1. In a bowl mix together flour and oil. Slowly add water, mixing and kneading to make a firm but pliable dough. Add more water if necessary. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for 30 - 60 minutes.

2. Knead the dough again, divide into 4 equal portions and shape each one into a round ball. Flatten each ball slightly, dust both sides with flour to prevent sticking. Keep them covered.

3. Lightly flour the work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball as thin as possible into a round disc, turning and dusting with flour as necessary. 

4. Preheat a skillet or heavy based pan on medium heat for about 4-6 minutes. When hot (not very hot and smoking), slap the rolled out dough onto it. Cook for about 15 seconds or until it picks up a few brown spots underneath. Turn the chapati over and cook for another 15 seconds. Cook on each side, turning over a few times, pressing the edges gently. Transfer to a plate when both sides turn light brown. It takes about 2 minutes to cook each chapati. Keep chapatis covered until ready to serve. 

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Serve with dhal and vegetable or yoghurt dish.

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Tips and variations:

• To spice up chapatis, add ½ teaspoon ground cumin and ¼ teaspoon chilli powder to the flour.

• To increase heart protecting nutrients of chapatis, add 2 teaspoons LSA (ground linseed, sunflower seeds and almonds) to the flour. It is available in supermarkets.   

• Make chapatis with 1 cup wholemeal flour and ½ cup oatmeal flour or barley flour or soy flour. The soluble fibre in oats and barley can help lower cholesterol levels. Soy flour contains high quality protein, antioxidants and soluble fibre.​​