History of the Dish:
Roti John is highly popular in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. In Indonesia, we have Burger Daging Sapi, which is, of course, an adaptation from the Western beef burger, but there are eggs and sauces similar to Roti John added to the burger. In a way, it is also very similar to martabak telor / martabak mesir
Roti John, well, it’s the combination of everything: the crusty
baguette, the aromatic onion, minced meat with the omelette, and of course the combination of sauces: ketchup, chili sauce, and mayonnaise.
Why do I call it the Dish of Love?
John, the Bible describes as the disciple whom Jesus loved. As we now enter this season of love or Christmas as it is called, we realize that Jesus gave up His earthly life on the cross out of the love He had for mankind as a payment for the sins of the world. As we celebrate Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus, let us also spread His love by making this roti not just for the Johns but for our family and friends as a dish of love.
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Benefits of Sourdough bread
- Many people find it tastier and healthier than conventional bread.
- Sourdough uses a mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria that are naturally present in flour, rather than baker’s yeast, to leaven the dough.
- Sourdough bread is often easier to digest than conventional bread fermented with brewer’s yeast.
- Sourdough bread contains lower amounts of gluten and its prebiotic- and probiotic-like properties may help improve digestion.
- Sourdough bread contains higher levels of folate and antioxidants than other breads. Its lower phytate levels allow your body to absorb the nutrients it contains more easily.
- Lastly, sourdough fermentation allows for better blood sugar control and improved insulin sensitivity.
Yield: 2 servings
Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 5 mins
Ingredients
- 50ml tomato ketchup (optional – replaced with Korean Sauce)
- 50ml chilli sauce (optional)
- 50ml water
- Marjoram leaves
- Oregano
- Meat masala (Baba’s Suggested)
- Pinch of salt (Himalayan Suggested)
- 1 French loaf (200g) (used Sour Dough)
- 2 tbsp sambal (chilli paste) (optional – to be spicy)
- 1 (100g) onion, chopped (essential)
- 4 eggs, beaten (used 2 eggs)
- 200g ground beef (used Pork 250g)
- 2 green finger chillies, deseeded and sliced (used black pepper instead)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (not more than 2 tbsp)
- 2 slices (80g) of cheddar cheese (optional or mayonnaise)
Directions
METHOD
Dipping Sauce:
- To prepare the dipping sauce, place the tomato ketchup, chili sauce and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Remove from heat and set the dipping sauce aside.
Roti John:
- Halve the French loaf breadthwise.
- Butterfly each piece of French loaf and set aside.
- Prepare the pan by heating it on the fire, when hot, pour 1 tbsp of oil and let it wet the bottom of the pan.
- Prepare the chopped onions and brown them on the pan.
- Mix the eggs in a bowl and flip them with a beater or spoon.
- Add the meat to the pan and spread it out so it is able to cook and brown itself
- Add in the spices to the meat, which includes the pepper, salt, marjoram, oregano, Baba’s Masala and chili if required.
- After stirring and mixing the ingredients, add the bread that is soaked with egg on to the mix and press it so that it sticks to the mix.
- Use a frying slice or spatula to press the bread onto the egg mixture. Fry for one or two minutes until the omelette is cooked through.
- Turn the bread over. Place two slices of cheese on one side of the bread.
- Fold the bread over. Press down gently and fry each side for 30 seconds.
- Remove from the pan and slice into eight pieces.
- Serve with dipping sauce on the side.
