Sada Roti – A Quick And Simple Flatbread Made In Guyana!

Sada roti. This roti can be a lifesaver if you are too busy to make paratha/oil roti. For those who know how to make oil roti, they can relate the amount of work that goes in to make that delicately fresh roti. Indeed, sometimes the time is just not at hand, so a quick and easy substitute is sada roti. This particular roti resembles what some may know as pita bread. It is heavier and more solid than the oil roti and has its own unique and delicious taste.

Sada Roti -Photo by Umair Mohsin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/umairmohsin/759221239)

About Sada Roti

Sada roti is a flat, thin bread which is influenced by the East Indian culture. This flatbread is found throughout the Caribbean, especially in Guyana. Making Sada roti is very simple and it can be made in under an hour. It is not labour intensive as half of this time is leaving the dough to rise. Sada roti can be eaten for almost any meal and is especially tasty when paired with baigan (eggplant) or tomato choka. You can also enjoy sada roti with a simple spread such as butter, peanut butter, cheese spread or jam.

Cooking Sada Roti

By tradition, all roti is cooked on a cast-iron skillet known as a tawah. The Sada roti is usually thick, which is determined by the thickness of the dough. The roti is allowed to brown, which produces a nice flavour to the flat bread.

Did You Know? Sada roti will swell and may even burst.

Making The Roti “Swell”

To make your sada roti “swell”, you need to place it on the edge of the tawah and turn it clockwise over the flame. Your roti should begin to swell, keep moving it over the fire to help it swell. However, if it did not swell while cooking on the tawah, place the roti in the microwave for about 5 to 30 seconds. Also, if you do not have a gas stove (this eliminates the “fire swelling” option), you can place the roti in the microwave for it to swell. If you do not have a microwave, you can place the roti under broiler in your oven for a few minutes until it swells. Leave the oven door slightly open so you can keep an eye on it.

Tip: If you do decide to use the traditional way (over the fire) to swell your roti, do remember to use an oven mitt to prevent burning your hands and fingers.

How To Make Sada Roti

Sada Roti

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cups water

Method:

1. Mix flour and baking powder in a large bowl.
2. Add water and knead to form a soft, workable dough.
3. Allow it to rise for 20 minutes.
4. Heat your skillet or tawah.
5. Divide dough into four pieces.
6. Lightly dust your surface and rolling pin (belna) with flour.
7. Roll dough into ball, then flatten with rolling pin to about1/4 inch thick and 5 inch wide.
8. Put roti on skillet or tawah and let it cook until one side swells.
9. Then flip and allow the other side to cook.
10.  Remove from heat and wrap in a towel.
11. Repeat the above steps for the rest of the dough balls.
12. When the roti is done, serve with curry, peanut butter or jam.

Watch This: Sada Roti, step by step Video Recipe II Real Nice Guyana

Sada Roti In Guyana

Many Guyanese enjoy eating sada roti; for some they just spread a little butter and eat, for others they eat it with various stews, curries and vegetables. It is very simple, quick and easy if you practice how to make it very well. After cooking your sada roti you can wrap it in a towel or paper towel to store. The protects it from direct air which makes it hard and inedible. It keeps for a few days in the refrigerator and you can reheat it in the microwave. After doing all of this, you are certain to enjoy your quick and easy flatbread – sada roti.

Article References:

• https://www.thespruceeats.com/sada-roti-2138052
• http://caribbeanpot.com/make-room-for-sada-roti-pita-bread/

Last Updated: 2020-07-17