Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AnomieBOT (talk | contribs) at 15:08, 9 April 2014 (Dating maintenance tags: {{Who?}}). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Chapati" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Chapati

Plain chapati and stuffed rolled chapatis
Alternative names	Roti/Puri
Type	Flatbread
Region or state	South Asia, Central Asia, Horn of Africa, East Africa
Main ingredients	Flour
Cookbook: Chapati   Media: Chapati

Chapati, Chapatti, Chappati or Chapathi is an unleavened flatbread (also known as roti) from Nepal, India and Pakistan. It is a common staple in South Asia as well as amongst South Asian expatriates throughout the world. Versions of the dish are also found in Central Asia and the Horn of Africa in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the laobing flatbread serving as a local variation in China. Chapati is known as sapati or doday in the Pashto language.

History

The word 'Chapati' means "flattened round" in Indian languages . Chapati is noted in Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document, by Mughal Emperor, Akbar’s vizier, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak.

Chapatis are one of the most common forms in which wheat, the staple of northern South Asia, is consumed. Chapati is a form of roti or rotta (bread). The words are often used interchangeably. While roti or rotta refers to any flat unleavened bread, chapati is a roti made of whole wheat flour and cooked on a tava (flat skillet).

Cooking

Chapatis are made from a firm dough made from flour (whole grain common wheat), 'Atta' in Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi/Nepali/Bengali, and water. Atta flour is more finely ground than most western style whole wheat flours. Some people also add salt and/or oil to the dough. Small portions of the dough are rolled out into discs much like a tortilla, using a rolling pin. The rolled-out dough is thrown on the preheated dry tava (griddle or skillet) and cooked on both sides. In some regions of Nepal and western India they are only partly cooked on the skillet, and then put directly on a high flame, which makes them blow up like a balloon. The hot air cooks the chapati rapidly from the inside. In some parts of northern India (e.g. Punjab) and Pakistan, this is called a phulka (that which has been inflated).

In Maharashtra chapatti is also called 'Poli'. Poli is slightly thicker than phulka and contains four layers and oil or pure ghee is applied after cooking. The Poli will remain soft throughout the day.

During festivals stuffed sweet poli is prepared called 'PuranPoli'. During Sankranti a stuffed thin sweet poli called 'GulPoli' is prepared.

Often, the top of a chapati is slathered with butter or ghee (clarified butter). A piece of chapati is torn off and used to pick up the meat or vegetable dish(es) that make the meal. It is folded into a sort of loose cone and used as a scoop to eat the more liquid dishes such as paneer, or sena-galu at a meal.

Chapati sizes (diameter and thickness) vary from region to region and kitchen to kitchen. In Gujarat, for example, the chapati is called a 'rotli' and can be as thin as tissue paper. Chapatis made in domestic kitchens are usually not larger than 6-7 inches in diameter since the 'tava' on which they are made comes in sizes that fit comfortably on a domestic stove top. Tavas were traditionally made of unglazed earthenware, but are now typically made from metal. There are also electric tavas manufactured in Nepal and India. The shape of the rolling pin also varies from region to region. Some households simply use a kitchen work top as a sort of pastry board, but homes have round flat-topped 'boards' that may be made of wood or stone, specifically for rolling out chapatis.

Flat unleavened breads in South Asia come in many forms; the chapati is only one of them. A rotta, made of a dough similar to that used to make chapatis and cooked in an oven, is a 'tandoori roti'. The combination of wheat flour with one or more flours (e.g. chickpea, maize, or millet) will produce a "missi roti". Rottas made with pearl millet (bajra) or maize (makka) or jowar flour usually carry the name of the flour, as in "bajra roti" or "makke ki roti" (or "bhakri" in marathi). Flat breads such as chapati and roti are traditionally a food of northern South Asia. The peninsular south, the east and northeast and Kashmir are primarily rice-eating cultures.

In southern India, there is a distinction made between a 'chapati' and its layered fried version the 'paratha'. 'Parathas' are either made layered by spreading with ghee or oil folding and rolling out again into a disc, or else have a filling, such as spinach, dal (lentils) cooked radish, or potato. Also, now the 'tandoori roti' is to be found in the smallest towns. Many people confuse roti and chapati, but chapatis are made of whole wheat flour, whereas rotis are made of all-purpose flour.

