Roas' Bake

Re-posting of recipe:

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"Johnny-Bake":

A firm, solid, disc-shaped bread, averaging 11 inches in diameter, 2 inches thick, baked in an oven, or cooked in an iron pot which is covered with a metal sheet and upon which live coals are placed. Originally a "journey bake," cooked especially so that it will remain edible on a long journey. More commonly known as roas' bake.

-- From Cote Ci, Cote La: Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary, by John Mendes, © 1986.

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A little over a year ago, around Christmastime, my husband Marcus and I hosted a "Trini Open House" in our home -- complete with Trini music, rum punch, and of course, food. A Trini friend of mine brought some of the most delicious Coconut Roast Bake that I have ever tasted, and it brought memories of my childhood crashing back. As a child on Sunday mornings, there was nothing like some hot roas' bake, some of my mum's saltfish buljol, and a steaming cup of Milo.

A couple of days ago, I begged my friend for her recipe, which she generously sent me immediately, including her tips on how to make it just a bit better.

Yesterday, I made it. While I would never presume to say it was as good as hers, let's just say there's very little of it left.

So here, for your enjoyment, is the recipe for Coconut Roast Bake. I'll post my recipe for saltfish buljol at a later date, but in the meantime, this is best served hot with butter, cheese, ham and/or eggs, on a lazy weekend morning.

Coconut Roast Bake

4 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 cup sugar
4 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 13.5-oz can of coconut milk
Extra flour for "bringing in the dough"

1. Sift flour with the baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. Rub the butter into the flour mixture until a fine, granular consistency.

3. Slowly add the coconut milk to make a smooth dough. If necessary, add the extra flour to "bring in" the dough -- i.e., make the dough a similar consistency to this:

4. Shape the dough into a ball, and leave to rise in the mixing bowl covered with a dishcloth for 1 hour.

5. During a second kneading, use a little more butter if desired. Re-form into a ball, and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.

6. Flatten the dough into a 3/4"-1" round on a greased cookie sheet or pizza-pie sheet. Prick all over with a fork, so it looks like this:

7. Bake for about 25 minutes in a 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven, or until golden brown. My mum's tip: if you tap on the top of it, and it sounds hollow, it's ready.

8. Enjoy!

Comments

[echa]

looks so delicious