December 21, 2007
What sounds better than a hot, steaming loaf of coffee bread? Last Sunday morning, we were reduced to eating coffee bread for breakfast, because our usual place that serves roti canai was closed. We had impulsively bought the bread the day before at a supermarket, and, as I munched bread that tasted like it was made from coffee grounds, I missed roti even more.
In India, Uma told us roti is a generic word for bread. A special type of roti , called parota (especially in the Indian state of Kerala), became a favorite for us. Phyllo-like dough is stretched thin, folded to form layers and slapped down on a griddle and served very hot. In Malaysia, the same food appears as roti or more accurately roti canai (pronouced: rowtee chanai). It's usually accompanied with a sauce made from potatoes, lentils and spices.
It's not only mouth watering, but the preparation can be fun to watch. I took a very brief video of one energized roti roti maker in Kangar, Malaysia:
Next I'd like to find a recipe--I can't think of a better souvenir!
