Destination
Krabi
The story
Thai street roti is Bangkok's Muslim-Thai fried flatbread sweetened for tourists and locals alike: paper-thin roti dough (a lightly sweet, elastic dough that's stretched hand-thin over an oiled counter — think Malaysian roti canai) is cooked on a hot flat griddle with butter, then topped while still on the pan with sliced banana, eggs (for savoury versions), Nutella, sweetened condensed milk and sugar. Folded into a square or a triangle, cut into small pieces and served on a small plate. Sold at every Bangkok tourist beach cart (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) and at the Muslim-quarter roti stalls in Bangkok. The banana-Nutella-condensed-milk sweet version is the tourist favourite; the savoury egg-onion version is more classical.
Method
Whisk flour, salt and sugar. Add egg, warm water and ghee. Knead 10 minutes into very soft, elastic dough.
Divide into 12 balls. Coat each generously in oil (submerge in a container). Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is better).
Oil a large counter. Working with one ball at a time: press and stretch outward from the centre until the dough is paper-thin and translucent (about 40 x 40cm).
Warm butter on a hot flat pan or griddle. Place stretched roti on the pan. Cook 60 seconds until the underside is golden.
Scatter sliced banana across half of the roti. Drizzle with condensed milk. Fold into a square by folding the sides over the filling. Cook 60 seconds each side.
Push roti to one side. Pour beaten egg + onion into empty space. Fold roti over the setting egg. Cook 90 seconds each side.
Slide roti onto a chopping board. Cut into 6 or 8 pieces.
Drizzle sweet version with more condensed milk, Nutella and a dust of sugar/cinnamon. Serve savoury with curry powder if you like. Serve immediately.
Tips
- Very soft, oil-soaked dough. This is what allows the paper-thin stretch. Do not add more flour to firm up.
- Overnight rest. Minimum 4 hours; overnight is much better.
- Butter on the griddle. This is what gives Thai street roti its specific rich flavour.
- Serve immediately. Roti softens within 5 minutes.
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