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Chapati

Chapati is a traditional East African recipe (based on an Indian original) for a classic flour-based flatbread fried in oil and coated with ghee before serving. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic East African version of: Chapati.

prep time

15 minutes

cook time

35 minutes

Total Time:

50 minutes

Makes:

8

Rating: 4.5 star rating

Tags : Bread RecipesBaking RecipesEast-africa Recipes


These Indian, unleavened, flat breads were introduced to East Africa and South Africa by Indian traders and settlers. They are particularly common amongst the Swahili-speaking peoples of East Africa.

Ingredients:

450g plain flour
1 tsp salt
400ml warm water
oil for cooking
ghee for coating

Method:

Sift the flour and salt together into a bowl then slowly add just enough water for the flour mixture to come to a stiff dough. Tip this onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes. Once kneaded return the dough to a clean bowl, cover with a cloth and allow to rest for half an hour.

Lightly grease and pre-heat a frying pan. Whilst the pan is heating divide the dough into roughly orange-sized balls. Flatten these into circles abut 15cm in diameter. Fry these discs individually in the griddle, turning once, until both sides are golden brown and spotted.

Cover the finished chapatis in foil to prevent drying and place in a warm oven until all the breads are done.

To serve, coat one side in ghee and use as an accompaniment to any soup, stew or curry.