Figuring out what to cook for your break-fasting meal can be quite a challenge, especially during Ramadan where you need to come up with a set menu for 30 days straight. In this article, we are going to share the background and the recipe of one of Bintan Island's iconic cuisines which is Roti Jala.
What Is Roti Jala?
( Source of photo by www.Rajahajifisabilillah-airport.co.id )
Roti Jala is one of many Malay traditional cuisines that you can find in the Riau Islands, including in the city of Tanjungpinang, Bintan Island. Roti Jala means webbing bread in English and it is a type of flatbread that originated from India.
It has the same texture and ingredients as Indian Roti canai but is made in the form of some kind of webbing, hence the name.
There are many versions of Roti Jala that you can find in other areas. In Singapore, you can find another variant of this dish called Roti prata. In Bintan Island, typically you eat Roti Jala along with a serving of lamb or beef curry. Although, some people also choose to make Roti Jala into a dessert, which is a perfect snack to start your break-fasting.
What You Need to Make Roti Jala
The main ingredients needed to make Roti Jala are mainly the same as what you need to make Roti canai:
- 300 gr. of low-protein flour
- 500 ml. of coconut milk
- 4 eggs
- 4 tbsp. of vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. of salt
- 3 tbsp. of butter (melted)
You also have to prepare other utensils including:
- A flat-pan,
- a spatula,
- a piping bag,
- a mixing bowl, and
- a whisker or mixer
- a brush
How to Make Roti Jala
The process to make Roti Jala is relatively easy and does not take a long time. All you have to do is mix the ingredients and cook it on a flat pan with low heat. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to make Roti Jala from scratch:
- Mix the low-protein flour with salt in a bowl
- Add the melted butter and eggs to the mixture
- As you stir the mixture add the coconut oil and vegetable oil gradually
- Make sure everything is stirred thoroughly
- Heat the flat pan on a stove; while waiting, put the mixture into the piping bag
- Once the pan is hot enough, coat it using the remaining butter or vegetable oil
- Squeeze and pour the mixture on the pan using the piping bag and shape it to resemble webbing. Use low heat.
- Lift the Roti and transfer it to a plate. You can repeat these processes until you finish the whole batter.
- Serve the Rotis with a portion of beef or lamb curry.
- You can also serve the Rotis with sweet toppings like jam, chocolate spread, or condensed milk.
One pro-tip; to achieve the best texture for your Roti Jala, make sure to keep each Roti thin.
Where to Find Roti Jala on Bintan Island
If you decide to visit Bintan Island during Ramadan, you can find hawkers that sell Roti Jala around Tanjungpinang. Try to do your city exploration closer to the evening since a lot of restaurants and hawkers start their activity around that time during Ramadan.
Besides its picturesque white-sand beach and warm tropical climate, Bintan Island is also rich with unique and interesting cultures. Discover the beauty of Bintan Island which is only a short trip from Singapore! Read more of our articles to learn more about Bintan Island and other traveling tips by clicking here.
