AKKI ROTI

A classic flatbread from Karnataka Akki is Kannada for rice flour and roti is a flatbread. This is prepared in a similar way to Maharashtra’s Thalipeet.

Akki Roti

Ingredients for 5, 5 inch round breads

1 cup rice flour

1 tsp roasted besan flour

1/4 cup peeled and grated carrot or capsicum

2 tbsp very finely chopped white bulb of green onions (scallions)

2 tbsps freshly grated white meat of coconut

1-2 Indian green chillies very finely chopped and mixed with 1 tsp salt

1 tbsp finely chopped dill leaves (sabsige or sepu)

1 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger

1 tsp cumin seeds

1.25 tablespoons of ghee plus more for frying

1 banana leaf or equivalent length of butter or wax paper cut into 5 inch squares

Method:

Combine all the ingredients except cumin and ghee in a mixing bowl or parat. Heat ghee and saute the cumin. Cool the spiced ghee then add to the flours in the parat.

Add a half cup of water and started mixing the dough with your fingers. Keep adding water until you have a smooth dough. Knead this dough until smooth and shiny about 2-3 minutes.

Divide it into 5-6 balls of equal size.

Rub your and palms fingers with a little water. Pat one ball between your fingers to flatten it.

Then place it on a 5 inch square of butter paper or banana leaf and using your palm flatten the ball to spread it. Place another 5 inch square of banana leaf or butter paper over it and using a rolling pin roll the top of the banana leaf or butter paper to spread out the Akki roti until it is about 5 inches wide. Remove the top leaf or paper and reserve. Using a fork make a few holes in the Akki roti.

Set a tawa or flat griddle to heat on low heat. Using the banana leaf as a base lift the Akki roti and slap it face down onto the warm tawa. the banana leaf or butter paper should be on top.

Cook on a slow flame until the roti loosens at the bottom and browns slightly. Turn it over and remove the banana leaf. Cook this side in the same way.

Apply a little ghee on both sides and cook till golden and fragrant. Serve warm with podi, chutney, butter, randaayi, ghashi or anything accompaniment of your choice.

Akki Roti with fresh dill, green chillies, carrots and green onions