Why is chapati special? Kenyan chapati is a staple across all of East Africa. Commonly served as a side dish or accompanied by a steaming cup of chai. The right tips makes it easy to prepare at home especially when most people believe it’s too complicated. Compared to other flat breads like roti and paratha, chapati’s golden layers and slight chewiness makes it unique. It is popularly served in celebrations like weddings, festive seasons like Christmas or during family gatherings.
By the end of this blog, you’ll be able to make chapati that is soft and rich in taste.
Ingredients
For 8 chapatis you’ll need:
3 cups of all-purpose wheat flour (sifted)
1 cup warm water (adjust when needed)
2 tablespoon vegetable oil (for dough)
1 tablespoon of salt
Extra flour (to dust)
Extra oil (to cook)
Instructions
- Make the dough – in a large bowl mix the flour, salt, and oil. Add warm little by little while kneading the dough. Make sure the dough is soft and not sticky (takes about 10 minutes). After kneading, cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes as this helps gluten develop and make chapati soft.
- Divide and roll out – after resting, roll out the dough and divide it into equal balls (about the size of a golf ball). Lightly flour your surface. Roll each ball into thin round disc.
- Pan fry the chapatis – heat a non-stick pan on medium heat. Place the rolled dough on the hot pan. Brush a little oil and cook till golden brown on both sides. Keep repeating with the remaining dough.
Pro tips for soft, fluffy chapati
· Use warm water in kneading the dough – it will make chapati softer
· Rest the dough for minimum 30 minutes
· Don’t over roll. Chapati should be thin but not paper thin; too thin and they dry out
· Medium heat is crucial. High heat burns chapati before they cook inside
· Brush with oil after flipping. This keeps the chapati moist and releases flavor. Chapati is a versatile meal – have it with chicken, beef or vegetable stew, beans, or ndengu (green grams), or a cup of Kenyan Chai.
This makes chapatti fulfilling, flavorful and an affordable meal for any time.
Conclusion
Making chapati doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right ingredients, and a few tips makes it simple to understand in order to prepare a soft and fluffy chapati. You can make it the traditional way or try out different techniques like coconut or stuffed chapati in the comfort of your home. From this simple tips, you’ll understand why it’s a favorite across East Africa.
Roll up your sleeves and make your own chapati from scratch.
