Sel roti

Sel roti

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Origin
Place of origin	Nepal
Creator(s)	Nepalese
Details
Type	Bread
Main ingredient(s)	Rice flour, milk, water, sugar, butter, cardamom, cloves

File:Sel roti, Nepalese food.jpg

Sel roti, Nepalese food

File:Sel Roti cooking in progress, Lohorung food.jpg

Sel Roti cooking in progress by Lohorung woman

Sel roti (Nepali: सेल रोटी) is a Nepali traditional home-made, sweet, ring-shaped rice bread/doughnut. It is mostly prepared during Tihar, a widely celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal. It is made of rice flour with adding customized flavours. A semi liquid rice flour dough is usually prepared by adding milk, water, cooking oil, sugar, butter, cardamom, cloves, bananas and other flavours of personal choice. 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 on home-made shortening or oil in ring shape and cooked on high heat 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.

Sel roti are cooked in bulk and can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days. Sel roti are often sent as special gifts to family members living away from home.

Occasions

Sel roti is a delicacy - made mainly for the great Nepali celebration of the Tihar festival. 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; and 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 in most Nepalese cultural and traditional events.