Sel roti

Sel roti
Type	Bread
Place of origin	Nepal
Region or state	Asia
Associated national cuisine	Nepal, India
Main ingredients	Rice flour, water, sugar, butter, cardamom, cloves
	Cookbook: Sel roti; Media: Sel roti;

Sel roti (Nepali: सेल रोटी) is a traditional homemade ring-shaped sweet rice bread popular in Nepal and the Kumaon region of India. It is mostly prepared during Dashain and Tihar, widely celebrated Hindu festivals in Nepal and Sikkim and Darjeeling regions in India where ethnic Nepalese people have presence. It is known as shinghal in Kumaon.

Preparation and ingredients[]

It is made of rice flour with added flavours. A semi-liquid rice flour dough is usually prepared by adding milk, water, cooking oil, sugar, ghee, butter, cardamom, cloves, bananas and other flavours of personal choice.^[1] The ingredients are mixed well by stirring. Once the semi-liquid dough is ready, it is deep fried in boiling oil or ghee.

The dough is poured by hand in a ring shape into homemade shortening or oil and cooked on medium heat (around 348 °F to 373 °F)^[2] until it turns light brown on both sides. Two sticks called jhir in the local language, each 1 foot (30 cm) long, are used for turning the bread while cooking.^[3]

Sel roti are cooked in bulk and can be stored at room temperature for least 20 days. Sel roti are often sent as special gifts to family members living away from home or used as prasad, a religious offering, in puja, worship.

The batter
Sel roti cooking in progress

Occasions[]

Sel roti is a delicacy, made mainly for the great Nepali celebration of the Dashain and Tihar festivals. It is unique to Nepal and has become an iconic symbol of Nepali culture and festivities, and is made and served throughout the country during the festivals of Dasain, Tihar and Teej, as well as during wedding parties, bratabandha and other ceremonies. Sel roti is also a traditional food in Nepali-speaking communities in India, namely Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Kalimpong. It is an essential food at most Nepalese and Kumaoni cultural and traditional events.^[4]

Gallery[]

Sel roti, Nepalese food
Nepali Cuisine

References[]

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-11-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Foodmario | Online Food Delivery in Nepal, Kathmandu". Foodmario. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
^ Nepali Brihat Sabdhakosh 7th ed. Kamaladi Kathmandu: Praygya Pratisthan. p. 1299.
^ Sel Roti We All Nepali