Makki ki Roti

Name: Makki ki Roti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup maize flour (Makki ka atta); 1 cup hot water; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon cumin seeds; butter (for serving)

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Makki ki Roti

Makki ki Roti is a traditional Indian bread made with cornmeal or maize flour. It is an autumn and winter staple in Punjabi households in India and is best paired with sarson ka saag.

Growing up in Delhi, the combination of ‘Sarson ka saag and Makki ki roti’ with fresh homemade butter and a piece of jaggery was quintessentially what winter days were meant for! So, the memories and cravings are still instilled and as soon as we inch closer towards autumn/winters I am in search of fresh mustard leaves so I that I can make sarson ka saag with Makki ki roti.

Makki ki Roti is a vegan and gluten free bread. Makki di roti is not exactly a complicated recipe; it is just a technique you need to learn. Over the years, I have managed to learn a fool proof way of making perfect makki ki roti at home.

Relishing it with Sarson ka Saag is definitely a gastronomic experience but eating with other curries is a joyful experience as well.

Ingredients

1 cup maize flour (Makki ka atta)
1 cup hot water
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
butter (for serving)

Directions

Step-1

Mix makki ka atta, salt and cumin seeds in a bowl with your fingertips till everything is nicely combined.

Step-2

Add warm water gradually and knead a soft dough. Since this is gluten free dough it feels different while kneading. Adjust the water if needed to make a soft smooth dough.

Step-3

Heat a tawa/griddle/flat pan. Take a plastic freezer bag and cut it length ways.

Divide the dough in 4-5 equal parts. Take one part of the dough and roll it onto a ball. Roll the dough ball in some makki atta and place it in between the plastic sheets.

Step-4

Gently roll out the dough ball into a 4-5-inch disc. Do not press super hard or you will tear the roti. Also, be careful that you are not over rolling the same sections, or you will have an uneven roti. The roti should be around 3-4 mm thick.

Step-5

Gently remove the rolled roti and flip it to the hot tawa/griddle/pan. Cook it for about 2 minutes on the first side and 1 -2 minutes on the second side on medium heat. Cook the roti from both the sides till brown spots appear.

Step-6

Using tongs cook the roti on direct medium flame from both the sides till nicely browned.
Serve hot with sarson ka saag, butter and jaggery.

Tips & Variations

Instead of freezer bag you can use parchment paper as well.
I would highly recommend making this dough by hand instead of dough maker as the maize flour does not have gluten it does not need lots of kneading.
Makki ki roti is rolled slightly thicker and that is what gives it a great taste.
Always cook the Makki ki roti on low-medium heat. If you cook it on high heat, it will not be cooked from the centre and you will feel the raw taste.
Make sure to knead the dough very well before you start to roll the roti. Before rolling each roti, make the dough ball and knead that ball for a 20-23 seconds.
Add little water if the dough looks dry.
Always use warm water to knead the dough.
You can add grated onions, radish and fenugreek to the dough.