What is the best way to store homemade rotis to keep them soft for several hours?

Question

What is the best way to store homemade rotis? Learn the tricks to keep them soft and fresh for several hours after cooking.

Answer 1

The best way to store homemade rotis to keep them soft is to stack them while still warm, wrap them in a clean, breathable cotton cloth, and then store them in an airtight container or a covered casserole dish.

Detailed Explanation:

Keeping rotis soft involves trapping the steam they release after cooking, which helps maintain their moisture. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Cook the Rotis: Cook your rotis as usual on a hot tawa (griddle) and then puff them up over an open flame or on the tawa itself. Make sure they are fully cooked but still soft.

2. Stack While Warm: As you cook each roti, stack them on top of each other. The residual heat will create steam, which is essential for keeping them soft.

3. Wrap in a Cloth: Take a clean, dry, and breathable cotton cloth (like a muslin cloth or a thin kitchen towel). Wrap the stack of rotis completely in the cloth. The cloth absorbs excess moisture without making the rotis soggy.

4. Store in an Airtight Container: Place the cloth-wrapped rotis in an airtight container or a covered casserole dish. This prevents them from drying out by minimizing air exposure. A roti basket with a lid also works well.

5. Avoid Refrigeration (if possible): Refrigeration can dry out rotis. If you need to store them for longer than a few hours, refrigerate them, but reheat them with a sprinkle of water to restore moisture.

Pro Tip:

Avoid using paper towels to wrap the rotis, as they can sometimes make the rotis sticky and soggy due to trapped moisture. A breathable cotton cloth is always the best option.