In the Maldives chapati are traditionally eaten for breakfast along with a dish known as mas huni.

See also

• Indian bread
• Chakla
• Roti
• Paratha
• Poori
• Tortilla
• Khubz
• Blintz
• Crêpe
• Matzo
• Pancake
• Pita
• Pizza
• Yufka
• Chimta
• Naan
• Lavash

References

1. ^ Of Bread Ain-i-Akbari , by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak. English tr. by Heinrich Blochmann and Colonel Henry Sullivan Jarrett, 1873–1907. The Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, Volume I, Chap. 26, page 61.
2. Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom, Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84-7254-801-5

v t e Malaysian cuisine by ethnicity
Common dishes	Malay Asam pedas Ayam bakar Ayam goreng Ayam masak kicap Ayam masak merah Ayam penyet Bubur Bubur asyura Bubur ayam Bubur kacang hijau Bubur lambuk Bubur pedas Bubur pulut hitam Dendeng Gulai Ikan bakar Ikan goreng Kangkung belacan Ketupat Kway teow goreng Laksa Lemang Lontong Masak lemak lada api Mee bakso Mee bandung Muar Mee goreng Mee jawa Mee kari Mee rebus Mee siam Nasi ambeng Nasi campur Nasi dagang Nasi goreng American fried rice Nasi goreng pattaya Nasi kerabu Nasi kuning Nasi lemak Nasi minyak Nasi paprik Nasi tumpang Nasi ulam Otak-otak Pais Pecal Pekasam Pindang Pulot tartal Ramly burger Roti canai Roti Jala Rendang Rojak Rojak bandung Sayur lodeh Sata Satay Satay celup Serundeng Soto Soto ayam Mee soto Sup Soup kambing Sup tulang Tauhu goreng Telur pindang Tongmo Ulam Chinese Bakkwa Bak kut teh Banmian Bean sprouts chicken Beef kway teow Chai tow kway Char kway teow Char siu Chee cheong fun Chwee kueh Claypot chicken rice Curry Mee Duck rice Duck soup noodles Economy rice/Mixed rice Fish ball Fish head bee hoon Hae mee Heong Peng Hokkien mee Kolo mee Kway chap Kway Teow Th'ng Loh bak Lor mee Mee pok Oyster omelette Pan mee Pao Popiah Sar Hor Fun Lou Shee Fun Teochew Porridge Tong sui Wonton mee Tambun biscuit Yee Foo Mee Yong tau foo You char kway Yusheng Zongzi Indian Banana leaf rice Butter chicken Dalcha Puliyodarai Curd rice Chapati Fish molee Dosai Idli Laddu Mee goreng Maggi goreng Mee goreng mamak Mee rebus Mamak Rojak (Rojak Klang) Modak Murtabak Mutton curry Nasi biryani Nasi kandar Korma Pasembur Puri Putu mayam Roti canai Roti tissue Naan Sup kambing Satti Sorru Appam Payasam Upma Paniyaram Pongal Vadai Adhirasam Murukku Bajji Rasam Sambar Papadum Tandoori chicken East Malaysian (Sabah and Sarawak) Ambuyat Bosou Hinava Linatan Linongot Manok pansoh Mee tauhu Midin Nasi kombos Nasi laru Nasik aruk Sinalau bakas Tonokon Tuhau Umai Peranakan Acar Asam laksa/Laksa lemak Buah keluak Bubur cha cha Cap cai Kerabu Bihun Perut Ikan Pie tee Pongteh Nyonya Bak Chang Eurasian Shepherd's pie Oxtail stew Chicken chop Devil's curry Semur
Snacks	Cake and pastries Bahulu Batik cake Heong peng Roti bakar (Kaya toast) Sarawak layer cake Keropok, crackers Amplang Lekor Rempeyek Mee Siput Muar Kuih Apam balik Akok Bingka Borasa Cakoi Cincin Cucur Jemput-jemput Penyaram Pisang goreng Dodol Jala Jelurut Karipap Kelupis Kochi Gelang Kue kembang goyang Gulung Laddu Lapis Lidah Makmur Modak Mooncake Ondeh-ondeh Otokon Pais Red peach cake Red tortoise cake Pie tee Pulut inti Pulut panggang Puto Putu bambu/Putu bumbong Putu mangkuk/piring Qasidah Sapit/Gulong/Kapit Seri Muka Soon kueh Tat/Tae
Desserts	Lamban Punjung Roti tisu Sagu Gula Melaka Tapai Wajid
Drinks	Non-alcoholic ABC Bandung Cendol Cheng tng Cincau Chrysanthemum tea Ginger tea Ipoh white coffee Kopi Janda pulang Milo Sarsi Soy milk Teh tarik Alcoholic Jaz Lihing Montoku Sikat Tapai Tuak
Condiments	Acar Kaya Sambal Belacan Budu Cincalok Tempoyak Taucu Tuhau
Category: Malaysian cuisine List of Malaysian dishes

