Breads and Bakes
Dhalpurie Roti

Dhalpurie Roti is one of the popular Indian cuisine dishes in Trinidad. It can be made with or without a split pea filling.  In many roti shops on the island, the roti is wrapped with curry chicken or another type of meat (beef or goat) or seafood (shrimp, conch), and sometimes a cooked vegetable or just vegetables.  

The way the Dhalpurie Roti is wrapped, is by placing one Dhalpurie Roti on a plate or a clear area on a kitchen counter and put a large spoon of curry chicken (or another type of meat/seafood) in the center of the Dhalpurie Roti.  If a vegetarian roti is ordered, the cooked vegetables may it be pumpkin, channa aka chick peas, and/or bodie, is placed in the center of the Dhalpurie.  The Dhalpurie Roti is then folded.

In the restaurant that serve Dhalpurie Roti, the fillings are served separate to the Dhalpurie Roti.  Now your wrapped Dhalpurie Roti must be eaten with a Solo red or orange beverage (soda).

Method for Dhal Preparation
Boil split peas with saffron, salt and garlic until firm (it must be cooked). Drain dhal and grind.

Place 1 tbsp oil in pot and fry for about 2 minutes (turn constantly to avoid it from burning. Add ground geera and taste for salt, add additional salt if needed. Allow this mixture to cool.

Method for Flour Preparation
Mix together flour, baking powder and water to make a soft dough Knead dough until smooth. Cut into 8 pieces and shape into balls. Open each ball in the centre and fill with some prepared dhal.

Pull the sides over and close up to form back the ball. Dredge lightly each dough with some flour to avoid sticking and bursting. Roll out filled dough very thinly, using enough flour on the surface to prevent sticking.

Heat and grease tawa and place roti on it. Allow one side to cook until light brown in colour, turn over and brush with oil and melted butter. Cook for about 1/2 minute, then turn over and brush with oil. Continue to cook the remaining 7 pieces.

On a personal note, if I purchase a folded Dhalpurie Roti, I enjoy unfolding the Roti, tearing off a small piece of it and picking up a small bit of the filling and eating that!  Oh I forgot the most important, Dhalpurie Roti MUST be eaten with your hands, NO knife and fork people!!!!