Sel Roti Recipe: Learn How To Make This Delicious Sweet Snack From Nepal

Sel roti is a ring-shaped traditional rice bread from Nepal that you will find most commonly made during festivals and celebrations. This unique and flavorful sel roti holds a special place in Nepali culture and is known for its crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior. A simple batter of rice, sugar and ghee deep-fried into golden perfection makes sel roti. Whether it's during festivals or just to bring the taste of Nepal home, making sel roti at home is a wholesome experience. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of a sel roti recipe using the best rice and sel roti ingredients, to deliver the true taste and nature.

Cultural significance of sel roti

Sel roti holds a special place in Nepali culture. It is a part of major festivals like Dashain and Tihar where all the family comes together to prepare and enjoy this traditional sweet. Making sel roti is often a communal activity, symbolising unity and celebration. It is also served during weddings and other significant ceremonies, making it an integral part of Nepali life.

Best rice for sel roti

Sel roti is best made using short-grain or medium-grain rice. These types of rice have the right amount of starch content to provide the needed stickiness and texture for the batter in the recipe of sel roti. Basmati rice, although popular for its long grains, is not the best rice for sel roti due to its lower starch content. Instead, opt for rice varieties such as jeera samba or sona masuri. These are the best rice for sel roti as they help create a smooth, thick batter that can hold together well during frying, giving perfectly crispy and golden sel rotis. For the best sel rotis, soak the rice overnight to soften it, ensuring a smooth consistent batter.

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Sel roti ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need the following sel roti ingredients:

1. 5 cups of jasmine rice or any other best rice for sel roti, soaked overnight
2. 1.25 cups rice flour
3. 1/3 cup ghee
4. 1/2 cup sugar
5. Sunflower oil for deep frying
6. 1.25 cups water

Step-by-step sel roti recipe

Step 1: Prepare the rice for making sel roti

Start the recipe of sel roti by washing the rice thoroughly and soaking it overnight. This helps in softening the rice, making it easier to grind.

Step 2: Grind the rice for the sel roti recipe

The next morning, drain the soaked rice and divide it into two portions. Blend one portion until it has the texture of sand particles, and blend the other portion with water until it forms a thick milk-like consistency. Combine both blended rice mixtures in a large bowl.

Step 3: Prepare the batter of sel roti

In a small bowl, mix the ghee and sugar until you achieve a creamy texture. Add this mixture to the blended rice. Incorporate the rice flour and mix thoroughly. The batter for making sel roti should be smooth and free of lumps. Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 8 hours or overnight to allow fermentation.

Step 4: Fry the sel roti

Heat sunflower oil in a deep frying pan (kadhai) over medium-high heat. Pour the sel roti batter into a plastic bottle or use your hand to shape the roti. Carefully squeeze or pour the sel roti ingredients into the hot oil in a circular motion to form rings. Cook each side for about 1.5 minutes until golden brown. Use a stick or tongs to flip the sel roti carefully. Once cooked, drain the excess oil and place the sel roti on a paper towel.

Step 5: Serve

Sel roti is best enjoyed warm. It can be served with yoghurt, pickle, or as a standalone snack with tea or coffee.

Tips for easy sel roti recipe

• The batter for making sel roti should be thick enough to hold its shape when poured into the oil. If it’s too thin, the roti will not form properly.
• Ensure the oil for this sel roti recipe is hot enough before adding the batter. If the oil is too cold, the sel roti will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If too hot, it will cook too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside.
• Shaping sel roti can be tricky. Practise a few times to get the perfect circular shape.

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Variations of sel roti recipe

While the traditional recipe of sel roti is simple, you can add various ingredients to create unique flavours of sel roti:

• Cardamom and nuts: Adding cardamom powder and finely chopped nuts like cashews or almonds to the recipe of sel roti can enhance the flavour and add a crunch.
• Jaggery: Substitute sugar with jaggery in the sel roti recipe for a richer, caramel-like sweetness.
• Coconut: Incorporate grated coconut into the batter of sel roti recipe for a tropical twist.