v t e Flatbreads
Asia	Aparon Balep korkun Barbari bread Bhakri Bhatoora Bindae-tteok Bing Bolani Chapati Danbing Kaak Kabkab Kattama Khubz Kiping Kulcha Gözleme Jolada rotti Lahoh Laobing Lavash Luchi Malooga Markook Matzo Mulawah Malawach Malawah Naan Nan/non Papadam Paratha Aloo paratha Parotta Pathiri Phitti Piaya Pihta Pita Pletzel Puran poli Puri Qistibi Qutab Ramazan pidesi Roti Makki di roti Roti canai Roti prata Rumali roti Sa Sanchuisanda Sangak Scallion pancake Cōng yóu bǐng Pajeon Saj bread Shaobing Sheermal Shelpek Taboon bread Taftan Tandoor bread Thalipeeth Zhingyalov hats
Europe	Bannock Bazlama Crescia Crispbread Farl Flammkuchen Flatbrød Flatkaka Focaccia Hoggan Khachapuri Lángos Lefse Mekitsa Opłatek Pancake Pane carasau Piadina Pita Pizza Podpłomyk Rieska Sacramental bread Scaccia Shotis puri Somun Talo Torta de gazpacho Tunnbröd
Africa	Bataw Eish merahrah Injera Khubz Lahoh Ngome Msemen Sabaayad
America	Arepa Bammy Bannock Casabe Frybread Corn tortilla List of tortilla-based dishes Flour tortilla Tortilla de rescoldo
Recipes on WikiBooks Category:Flatbreads Food portal

v t e Bread
Types	Brown bread Bun Flatbread Multigrain Quick Rye bread Salt-rising Sandwich bread Soda bread Sourdough Sprouted Unleavened White bread Whole wheat
Ingredients	Baker's yeast Barm Calcium propanoate Dough conditioner Eggs Fat Flour Leavening agent Milk Salt Sugar Water
Equipment	Oven Bread machine Bread pan Dough scraper Farinograph Lame Peel Stand mixer Warmer Toaster Weighing scales
Processes and techniques	Autolysis Baking Biga Chorleywood bread process Kneading Leavening Maillard reaction No-knead bread Proofing Pre-ferment Pre-slicing Sponge and dough Steaming Straight dough Vienna process
Uses	Breadcrumbs Bread bowl Bread pakora Bread pudding Croutons French toast Rusks Stuffing Sandwiches Toast
Other	Bakery Breadmaking Baker percentage Bread and salt Bread in Europe Bread clip History of bread
List articles	American breads Brand name breads Bread dishes Bread rolls British breads Buns French breads Indian breads Pakistani breads Quick breads Sourdough breads Sweet breads Swiss breads Toast dishes
Category

• Flatbreads
• Andhra cuisine
• Bengali cuisine
• Bihari cuisine
• Burmese cuisine
• Nepalese cuisine
• Indian breads
• Karnataka cuisine
• Malaysian cuisine
• Pakistani breads
• Pakistani cuisine
• Punjabi cuisine
• Muhajir cuisine
• Singaporean cuisine
• Tamil cuisine
• Uttar Pradeshi cuisine
• Roti