Kathi rolls and Frankies were not something I grew up with in the south of India. We had our masala dosas which are rice crepes filled with a potato filling and a coconut chutney on the side. In the south, people believed in sitting down for meals and eating and relishing it. I have read that Khati rolls originated in Calcutta and Frankies in Mumbai; two cities hustling and bustling even back when I was a kid. I had not visited either place until I was an adult. I grew up in a sleepy small town called Bangalore where street food included masala puri, nippatu chat and gobi manchurian. Since I had not travelled beyond the Vindhya mountains I had not come across food like kathi rolls and frankies. Kathi rolls are found on almost every street in Calcutta and oh, so scrumptious. Both Kathi rolls and frankies are rotis stuffed with meat or veggies and maybe cheese and rolled to be eaten on the go. Sometimes, an egg is added to the roti. Today you find this everywhere even in the ‘not so sleepy’ city of Bangalore.

This is my version, inspired from the streets of Calcutta and Mumbai. To be more decadent, a nice flaky ceylon parantha could be used instead of a whole wheat roti. It is spicy and tangy. You could fill it with chicken tikka or panner tikka or any vegetables or meat of you choice. Kebabs go really well with this. I have used tamarind and coriander chutney but a yogurt dip (yogurt mixed with coriander chutney) may also be used.

Paneer Masala

Ingredients:

• 1 packet paneer 200 g
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 tsp oil
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• To be mixed to a paste: 1 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste, 2 tsp chat masala, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 -1 tsp chilli powder, salt, 1 tbsp yogurt (optional)
• 1 tbsp coriander leaves

Directions:

• Cut paneer into cubes. Coat paste on paneer and let it marinate for 30 minutes
• Heat oil, add onions and fry till golden brown
• Add tomatoes and fry till tomatoes are well cooked and oil separates (you see some oil on the sides of the pan)
• Add the paneer and keep cooking till it is almost dry. Keep mixing to avoid burning

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Mushroom Capsicum Pepper Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 6-8 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 capsicum, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp oil

Directions:

• Heat oil in a pan
• Add onions and fry for a few minutes
• Add mushrooms and stir fry for 3-4 minutes
• Add the capsicum/green peppers and stir fry for another 3-4 minutes. Season with salt, chat masala and chilli powder
• Set aside

Onion garnish

Slice one red onion, squeeze 1/2 a lemon on it. Add 1/2 tsp chilli powder and 1 tsp chat masala, 1/4 tsp salt. Mix and set aside.

• tortillas/ chappati/ ceylon paratha
• 2 tbsp oil
• coriander chutney, store bought
• sweet tamarind chutney, store bought

Method

• Heat rotis/ paratha drizzling some oil on it
• Place some paneer or veggies on the rotis
• drizzle some coriander and tamarind chutney on it
• Add some onion garnish
• Roll and serve hot

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