Recipe: Maldives chapatti and banana puri

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The chapatti is from the same family as the rotis, the famous Indian breads eaten on every street corner of the subcontinent. These loaves emerged in the sixteenth century in Indian and their recipe has hardly changed since.

This recipe from Constance Halaveli, is a modernised version of the original classic.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Chapatti:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1 pinch of salt

1. In a bowl, mix together the flour and salt, and using a wooden spatula, stir it while adding the olive oil and hot water. You will get a soft elastic dough, but not sticky.

2. On a lightly-floured worktop, knead the dough until it is smooth and fluffy.

3. Divide it into 10 equal portions, or fewer if you want larger loaves. Roll them into balls and let them rest for a few minutes.

Banana puri:

• 30g flour
• 30g salt
• 20g pepper
• 40g ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons water
• 60ml milk
• Ghee vegetable butter plant: to taste

1. Make a firm but pliable dough and cover it with a damp cloth for 30 minutes.

2. Knead the dough gently. it should be firm enough to be able to spread without sticking.

3. Divide it into small balls and cover them with a damp cloth.

4. take a ball of dough, dip at an angle in a mixture of Ghee and oil and spread it into a round 13cm diameter shape. Do the same with the rest of the puris.

Finishing and presentation

The chapattis:

Heat a griddle and lightly grease it. Using a rolling pin, roll out the balls. They must be quite thin, like tortillas. When the griddle starts to smoke, add the chapatti and cook for about 30 seconds to produce a brown colour. Turn it over and cook it in the same way. Continue with the rest of the dough.

Banana puris:

Heat a wok filled with oil to 200˚C. Dip the puris in the oil. Using a slotted spoon, and while shaking them, make the puris rise by covering them with hot oil. This operation lasts only a few seconds. Turn the puris over and continue cooking then so that they go a nice golden brown colour.

Sommelier’s suggested wine

White aromatic wine:

• Alsace Pinot blanc, “Mise de Printemps”, Josmeyer, 2009 France
• Stellenbosch Neethlingshof, Gewè╝rztraminer, 2010 South Africa.

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