WHY I LOVE MY chakla and belan

Chef and author Chetna Makan on her treasured kitchen kit. Chetna’s new book, Chetna’s 30 Minute Indian (see p31), is out now.

There are many things in my kitchen that I love, but there’s one I use a lot, the chakla and belan (rolling board and pin). It’s used for making flatbreads, from roti to paratha and puri. My dad bought it for me when I lived in Mumbai and I brought it here. The wood is smooth after years of use and the belan seems like it has been shaped for my hands, as it’s a perfect fit and rolls beautifully.