The Perfect Roti

I am still searching for the recipe for the perfect roti. I am guilty, just like a lot of other people, of not really measuring the ingredients I add into my foods.. I just add how much I feel like adding. Sometimes, it turns out well. Other times, it doesn't. When we first moved to India, I came with a little bit of all the basic items for the kitchen: flours, spices, and rice. When I was out, I bought "atta" flour from the market. I thought "atta" meant roti. Unfortunately, this atta flour was a mixture of wheat and besan flour. So, when we would sit down and eat dinner, the rotis would be soft. By the next day's lunch, they would be hard and break apart. I thought I was making the rotis wrong until I realized it was just the flour.

My aunt from Puna was kind enough to provide me with her homemade ground wheat roti flour. The rotis now seem to turn out okay and remain soft for dinner and lunch. Here is how I make the rotis ..

1 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup maida or wheat flour for side when rolling
1.5 tbsp oil
warm water, as needed
Salt per taste (optional)

1. Warm up about a cup of water on the stovetop.
2. While the water is heating, sieve the wheat flour. If adding salt, add at this step. I do not add salt unless I am making paratha.
3. Add oil and mix together. Next, add the warm water, a little at a time, while mixing until you get a dough like consistency.
4. Knead the dough for a few minutes. Set aside for atleast 15-20 minutes before making rotis.
5. After the wait, grease your palms with a bit of oil. Then, knead the dough just a little more. Divide dough evenly and roll into golf sized balls.
6. Taking one ball at a time, dip it into the flour on the side and roll on flat surface with rolling pin until you get it round. Keep aside until all rotis are rolled.
7. Heat up skillet and bake one side, then turn over and bake other side. Repeat.
8. Butter one side of the roti and keep in rotis in air tight container so they stay soft.

For a step by step YouTube demonstration, you can watch Manjula make them by going to her website .
www.manjulaskitchen.com. (Labeled under Breads)