will take around 10 minutes. 
3. Cover the dough and let is rest for 20 minutes.
4. Now, roll your dough into small balls. Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface and use a rolling pin to roll out your small balls of dough, one by one, into flat circles. 
5. Heat your pan or tawa on medium heat. Once it is hot, brush with a tiny drizzle of oil or if you prefer, butter. Place your flat roti and let it cook for a few minutes (2-3 minutes on each side), before flipping the roti, brush with oil or butter and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. 

Enjoy with your favorite curry, chutneys or some butter. If you love cheese, try it with some.