Buss up shut paratha roti- A Trinidad version – Super Soft, Messy and Tasty . Pair it with Channa Curry and Aloo or Trinidad chicken roti.
First, a little linguistics lesson, Buss up shut refers to tattered and torn up shirt. Now that is out of the way let’s talk about this amazing tender flat bread.
So after making chicken roti, I knew I just had to give Buss up shut paratha roti a go (taste similar to this East African Chapati here) but is quite tender and somewhat buttery. I also knew that I wanted it to be practical and should be easy to make.
So I goggled any and everything on Buss up shut paratha roti and even watched you tube videos to make it come out just right, this is it guys! Quite easy and not scary at all.
Paratha is synonymous with Buss up Shut a layered, tender and buttery flatbread which is shattered or beaten to pieces, while still on the griddle or immediately after it is cooked to resemble a torn shirt. This can be achieved in various ways. The Guyanese use their hands (clap roti), or an enclosed container to beat the heck out of it. While in Trinidad it is done using two spatulas while it is still hot and just about to be taken off the tawa (a round flat griddle used in Indian cooking). Though an import of the Indians it is quite different with the Indian roti and has now become part of the Trinidad Culinary heritage.
The goal while making this is achieve a slightly crisp exterior, with small patches of light browning
There are two vital parts in making paratha, folding the dough with shortening/butter and letting it rest for not less than 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
These vital processes do not only render the dough tender but to give it layers. So don’t skip out on this step- speaking from experience.
Paratha is often enjoyed with almost any meal. However, it is mostly eaten with curries and stews. For an ultimate meal serve with this Curry Channa and Aloo
Enjoy!
Buss Up Shut Paratha Roti - a Trinidad version that is Super Soft, Messy and Tasty. Pair it with Channa Curry and Aloo or Trinidad Chicken Roti.
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ghee butter or oil
- 1 1/4 cup warm water or slightly more
- 1/3 cup shortening /butter
- ¼ cup oil/ghee / melted butter for basting /oiling paratha
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In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, salt and salt.
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Then make a well then add oil, followed by warm water, knead dough for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to form soft and sticky dough.
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Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Set aside and let it rest for 15- 30 minutes
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The resting of the dough helps to relax the gluten and make it not only easier to work with but also produces tender paratha.
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Place each one piece on a heavily floured board and roll out dough into a circle. They do not have to be perfect circles.
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Using your fingers or knife rub shortening/ butter (about a tablespoon) on the surface of the dough, lightly sprinkle with flour.
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Using a knife make an opening from the center of the dough roll dough clockwise to form a cone.
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Pleat the ends into bottom of cone and push cone tip inwards. Place in an oil pan and cover with damp clothe.
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Repeat this process for other 5 pieces of dough. Oil each piece to prevent dough from drying out.
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Let it rest for about 2 hours or more covered.
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When ready to cook, heat up griddle, crepe pan or tawah to medium heat.
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Gently flatten out each cone and roll out. Begin rolling out the dough from the center working outwards.
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Rotate the dough out each time you roll it. This helps to make a perfect circle, about 10 inch circles, make sure they are thin at the edges.
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Gently place dough on the griddle (I used crepe pan to make paratha- a skillet will work as well).
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Heavily oil the other side of the dough making sure you oil the edges too.
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Cook until tiny bubbles / air pockets appear on the top of the roti, then flip dough.
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Making the torn up shirts can be achieved in several ways
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Crush paratha with two spatulas while still on the griddle
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Place paratha in a large bowl with a lid and shake the heck out of it
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Place in a clean cloth cover and shake it up.
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Serve warm.
Look how beautifully flaky that is! We must be in sync, I just made flat bread the other day for my butter chicken! Yours looks better though, love the flakiness. 🙂
Nagi, yours look absolutely Delicious and the butter chicken-YUM!
wow again something so delicious ! many greetings from Poland
Thanks Kami! Good to hear from you again!
As someone from the Caribbean who is fussy (LOL) about the roti(s) of the region, you have outdone yourself here!
Aww thank you so much Cynthia! Glad you approve.
I’ve always wanted to make Roti but I’ve never been game. I think you’ve convinced me to give it a try. It looks amazing.
Thanks Cristie! Roti is not that daunting.
Well done Imma! Paratha is no easy feat but you’ve done a spectacular job! You’re welcome at this Trinidadian’s home anytime. You bring the buss up shut and I’ll cook the curry 🙂
Thank you so much Krystal. Just let me know when ad I’ll be right over. We are going to have a BLAST!!!
I’m from Trinidad, it’s always nice to see our food being made elsewhere. That is one good-looking buss up shut and your technique looks just the same too! Now for me to actually make it myself!
Aww Thanks Ariel! You know it’s not as hectic as it seems. And it’s quite tasty.
My gosh this flatbread looks incredible. What I love about it especially is how soft and buttery it looks!
Thanks Thalia.
Came out great, my Trini husband was quite impressed, especially after he told me while making it that people have to practice for years to get it right….. HA!! Next time I will use butter instead of ghee in between the layers, the ghee flavour was a little pungent for me. Also, a small suggestion to add the waiting time of hours to the recipe prep timeline. It was ok for us to eat at 10pm but might not be ideal for others 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing.
Dear Imma,
I think your site is amazing and well written. Keep up the good work. I am learning, not only about Caribbean recipes (I am from Trinidad) but from other countries as well..thank you for the pics as well….great job!
Hi Stella! You are too kind. Thank you so much for taking the the time to let me know.
Please ma’am. Trying to get my diabetics some low carb options! If you have any ideas of getting the Roti just as flaky, I would appreciate it!
Hi Stacey! Do you mean you need another butter option for the paratha ?
You didn’t add baking powder? Did you forget to add that ingredient ?
I just did ! But it looks like it’s no updating – it’s 2 teaspoons baking powder. Will work on updating it Thanks for letting me know Miranda.
Excellent recipe and easy-to-follow directions. My husband asks for this allllll of the time. Thanks
Thanks C.P! So glad to hear this.