Thai Sweet Roti, also known as "Roti Sai Mai," is a delightful Thai dessert made from crispy, fried flatbreads filled with colorful, sweet cotton candy-like filling called "sai mai." A step-by-step guide on how to make Thai Sweet Roti:
Ingredients:
For Roti Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup condensed milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
For Sai Mai Filling:
- Sai Mai (cotton candy) - It can be purchased ready-made from a store or market.
Instructions:
Making the Roti Dough:
1. Mixing the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, water, condensed milk, and salt. Mix until it forms a soft, smooth, and elastic dough. You can add more water or flour as needed to achieve the right consistency.
2. Kneading:
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and pliable. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes.
3. Dividing the Dough:
- After resting, divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
Preparing the Sai Mai Filling:
4. Sai Mai:
- You can purchase ready-made sai mai from a store or market. It is essentially spun sugar or cotton candy, often found in various vibrant colors and flavors.
Making Roti Sai Mai:
5. Rolling Out the Dough:
- Take one of the small dough portions and roll it out into a thin, flat disc on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a very thin sheet.
6. Frying the Roti:
- Heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place the rolled-out dough into the pan and fry until it puffs up and turns golden brown on both sides. You may need to press it down with a spatula to ensure even frying.
7. Removing and Draining:
- Remove the fried roti from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
8. Assembling the Roti Sai Mai:
- While the roti is still warm, gently crumble and spread sai mai evenly over one half of the roti.
9. Folding:
- Carefully fold the other half of the roti over the sai mai, creating a semi-circular shape.
10. Serving:
- Thai Sweet Roti, or Roti Sai Mai, is ready to be served. It's best enjoyed warm when the roti is crispy, and the sai mai is soft and fluffy.
Thai Sweet Roti is a unique and delicious dessert that combines the crunchiness of fried roti with the sweetness of spun sugar filling. It's a fun and delightful treat often found at street food stalls in Thailand.