What is Kathi Roll?

Kathi Roll is an Indian layered paratha wrap with a filling of grilled kebabs (on kati/skewers), green chutney or sauces, shredded veggies and sometimes even with eggs. Kathi Roll gets its name for the skewers or stick referred to as ‘Kati’ in Bengali, to which the kebabs are threaded before grilling. Kathi roll is an innovative dish created in the 1930s by Kolkata’s famous Nizam’s Restaurant, before it was adapted and popularized by the street vendors. In fact, no trip to this city will be complete without the tasting of authentic Bengali sweets, puchkas, and the you-cannot-escape–me Kathi roll. This savory Indian wrap started as a meat kebab stuffed within rolled parathas and has since evolved to the versions you see today. With the movement of people and their foods across the country, kati roll has become a pan India food served by everyone from street carts and small eateries to canteens and restaurants. Then you have us creative home cooks trying our hand at the modest but delicious food. Kathi Rolls are especially popular with kids and make a balanced lunchbox meal for them. This dish is a great menu option when you’re entertaining guests at home or need something that stays fresh for office potlucks.

About this recipe

My recipe isn’t the traditional roll with meat kebab stuffing in case you’re wondering. I have taken the basic idea of that wrap and given it a healthier makeover. It features some easy to find vegetables, regular spices and the everyday roti or Chapati dough. There are numerous ways to make this stuffing and even the wrappers. From thick dough wrappers (Paratha) to thin Thepla-style wraps, you have options galore. Roll, wrap, wrapper, packet – call it by any name – makes a complete meal, and often, a hearty one depending what goes inside. When you start making wraps, you realize that these recipes are indeed versatile. Kathi rolls are no exception! For the healthy vegetarian version vegetables are sautéed with spices and wrapped in whole wheat Chapatis that come with a thick spread of Green chutney. The boiled and cubed potatoes provide a filling and rich taste when combined with green peas. The stir fried bell peppers provide the necessary crunch with warm spices adding the much needed flavor.

How to make Kathi Roll (Stepwise Photos)

Preparation

  1. Steam or boil 1 medium to large potato until fork tender. I used 1 large potato, rinsed, peeled and cubed. I steamed in pressure cooker until just done not mushy.
  2. If you know how to make roti or paratha, you may skip the first few steps of making them. Add 1¼ cup atta (wheat flour) to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle little salt. I usually do not use salt.
  3. Pour 1 tsp oil and little less than ⅓ cup water. Oil is optional. You can also use buttermilk to make the dough.
  4. Mix it to a dough. Knead well until it looks soft and pliable. Cover and set aside until the filling is ready.

Make the Filling

  1. Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon oil. Add ½ teaspoon cumin and ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds (optional). When they begin to crackle, add a pinch of hing (optional).
  2. Add 1 medium sliced onion (about ½ to ¾ cup) and sprinkle a pinch of salt. Saute until the onions slightly discolor.
  3. Next add ¾ teaspoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ teaspoon each grated or fine chopped).
  4. Saute until the raw smell of the ginger garlic goes off.
  5. Add the following ingredients.

1 to large medium boiled potato diced ¾ cup bell peppers sliced (or Carrots julienned) ¼ to ½ cup green peas (frozen or boiled) ⅛ teaspoon turmeric ¾ teaspoon coriander powder ½ teaspoon red chili powder ½ teaspoon garam masala ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

For my kids’ I generally use less garam masala and more coriander powder and saunf powder. 10. Mix everything well and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. If you want to add paneer, add it at this stage. Cover and cook on a very low heat for 2 to 3 mins until the capsicum partially cooks to your liking. Taste test and adjust salt. Set this aside & cool down. While these cook, I finish making the fresh green chutney. You can find the recipe of green chutney here. You can also use any store bought sauce like red chilli sauce or sriracha or schezwan sauce.

Make Kathi Rolls

  1. Divide the dough to 4 to 5 equal parts. Shape them to round balls.
  2. Dust the rolling board with little flour. Flatten a ball and sprinkle flour over it on both the sides.
  3. Begin to roll it evenly to a round shaped layer. Set this aside and continue to make the rest while you fry them.
  4. Heat a tawa / griddle. When it is hot enough, transfer the roti to the pan. When you begin to see the bubbles, flip it and press down gently.
  5. Flip it and cook on both the sides until golden to brown spots appear. You can add ghee or oil at this stage. Spread a kitchen cloth or tissue over a plate. Transfer the cooked roti to the plate and stack them.
  6. Smear the chutney or sauce as much as you like. Make sure the chutney is thick else the roti will turn soggy and break. You can also use fresh veggies like shredded cabbage, onions and carrots. If you are making these to serve later or to pack in the office or school boxes, avoid spreading the chutney, instead drizzle some thick chutney over the filling.
  7. Fold one edge of the roti towards the inner side. Begin to roll it tightly. Use a sandwich pick to hold the kati roll in shape. You can also use a parchment paper to wrap one end of the rolls. Keep the kathi rolls covered until used.

Variations

There are standard fillings that have come to be associated with a kati roll, but don’t let that stop you. When you’ve mastered the method of making these rolls, you can try your hand at different filling combos. Gluten-free option: This is a vegan but not gluten-free recipe. Use corn tortillas, plain chilla or even gluten-free roti (made with flours like millet, sorghum, soy) as wrappers. Add Protein: Grated paneer, hard cheese, tofu, tempeh and even cooked beans (not the mushy kind) make good additions. Make Paneer rolls by following one of these recipes – Paneer tikka, Garlic Paneer, Paneer Jalfrezi or Chilli paneer. Use fresh shredded veggies of choice like carrots, onions, zucchini, cucumbers etc. Make meaty kathi rolls: You can use this Chicken Jalfrezi to fill your chicken rolls. Or grill the chicken following my Chicken tikka or Chicken kebabs. Make this Kachumber or Onion salad and use as a filling.

Pro Tips

Street style Kathi rolls are made with refined flour. For a healthier version I use whole wheat flour. You are free to use any. For the sauce, my preferred choices are these homemade Green chutney, Mint chutney, Coriander chutney and Schezwan sauce as we try to minimize the consumption of store bought bottled sauces. For convenience you may use store bought red chilli sauce, sri racha or any other of choice. To wrap the Kathi rolls, I use sandwich picks or wooden picks. If you are serving them to young kids, please wrap them in parchment paper or do monitor them. If making Kathi rolls for school or office boxes make sure you don’t spread the sauce or chutney on the chapati or paratha as the kati rolls can turn soggy. Instead pack the sauce or chutney separately. Related Recipes

Recipe Card

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