Tikkad Roti – From The Kitchens of India.

Here’s one dish that you’ll cherish and appreciate. And one with unique tribal flavours from Madhya Pradesh.

Tikkad Roti is a traditional bread made in tribal homes throughout Kanha National Park and much of Central India. Tikkad roti tickles the taste buds with a spurt of comforting tastes, particularly on cold winter evening hours when the aroma of firewood complements the homely warmth of freshly made rotis. The leaves of the camel foot/kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are used to make the rotis. This tree exemplifies the inter-dependence of mankind and nature, as the tribal people make use of everything that the jungle has to offer.

Kachnar/Camel Foot trees are easily available in most of the areas. They are easily identified by their orchid-like, coloured flowers streaked with beautiful, variegated lines.

Ingredients

• 1 pound whole wheat flour
• 4 tbsp clarified butter (ghee)
• 1/3 cup water, or as needed
• 6–8 leaves of camel foot/kachnar
• Salt as per taste
• jaggery, grated

Method

1. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
2. Crumble the ghee into the flour. Mix in the water gradually until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes before covering it with a damp kitchen towel and setting it aside to rest. Allow the dough to rest for 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Divide the dough into large lemon-sized balls to form the tikkad rotis.
5. Press one ball into one half of a camel foot leaf to spread. Spread an even layer of dough over the leaf. Fold the leaf in half again.
6. Heat the coal and roast tikkad rotis over them (this can also be done in your own kitchen on a griddle pan or frying pan). Just keep in mind to use a medium low flame).
7. Roast the rotis until the leaf dries out and falls off.
8. To serve, remove and discard the burnt leaf and place it on a plate.
9. Prick all over with a fork and drizzle with ghee dollops.
10. Serve immediately with grated jaggery and vegetarian or non-vegetarian curries.
11. Dig into the delicious, smoky flavours and enjoy a memorable meal.