Tuesday 24 April 2007

Sekeli Rotli

“All you need to do is to roast one side using low heat, then turn for the other, not as long as the first side, if it is crispy then it is more fun to eat as you can make more noise” it is hot sunny day sometime in the spring of 1997, I just got back from school and my grandmother was showing me the beauty of the roasted roti (rotli). “when your bapu-ji makes it, he undercooks it, you need to take your time”.

“I think that anyone else that makes it would never make it like you ba”, it’s true, I wish I told her at the time. Years have gone by and many have tried to recreate this very simple snack including me, but none have tasted quite like yours ba.

The passing of my grandmother caused the biggest change in my life, and for such a remarkable women, for all the things she done, people she helped, evils she fought, it is this memory that I find the most comforting. A simple snack using left over rotlis, easy to make, impossible to master.

I pray you have found peace ba.

Chetu.