Salara AKA Red Cake – A Special Guyanese Treat

Many are familiar with the famous swiss roll which is usually filled with whip cream, jam or icing. However, in Guyana there is something quite similar but it’s a coconut roll filled with just that, coconut. They call it Salara or sometimes they say red coconut roll or red cake because the filling is dyed in a bright red. But it’s not exactly a cake, it can more be considered as a form of bread. Nevertheless, it is delicious, once you bite into a freshly baked salara, you’ll want to keep eating more and more. The juicy, flavoursome coconut filling makes it all the more so scrumptious. You are sure to enjoy this delish dish. Read on to find out how it’s made.

Salara

About Salara

Simply put, Salara is a bread, filled with grated, red coconut. The coconut is grated and dyed to achieve the appetizing red colour. This is then rolled and baked until the crust becomes golden brown. Salara can be eaten for breakfast or as a quick, sweet snack. This is a traditional Guyanese snack which can be found almost anywhere across the country.

Making The Scrumptious Guyanese Salara

Ingredients For Dough:

• 1 tbsp dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 cups flour

Ingredients For Filling:

• 2 coconuts, grated
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp mixed essence
• ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp water
• food colouring (red)

Method:

1. The first step is to mix the yeast in water.
2. Next, add a bit of sugar and set aside.
3. Add flour to a bowl then combine it with the shortening, sugar and salt.
4. Fourthly, add yeast and milk.
5. Knead into a dough and form a ball.
6. Set aside the dough to rise.
7. In a separate bowl mix grated coconut, 1/2 cup sugar,1 tsp mixed essence, a pinch ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp water, and food colouring (red).
8. Flatten the dough into a rectangular shape and dab lightly with butter. You may need to make more than one rectangle.
9.  Dish out some of the red filling, roll vertically and seal.
10. Set aside to rise once again.
11. Bake Salara at about 350°F for half an hour/thirty (30) mins until golden brown.
12. Cut into roll and serve warm.

Nutrition And Calories Of Salara

Calories per serving of Salara Cake (Coconut Roll)

• 137 calories of Flour, white, (0.30 cup)
• 38 calories of Granulated Sugar, (0.05 cup)
• 33 calories of Shortening, Crisco, (0.30 tbsp)
• 28 calories of Coconut, raw, (0.10 cup, shredded)
• 23 calories of Granulated Sugar, (0.03 cup)
• 14 calories of Milk, 2%, with added nonfat milk solids, without added vit A, (0.10 cup)
• 10 calories of Butter, unsalted, (0.10 tbsp)
• 7 calories of Egg, fresh, whole, raw, (0.10 large)
• 2 calories of Egg white, large, (0.10 serving)
• 0 calories of Salt, (0.10 tsp)

Nutrition Facts Of Salara (Servings Per Recipe: 10 – Serving Size: 1 serving)

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 287.4
• Total Fat 8.8 g
• Saturated Fat 4.5 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1 g
• Monounsaturated Fat 1.6 g
• Cholesterol 26.3 mg
• Sodium 251.4 mg
• Potassium 75.4 mg
• Total Carbohydrate 46.1 g
• Dietary Fiber 1.7 g
• Sugars 16.8 g
• Protein 5.9 g
• Vitamin A 2.4 %
• Vitamin B-12 0.9 %
• Vitamin B-6 1.4 %
• Vitamin C 0.5 %
• Vitamin D 0.7 %
• Vitamin E 5.3 %
• Calcium 3.8 %
• Copper  4.5 %
• Folate 18.3 %
• Iron 11.2 %
• Magnesium 2.8 %
• Manganese 18.9 %
• Niacin 11.3 %
• Pantothenic Acid 2.5 %
• Phosphorus 5.9 %
• Riboflavin 12.7 %
• Selenium 21.7 %
• Thiamin 20.2 %
• Zinc 2.7 %

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Fresh Salara

Salara In Guyana

Salara is a special snack in Guyana. It is sold at school canteens, vendors at the side of the road, shops, supermarkets and mostly in Bourda and Stabroek Market. Feel free to buy and sample this tasty coconut roll. You are sure to enjoy it. If you want to enjoy freshly baked salara you can follow the recipe above, your family and friends are sure to enjoy it. Take note of the calories found in the salara as well as the nutritional facts. This scrumptious, red-colored cake that is more of a bread is sure to satisfy any coconut cravings you may have.

Article References:

• https://www.alicaspepperpot.com/guyanese-salara-red-coconut-roll/
• https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=322574

Last Updated: 2020-07-09