Vegetable Roll

I had a very filling New Year. And I mean it. The resort where we went for our New Year's eve party had all the fresh sea foods in their buffet. Fresh prawns and squids filled our plates in the dinner and you could literally smell the sea behind them. We had a really good time. But in the evening there were mosquitoes in the beach and I have red and swollen mosquito bites all over the legs and arms. I hate it. Next day we spent the morning there and later on our way home we went to an Indian restaurant called "Namaste India". After a long long time I had Indian food which was not home cooked. The kebabs were soft and succulent and perfect in taste. We ordered Malai Kebab, Sheekh Kabab, Pahadi Kebab and Paneer Tikka kebab. All of them were great!! In the main course we took Tandoori roti, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mutton Kadai and Chicken Biriyani. After the tempting and impressive starter, main course was a real let down. The Biriyani was soggy and tasteless. The roti came under-cooked and the mutton kadai was just another mutton curry with no trace of the kadai masla. But the lassis, gulab jamun and kulfi came out okay..and whatever the main course was...the dessert made sure that our meal had a perfect sweet ending note.

I made this vegetable roll a while back because I had some leftover naans from the previous day. Veg rolls are quite popular in Kolkata as they come with a cheap price tag and is a good street side option if you are eating veg that day. Each food joints have their own recipe for making the vegetable rolls as there are different combinations you can make with the veggies. The most common being the one with a spicy potato curry. Some also throws in some paneer, carrots and beetroots..but I like this cauliflower one more. If you don't like cauliflower just reduce its quantity and increase the quantity of the potatoes. In the end sprinkle some rock salt and chaat masala with a drizzle of lime juice. Trust me...making Vegetable Roll is that easy and it makes a good snack or lunchbox item in a jiffy!!

Vegetable Roll

Makes 4

Ingredients:

1 small cauliflower

1 small potato – boiled with some salt till soft

2 small onions – 1 sliced, 1 chopped

½ of a capsicum

A handful of green peas

1 small carrot – peeled and chopped

A handful of fresh coriander leaves – finely chopped

½ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp dry roasted and ground cumin powder

1 tsp chat masalas

Juice of 1 lime

A handful of roasted salted peanuts

4 medium size naan / tortillas / roti

Red chilli sauce

Green chilli sauce

Tomato ketchup

Salt

Oil to fry

Method:

Prepare the filling:

Cut the cauliflower into small florets and then cut off the stem from the florets. Then mince them finely with a sharp knife or a food processor.

In a bowl mash the boiled potatoes finely.

In a kadai heat the oil and the cumin seeds to them.

As soon as they start to sizzle add in the minced cauliflower to them.

Sprinkle some salt over them and cook for 3-4 minutes. If required add a dash of water to continue cooking.

Once the cauliflowers are cooked, add the mashed potatoes, green peas, peanuts, ground cumin and coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt (if required).

Mix well and cook till the raw flavour of the spices are gone and the mixture almost resembles of mashed potato.

Taste and adjust seasoning and put off the flame.

In another pan heat a little oil and lightly sauté one sliced onion and sliced capsicum. Add in the prepared cauliflower and potato mix and mix well. Once done, put   off the flame and add in the chopped coriander leaves. Mix again and transfer the entire mixture in a bowl.

Assemble the roll:

Take a naan / chapatti / paratha / roti / tortilla and place a little of the prepared filling in the middle. Top it with chopped onions, chopped green chillies, green chilli sauce, red chilli sauce, lime juice and chat masala. Role the roti to secure the filling and then wrap half of the stuffed roti / naan with aluminium foil / tissue paper or kitchen towel and serve hot.