Rumali Roti is one of the unleavened Indian breads that is made traditionally in the Awadhi, Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisines. Roomali roti are thin soft rotis and can be folded like a handkerchief. Hence the name Rumali or Roomali roti. The word 'rumal' means handkerchief in Hindi language.
Prep Time35 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Awadhi, Hyderabadi, Mughlai, North Indian
In a large bowl or a parat (wide rimmed plate) take the whole wheat flour all purpose flour.
Also add 1.5 teaspoon salt or add as required.
Add 1.25 to 1.35 cups water in parts or intervals.
Mix and begin to knead. Adding water in parts knead to a slightly sticky dough.
Cover the dough with a moist cotton napkin or muslin. Keep aside to rest for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes again knead the dough.
Make medium sized balls from the dough. Cover with the moist cotton napkin and keep aside.
Rolling rumali roti
Take a dough ball and sprinkle some whole wheat flour all over.
With a rolling pin begin to roll the dough.
While rolling sprinkle flour evenly all over if the dough sticks or gets sticky. Roll to thin rotis having 11 to 12 inches diameter.
Do not add too much flour when rolling. Add only enough flour which will help in rolling. If there is a lot of flour covering the rotis, then the rotis will become hard.
Roll to thin and slightly transparent rotis. Also roll evenly and keep edges thin if they become thick.
Making roomali roti on inverted tawa or kadai
Now invert concave tawa or kadai with a long handle. It is better to have an handle on the tawa. Keep the heat to medium or medium-high.
Sprinkle some flour on the tawa. If its become golden, then the temperature is fine on the tawa. If it burns quickly as soon as you add flour, then reduce the heat.Wipe off this flour from the tawa with a folded cotton kitchen napkin carefully.
Gently place the roti on the inverted tawa.
Begin to roast roti on medium to medium-high heat. You will see bubbles appearing on the roti. With a clean folded cotton napkin, press the edges, center and sides so that the roti gets cooked.
Roast for 40 to 45 seconds or till you see bubbles all over. Do not cook too much or the rotis get a hard texture.
Then flip with the help of tongs and roast the other side. At this step too press the rumali roti with the napkin. Cook the second side for 30 to 35 seconds. Timing will vary depending on size, thickness of pan and flame intensity.
Flip and place in a plate. You can spread some oil or ghee on the rumali roti if you want.
Then fold with the help of tongs and serve hot. This way make all roomali roti in batches. Serve the rotis hot or else they become chewy.
Pair Roomali Roti with any North Indian main course of dal or curries.
Notes
Add water as needed to make a soft and slightly sticky dough.
You could use a concave shaped tawa with a handle or a kadai (wok) with a round bottom to cook the rumali roti. If you have neither of these, then simply cook the rotis on a flat skillet or tawa.
While I have used a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour, you could simply use only all-purpose flour if you prefer.