Lamb murtabak

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These lamb murtabak from Sugen Gopal are a variation of roti canai that are stuffed with spiced lamb. Here Sugen serves them with a light, thin dal for dipping. This recipe makes 8–10 roti, so there should be plenty to go around. Otherwise, freeze the raw balls of dough before rolling them out, to save some for later.

First published in 2024

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Roti canai

  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 15g of cane sugar
  • 75g of condensed milk
  • 175g of warm water, at 32°C
  • 500g of plain flour, half plain flour and half Green Dragon flour
  • 25g of butter, softened, plus plenty more for greasing

Lamb murtabak filling

Dhal

Tempering

Method

1

For the roti, first add the salt, sugar, condensed milk and warm water to a stand mixer and mix for 1 minute, or everything is mixed together smoothly

  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 15g of cane sugar
  • 75g of condensed milk
  • 175g of warm water, at 32°C
2

Add half the plain white flour and mix with the dough hook attachment for 1 minute

  • 250g of plain flour
3

Add the remaining flour or Green Dragon flour and mix for 7 minutes

  • 250g of plain flour, or Green Dragon flour
4

Add the butter and mix for 8 minutes

5

Grease a container well, then decant the dough into the container

6

Spread butter over the surface of the dough, to keep it from drying out while you shape the roti. You’ll need about 40g

7

Pinch off a 78-85g ball of dough. Roll the dough into a smooth ball – in the restaurant this is done rotating the dough in the palm of your hand, while pressing in the centre with your thumb

8

Grease the dough with more butter, then place it back into the container and repeat for the remaining dough

9

Make sure all the dough is well greased, and pack the balls tightly together. Cover and leave to rest overnight

10

The next day, bring water, yellow split peas and turmeric to the boil. Simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the chana are soft and breaking down. Alternatively, cook in an electric pressure cooker for 12 minutes

11

Meanwhile, make the lamb murtabak filling. Begin by heating up the oil until it’s shimmering

  • 30g of rapeseed oil
12

Add the onion, ginger paste and garlic paste, then cook them for 10 minutes

13

Add the minced lamb and break it up as it cooks. Keep cooking the lamb until it has released its water, and the water has evaporated

  • 500g of lamb mince
14

Add salt, turmeric, curry leaves, garam masala and chilli, then cook the lamb for another 10 minutes, or until the mince is cooked through and all moisture has been cooked off

15

To make the roti, first thoroughly grease a large work surface and your hands. Flatten the dough with the heel of your hand, trying to work evenly, almost as if you were trying to smooth the dough into the countertop. You might need to drizzle a little more oil directly onto the dough or your hands as you work to stop it sticking

16

Once you have a thin, flattened piece of dough, you’ll need to ‘flip’ it to thin it out. This takes practice and no small amount of skill, so if you’re struggling, check out our Instagram video with Sugen demonstrating

17

To flip the roti, pick up the dough at the edge closest to you. One palm should be facing up and one palm facing down. Flick the dough quickly back down on the surface, almost as if you were trying to shake something off it. Repeat this until you have a paper thin almost translucent sheet of dough

18

Heat up a heavy pan or large griddle over a medium-high heat, and add a few tablespoons of ghee

19

Mix two tablespoons of lamb murtabak filling with an egg and two tablespoons of red onion

20

Transfer the thin dough to your hot pan and spread the meat mixture on the roti

21

Fold the dough into a rough rectangle, folding two edges into the middle, then folding the remaining two long sides over each other like an envelope so you have a roughly square piece of dough

22

Once browned on one side, flip the roti and fry until browned on the other side, and light and flaky throughout. You might need to flip the roti a few time to get even browning

23

Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough, wiping out the pan in between rotis, and wrapping the cooked roti in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm

24

Heat up the tempering oil in a separate pan, and toast the cinnamon, star anise and mustard seeds

25

Add the sliced onions, curry leaves and chilli, and cook until the onions and chillies have softened, about 20 minutes

26

Add the chopped tomatoes, and stir to combine

27

Mix the sambar podi with the water, and add to the pan. Lower the heat, season with the salt, and cook for 10 minutes

  • 1 tbsp of sambar podi
  • 150g of water
  • 10g of salt
28

Add the tempering to the cooked split yellow peas alongside the coriander, and warm through

29

Cut the cooked roti into four triangles, and serve with the dhal

First published in 2024

An upbringing in the kitchen of his family's restaurant in Malaysia inspired Sugen Gopal to bring those flavours to the UK. Today, he celebrates the humble Malaysian-Indian roti canai at his Roti King restaurants, and Malaysian-Tamil cooking at his restaurant Gopal's Corner.

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