Cape Malay food is beloved in South Africa. The Cape Malay people are a Muslim community in the heart of Cape Town. This community has a long history in South Africa. Many of their ancestors came to Cape Town during the 17th century from places like Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and other Asian countries. Some of these people traveled freely, while many others were enslaved. Far from home, the Cape Malay people kept their traditions alive with their food. Today, Cape Malay cuisine is a blend of many delicious ingredients. These flavors tell the story of this unique culture and community.

Ingredients

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup self-raising flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup oil
* 1 and 2/3 cups cold water
* 1/4 cup butter or ghee

Directions

STEP ONE: Combine flour and salt into a bowl. Add the oil to form a crumbly mixture.

STEP TWO: Add half of the water and mix into a dough. Add the rest of the water slowly and mix. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for 30 minutes.

STEP THREE: Take the dough and roll it into an oblong shape. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle. Dot each piece with butter and sprinkle with flour.

STEP FOUR: Roll the circular pieces into ropes, and then form each rope into an S-shape. Once it’s in the S-shape, fold one-half of the “S” on top of the other.

STEP FIVE: Cover the 8 roti balls with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge for an hour.