I am going to show 3 methods of making this Malaysian delicacy. The first method is what is usually followed by the professional vendors there. Complicated to the less acrobatic inclined. The second method is my way of making it easier for the home cooks - who either don't want to the twists and turns in the air ( who wants a dirty ceiling or floor?) or don't have the patience/time for the same. May seem more laborious than the air twists, but believe me, it saves really lot of time if you are starting out. The third method is very similar to making parottas. I think the traditional Malaysian flat bread are mostly square/rectangle shaped, but I also found versions which are round. Hence my third method is for making nice round/oval shapes.
All of them make amazingly flaky flatbread and is delicious. But this is RICH and HEAVY dish thanks to the use of all that Ghee ( clarified butter). Butter may be used, but I would advise getting some traditional ghee for this dish. Its worth it and the taste is out of this world. Make any spicy side dish to go with canai. Many recipes use eggs in the dough, but I have made an eggless version. If you want, you can add an egg to this recipe and reduce the amount of water/ghee while making the dough.
Method - for making the dough
Sift the flour and salt into a medium bowl.
Method 1 - The Professional ( and traditional ) Method - Takes skill
Take a small ball of the dough.
Now start doing as depicted in the video.Looks easy doesn't it? Oh well, looks can be deceiving sometimes. If you tried it and you found yourself cursing that man in there for misleading you, then Go to Method 2
Method 2 - Mostly Traditional Method - No skill set required
Take a small ball from the dough.
Method 3 - for making spirals/ round shapes.
The first 2-3 steps are the same. Take a small ball of dough and using a rolling pin roll it as much as you can until they are see through ( same as method 2)
They go very well with any spicy gravy based dish.
They are very flaky and soft.
The Best recipe ever. Thank you very much. i cannot get the Roti Canai in Riyadh, so i have to make my self with my own curry. My husband LOVE IT!!! thank you 3x..
Thanks for the recipe. i will try soon but i also heard that yeast must be added too and then for the dough to sit for a few hours. Please advise.
jackie chan
If you noticed, I have added only 1/4 cup ghee to the dough. The rest of for frying it. Will be more specific in the instructions. --DK
Unfortunately, I am hunting for a killer recipe myself. Will def. post it when I do find it :) --DK
I never use bleached flour in my cooking. You can use unbleached white flour or any all purpose flour that you might find. Using bread flour also gives amazing results
you will need the remaining ghee to grease your hands/counter top and for cooking the pratas in the skillet. I should have mentioned that - will update the post :)
In India, paratha is usually referred to a thick roti (stuffed or otherwise) excluding this one variety called Lachcha paratha which is similar to Parotta. Parotta is what this post is all about - it involves layers, spirals and flakiness due to richness. While this is made with all purpose flour(maida), the north indian version is made of wheat. But in general Paratha in India does not mean Parotta :)
Pls refer to the explanation I provided for the previous comment. May be its applicable to yours too..
The only reason I can think is the "sitting" time for the dough. A good kneading of the dough is essential for the gluten to start working and letting it sit helps the all purpose flour to develop that beautiful elasticity needed for the dough. Do try kneading it well until the dough is soft and feels elastic. Then let it sit for few hours. Sometimes, letting it sit overnight also helps to develop that texture (I think overnight sitting is dependent on the kind of climate u enjoy - do it only if the above tip doesnt seem to work) Hope this helps :)
Thank you so much Dom. Glad to be of help always :) --DK
Yes, I have already mentioned it in the post, it helps if you grease the counter top to prevent it from getting too sticky. Ghee is the best! :) --DK
Hi Deepti, thanks for such wonderful words :). From what a my FB page reader from Malaysia informed me, its more Indian influence than Vice versa...so I am guessing it went from India to Malaysia... You can refer to that thread under "Malaysian Canai" here in this link for more info http://www.facebook.com/ChefInYou --DK
Hi Palatable, yes I saw those versions too. But then I saw this also :) Dint know which was THE authentic one,so chose the one which sounded 'palatable' enough for us ;)
Hi Adelina, thank you so much for your comment :) Making roti's at home are extremely satisfying, do try when you get time :) -- DK
These are more flaky and richer than Naan. Naan are mostly soft and bready in texture :) -- DK
By Divya on Jan 13, 2021