Somewhere along the road to cookies, cakes and pastries I almost forgot about ‘Meethi Roti’. Meethi means sweet and Roti means round flat bread. It’s nothing fancy but it’s near and dear to my heart because my mom often made this for our after school snack. I am sure every Indian has had this as a kid.
Photo updated 2015
It’s impossible not to think about her when yesterday was her death anniversary and in three days its mother’s day. I can still remember the sweet smell that would come from the kitchen when we came from school. Those were the days when sweets were a rare treat in our house and we always look forward to such simple sweet snacks made with love. It was her way of saying that she loved us. She used to make this roti with multi grain flour and crushed jaggery during winters but as kids we preferred with sugar as it added a nice crunch and chewiness to the bite. It was so lovely to eat with fresh malai (a type of clotted cream made by heating non homogenized milk) or home made butter.
Before I come to the recipe I want to show you an aluminium sandwich maker.
This sandwich maker is more than 40 years old, when electric toasters were not easily available in India and we made sandwiches in this aluminum sandwich maker. After my mom’s death I brought with me few things from her kitchen to keep her memory alive. At that time I never knew that this sandwich maker will be so perfect for my gluten free breads. Because gf bread slices are smaller in size and this is perfect for making sandwiches. It takes 1-2 minute on each side to cook a stuffed gluten free toast on open flame. The clamp to shut this sandwich maker is broken but I am holding on to it as a priceless possession of my mom just like her memories.
SAUNF WALI MEETHI ROTI (Mom’s recipe)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup + 1tbsp Gluten free white chapatti flour
1/4 tsp Saunf (fennel seeds), crushed
1 tsp confectioner’s sugar ( not required if making with wheat flour)
water for kneading dough
1 tbsp +1 tsp turbinado sugar
oil for cooking
To serve
whipped butter or cream
some chopped pistachios or any nut of your choice
Method:
Take Gf flour, crushed saunf and confectioner’s sugar in a bowl.
Knead a soft dough using water. Make two balls.
Use rolling pin to roll out two chapatis as written here.
Set aside one roti and sprinkle sugar over the second roti (roll this one about a cm bigger).
Place the first chapatti on top, press in the centre. Holding plastic wrap, close th edges overlapping on the top chapati k ( if using wheat flour no need to sandwich two chapattis. You can easily fold up the chapatti with sugar in a square and roll out again before cooking). Put plastic wrap and lightly roll one last time.
Heat a cast iron or non-stick griddle on low heat. Gently place the roti on the griddle. Flip the roti after 20-30 seconds and let the other side cook for about 15 seconds. Now flip again and brush oil on chapatti (the side that you cooked for 15 sec); Turn and cook the oiled part of chapatti till you see nice brown freckles.
Remove when both sides are cooked and cut into wedges.
Serve with whipped butter, cream and nuts.
anne
One of these days , I will try to make roti ! Would like some savory filling in it ! So for now , let me drool over your yummy snack ! 😀
There’s nothing more yummier than Mom’s cooking ! 😉
Malti
Hi Neetu,
Recalling and recreating your mother’s cooking is the best honour you can give to your late mother. I very much liked your post.
Every mother deserves recognition. My mother lives with me and I love to enjoy a meal with my family which my boys and husband cooks on this day.
Shirley Tay
OMY, the toaster is an antique! U must treasure it well 🙂 The roti looks thin & crispy. I could taste the crunch! Happy Mother’s Day to u & be sure to head over for a mouth-watering dish + some laughter @ Surprise Mom with A Stalk of Abalone Flower On Mother’s Day!
Choc Chip Uru
This looks absolutely beautiful my friend – I am a very big fan of sweet roti such as this 😀
Reminds me of my grandmother far away in India 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
MyFudo™
Now that I am already a mom myself, I understand how my mom would like to try and do everything by herself when it is so easy to get the same product from Walmart. I understand completely know. I have the same urge to a completely homemade everything household.
I bet your mom is smiling once she sees how you appreciate her love and her recipe.
Kiri W.
How wonderful – I’ve never had fennel roti, but it sounds delightful 🙂
Tina Bk
Food can conjure up memories from the past as well as be a comfort. Sweet of you to pay tribute to your mom by posting this childhood snack. I can see why it was a favorite around the house-your sweet roti looks delicious! Enjoy the weekend.
