Sel Roti

✓ Sel Roti is a traditional Nepalese sweet. It is a ring-shaped roti mainly prepared during the Dashain and Tihar festivals, and also in ceremonies like marriage, Bratabanda, etc. 

✓ It consists of rice soaked overnight and ground into an excellent paste. The paste is then mixed with Ghee, water, sugar, baking soda, and cardamom. It is deep-fried in the karahi.

✓ Sel Roti is delicious due to its sweet texture and unique taste, but it is even more delicious when eaten warm. It is one of the most popular foods in Nepal and among the Indian Gorkha community. It is also the symbol of Nepali culture and tradition. These days, this food is available in local restaurants in Nepal. 

✓ During pujas, ceremonies, and festivals, people often send prasad as a gift to their family, friends, and relatives living far away. Usually, it is served with tea or other hot drinks.

  Etymology  

✓ Dinesh Raj Panta, a professor at Nepal Sanskrit University, estimated this dish to be over 800 years old.

✓ The primary history of the name “Sel Roti” is not clearly defined. Many people believe that it is created from the word “sel,” which is a type of rice, but some people believe that it is made from the word “saal,” which means “year” in Nepali.

✓ The absolute truth of Sel Roti’s exact origin is unknown. Many people believed that it originated in the Kathmandu Valley, while some thought it originated in the western hills of Nepal. In the 10th century,  Sel roti was first mentioned in a Nepali text called the “Kaviraj Vamshavali.” 

✓ In the 15th century, Sel roti became one of the most popular dishes in Nepal. It is often served during festivals and special occasions. In the 20th century, Sel Roti was available in other parts of the world and enjoyed by people of different cultures.

✓ To enhance the flavor of sel roti, innovative ingredients like organic flour and locally-sourced spices are incorporated, resulting in a more refined and delicious end product.

  Ingredients  

  How to make the best Sel Roti?  

✓ First, you should wash the rice and soak it overnight.

✓ The next day, you should drain the excess water from the rice soaked overnight at the beginning.

✓ After draining the excess water from the rice, blend to a fine paste using an electronic mixer or traditional sil auto.

✓ Then, take that paste of rice in a large bowl and combine wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, and rice flour.

✓ Gradually add the water and mix until a soft dough forms and the sugar dissolves completely.

✓ Blend the dough for about 7 minutes or until it becomes perfectly smooth and elastic.

✓ Let it rest for 30 minutes by covering the dough with damp clothes.

✓ In a wide pan or deep frying pan, heat the oil and Ghee.

✓ You should roll the dough into a thin circle about 6 inches in diameter.

✓ Fry for 1-2 minutes per side or until they become golden brown.

✓ You can remove the Sel Roti from the hot oil.

✓ You can spray ground cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves while they are still warm.

✓ Now, you can efficiently serve this hot or warm food with friends and family as a snack or breakfast! Also, you can store it for up to about 15-20 days.

✓ To complete this recipe, it will take about 4 hours. You will finish by serving within 5 hours.

  How to make Sel Roti soft and healthy?  

To make Sel Roti soft, you can follow these tips:

✓ You must use rice flour, which has good quality, and also use whole wheat flour instead of white flour.

✓ You should soak the rice for a whole night, which helps to make the rice softer and reduce the sugar in the batter. 

✓ You can use a little baking powder in the batter, which makes it texture and airy.

✓ You shouldn’t overwork the dough of Sel Roti because it will be challenging if you do.

✓ You must use the best-preferred oil, like vegetable, peanut, and Ghee. Also, heat the oil at a medium temperature. If the oil is too hot, the roti will burn quickly.

✓ At once, you should pour one piece of roti.

  Benefits of Sel Roti  

• High in fiber: Selroti is high in fiber. Fiber is an essential nutrient that helps us promote heart health and proper digestion and keeps us feeling full.
• Good source of carbohydrates: Sel Roti is a good source of carbohydrates because it is made with flour, the primary carbohydrate source.
• Selenium: Sel roti contains selenium, an antioxidant that can help protect the body against damage from free radicals.

  Risks of Sel Roti  

• High in Calories: If we consume it excessively, our weight will increase because Sel Roti is high in calories.
• Contains sugar: Sel Roti is sweet because it contains sugar that contributes to weight gain and increases the sugar level in the blood.
• Deep-fried: Normally, Sel Roti is deep-fried, which contains a highly unhealthy quantity of fats.