This is a simple to make snack , also can be made as lunchbox specials or when you go for family picnics. The roll I have made here is a protein rich , very filling and very healthy one which is good for kids.It is specially good when you are living abroad , because I have heard most of my friends complaining about having to make different non messy lunch items for kids which they can take and eat from school and also which supplies all the necessary nutrients which will also be filling for them, above all presentable in such a style that attracts them and they eat full. I assure you this is one such item which is going to bring a smile on your kids face when they open the lunchbox in the noon. Wait to get surprised to see an empty box in the evening!
I have made this in two steps- first step being preparation of the covering which forms the roll . It is the Tofu parathas made with silken tofu and chappathy flour.Tofu is made from soybeans, water and a coagulant, or curdling agent. It is high in protein and calcium and well known for its ability to absorb new flavors through spices and marinades. Second step being the preparation of the filling -here I have made a purely vegetarian filling with our day to day Indian masalas. You can make it your style by adding different sauces also. The final step is the rolling of the filling inside the covering . If you have to eat it fresh then just roll and serve hot with any of your favorite sauce. If you need to pack in a lunch box or for a picnic then you can roll it and keep it stable with a toothpick, then you can wrap it up in an aluminium foil so that it can be eaten without messing up your hands.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
For the Tofu parathas:
- Silken tofu - 1 packet
- Red chilly powder- 1/2 tablespoon
- Cumin powder- 1/4 tablespoon
- Green chillies- 4-finely chopped
- Pickle masala - one tablespoon
- Garam masala- 1/4 tablespoon
- Chaat masala- 1/4 tablespoon (Optional)
- Salt as needed
- Coriander leaves (Cilantro)- 1/2 cup
- Chappathy flour- 2 cups (depends on the consistency of each mix)
For the filling :
- Onion- 1 big sized sliced thinly
- Capsicum - 1 medium sized .sliced thin and long
- Carrots- sliced thin and long - 1 cup
- Potatoes- 2 medium sized siced thin and long
- Green peas- 1/2 cup
- Mustard seeds- 1/2 tablespoon
- Cumin seeds- 1/2 tablespoon
- Red chilly powder- 1/2 tablespoon
- Turmeric powder- 1/4 tablespoon
- Coriander powder- 1 tablespoon
- Garam masala - 1/4 tablespoon
- Chaat masala - 1/4 tablespoon
- Coriander leaves- 1/4 cup
- Salt as needed
How to Prepare:
Step 1: Remove the tofu from the packet and drain off all the water from it placing it in a clean and dry paper towel in a colander.
Step 2: Crumble the tofu with your hands. As it is silken tofu which is the softest type available in market, it just melts in your hands. Add all the masala powders and salt and knead it well.
Add the cilantro and green chillies and mix well with hands. It will be little sticky at this point.
Step 3: Add the chappathy flour little by little so that the mix would not turn dry all of a sudden. Keep kneading the mix until you get a smooth dough which is soft to touch and non sticky. Sprinkle little oil on top and keep it covered with a moist cloth for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Add the thinly sliced onions and saute till it turns transparent and crisp. Add the sliced vegetables and mix well.
Step 5: Add all the masala powders and salt and stir well to mix all the ingredients together.
Step 6: Cover and cook till done without adding any water. When almost done add cilantro and switch off flame.
Step 8: Place a spoonful of the filling onto the hot parathas made, in one side.
Step 9: Roll the parathas tightly from the filled end to the other. When done keep it tight using a tooth pick.
Serve hot .
If for lunch box or for picnics:
Step 10: Keep two equal sized rectangular shaped aluminium foils . On one keep one end of the roll and wrap the aluminium foil around it in a diagonal way. Then wrap the other end with the second foil piece. This way the kids can remove one foil piece ,enjoy that end of the veg roll by holding the bottom piece of foil and then proceed to the rest half portion without any mess.
Tips: You can make variations of this dish.
If you are running short of time to make chappathys or parathas you can use Tortillas which just needs a warm up on the griddle for seconds and then fill in your stuffing masala and roll it up.
If you do not have tortillas but have left over chappathys you can use it too . Just heat it up on a griddle or in microwave and it is ready to go.
You can make paneer parathas also if that is what you like and have in your refrigerator instead of tofu. (But that will be an extra few calories. For kids ...no worries, but for adults .....................think twice!!!
For the filling you can add your favorite ingredients like keema or any other veggie selection or scrambles eggs. And instead of the masalas used in here , you can substitute sauces of your choice.
See, now you got so many ideas for lunch box menu . Your kids will love you for it. Do try it out for them and I will be happy to get their reviews on it.
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