Soni
You reminded me of the stuff that my Mom also made for us many times!!So yummy and something I’ve never made for my kids yet!I have to make this soon :)Thanks for sharing Neetu!
Navaneetham Krishnan
I am sure you are cherishing the fond memories of your mum and the food she made. Great that you kept the toaster until now and sure making good use of it now. We too have similar type of bread but yours is full of the spiced up flavours. Our is more of just plain and we eat it with butter and sugar or sometimes with grated coconut. Lovely pairing with the dipping cream and what more with pistachios.
Btw, I think blogger is having problem because I too have the same issue, in fact some of my friends’ blog can’t be accessed.
Sarah @ Homestyle Cooking Around The World
This is a beautiful memory you shared. The bread looks so good- I never heard of this type. My family would certainly love this!
Alida
Most of us cherish our mums food. It stays in you and never goes away. How nice.
This is such a simple and lovely recipe. Delicious.
Jennifer
That is an old toaster! I remember in happier times when I used to pick flowers for my mother from the fields and brought them back to her. She would smile, thank me and give me a kiss. You do not want to know how she turned on me and my family in later life because she did not like my husband. My son is writing our story. So, if you have the blessing of a kind and loving mother who knows how to love unconditionally – give her a great big hug and never ever take her for granted.
Kit @ i-lostinausten
Mum is always the best in everything especially when it comes to homemade cuisine! I remembered my mom always made French toast with sprinkle of sugar. Simple yet so delicious! I made it so often that even my boys knew how to make them now too! LOL I love this post very much & really very nice of you to pay tribute to your dear mum! These bread looks like a perfect snack & love your vintage sandwich toaster too! Have a lovely weekend, dear Balvinder! 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas)
This post made me miss my mom even more! I’m pretty sure that just like me, you’ve got your love of cooking and food from your mom.
The bread looks good. Would love to try it.
Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet
What a beautiful post! This bread is something I would love to try. Thank you for sharing!
Parsley Sage
Lovely tribute to your mum 🙂
Ambreen
Delicious looking meethi roti! I remember my mom used to make something like this, when we were kids. Thanks for the memory you shared, that brings back so many sweet memories of my childhood. Happy Mother’s Day!
Claudia
I love all flatbreads equally. Just smearing it with butter would make me happy. I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day – you honored your mother so beautifully with this post and recipe.
mjskit
It’s wonderful that you have such fond memories of your mother and shared this one with us. Your old toaster is really cool and being that old, I’m sure it make a heck of a sandwich – one in which you can taste the memories. I’m very fortunate that my mother is still with me, but a thousand miles away. I shared some things that she taught me on my blog today. My mom is a wonderful woman as I’m sure your was as well. I hope you had a great day and here is a hug from one thankful daughter to another.(((((HUG)))))
LinsFood
This is fantastic! When I was a kid, my mum used to mash up chapatis with sugar and your recipe reminds me of that!
Tiffany
Savory fennel bread sounds AMAZING!
Eri
What an amazing recipe is this! We make flatbreads filled with a soft cheese like ricotta and we drizle them with honey but I just love the idea of using fennel seeds! Soon to make my friend, thanks for sharing!
Baker Street
Ooh! I’ve never tried fennel roti! But sounds incredibly tasty.
Lizzy
What a lovely treat by which to remember your mom…I’m sure it was a tough week for you, my friend. xo
Marina@Picnic at Marina
Balvinder, it’s a lovely post…
Asmita
Wow, this sounds and looks awesome! I have tried saunf wale mithe chawal. This is the first time I have come across it with roti. Looks so yummy!!!
Shannon | Just As Delish
it’s always the simple pleasures in life that means so much to us. this fennel bread sounds amazing. Even though it’s been 12 years, I still miss my papa. I’m so grateful my mama is still strong & healthy
Niloofa
Thank my dear friend for sharing such an awesome recipe with me; its price less … I loved intro about the Saunf Wali Meethi Roti it’s as it wrapped with your mom’s lovely memory… and respect your special way your celebrating Mothers Day..
Balvinder
And I thank you Niloofa for taking time to read the post and also commenting on it. I loved my mom very much, she was the most splendid women I knew. Everything that I have achieved has been through my mother’s encouragement. I sure respect her for who she was and deserved a small post from me.