This chapati roll, or rolex is traditional street food in Uganda. That means that it's the perfect super easy grab and go lunch or dinner recipe. It just takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and all you need is an uncooked tortilla, eggs, cheese, and your fave seasonal vegetables to have an easy & hand held meal.
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How will this chapati roll make your life easier?
Eggs are by far the most common throw together dinner. You know those nights you're hungry, tired, but would rather make something than grab something out. They're versatile and easy to throw together. You can make breakfast tacos, sausage & egg breakfast casserole, huevos rancheros, South African spiced shakshuka, or this quick microwavable egg bowl. Add some fresh veggies from your fridge and a sprinkle of cheese and then wrap it up in a freshly cooked tortilla for a fun twist on an easy egg dinner.
What makes this chapati roll so good?
- Oil
- Garlic
- Chopped vegetables
- Eggs
- Milk
- Uncooked tortilla
- Cheddar cheese
How do I make a Ugandan chapati roll?
First step is to sautee the vegetables & garlic in the oil and salt. Sautee them on medium-low heat. This is where lots of the flavor comes from, so make sure to season it appropriately with salt, and use oil.
Stir vegetables occasionally, and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan once done.
Expert Tip: Use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Onions, corn, zucchini, tomatoes are all great.
Keep remaining oil from the vegetables in the pan, it'll make the tortilla a step closer to being like chapati.
Instead of using chapati (because you can't really find it in stores in the US), heat up an uncooked tortilla over medium heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until one side is slightly browned and little bubbles form.
Flip tortilla and cook another 1-2 minutes, or until the second side is slightly browned. Slide a spatula under the tortilla to remove from pan and place on a plate. Set aside
Expert Tip: if bubbles in the tortilla get too big, pierce bubble with a fork.
Now it's time for the eggs. Add 2 eggs, ¼ c milk, and a pinch of salt & pepper to a medium bowl, then whisk together with a fork or whisk until the whites and yolks are incorporated.
This egg dish will be more similar to an omelet than scrambled eggs. Pour egg mixture into the non-stick fry pan. Using a small rubber spatula, stir eggs in little circles as they cook. This is similar to a French omelet. Scrape down sides often, and continue to stir until eggs are mostly cooked, about 3 minutes.
Press down eggs with spatula so they're even thickness and there are no holes.
Once eggs are mostly cooked, pour vegetable mixture over them, spread out until they're even and sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese over vegetables. Cook until cheese is melted. Slide spatula under eggs to make sure they're not stuck to the pan.
Expert Tip: Don't worry if you break the eggs while doing this. Just press them back together.
Once eggs are done, slide out of pan onto the tortilla. The egg mixture will cover the tortilla.
Roll up tortilla with egg mixture. Enjoy immediately.
Expert tips
- Use whatever vegetables you have on hand!
- If the eggs break up, that's fine, still slide it onto the tortilla and roll up. You won't notice a difference. This happened to me more than not.
- Traditionally this is eaten on the go, so you can roll it in a towel and eat on the go, or eat from a plate like I did. Eat on a plate with a knife & fork or hold it for easy access.
FAQ
What is chapati and why do you use a tortilla?
Chapati is an unleavened flatbread eaten in Eastern Africa, and other countries in Asia and the island countries in Asia. It's most similar to Indian naan, but also to a tortilla.
Chapati isn't readily available in the US, you'd have to make it from scratch. So instead of making it, I used uncooked tortillas and thought it was really similar to the chapati I ate in Uganda. Uncooked tortillas are thinner than chapati, and are cooked in less oil, but they're really similar.
What's rolex?
Rolex is what this chapati roll is called in Uganda. When I lived there, we got rolex with various vegetables in it, but it was always chapati + eggs at least.
How do you roll a round chapati?
Once eggs are on top of the tortilla, fold the tortilla + eggs over itself, about ¾-1 inch long. Then continue to roll away from you until it's all rolled up. The key to a nice round chapati is rolling it as tight as possible.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- (eggs & tortillas) Breakfast Tacos, Huevos Rancheros
- (tortillas) Bean and vegetable quesadilla, Vegetarian tacos
- (eggs) Egg and sausage casserole, Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches, or Microwave Egg Bowl
Did you make a chapati roll? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Chapati Roll with Summer Vegetables
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- small non-stick fry pan
- rubber spatula
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon mild oil I used grapeseed
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¾ cup chopped vegetables I used zucchini and corn
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 2 whole eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 whole uncooked tortilla
- 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat small non-stick fry pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon garlic, ¾ c vegetables, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir vegetables until they're soft and cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan, set aside. Leave any remaining oil in the pan.
- While vegetables are cooking, crack two eggs into a small mixing bowl. Add milk and remaining salt. Whisk together until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Once vegetables have been removed from the pan, place uncooked tortilla in pan. Cook until first side turns opaque, about 1-2 minutes. Flip tortilla, and cook for another 2 minutes. Poke air bubbles with a fork. Second side will be more brown than the first side. Remove and set on serving plate.
- Pour egg mixture into the non-stick fry pan. Using a small rubber spatula, stir eggs in little circles as they cook. This is similar to a French omelet. Scrape down sides often, and continue to stir until eggs are mostly cooked, about 3 minutes. Press down eggs with spatula so they're even thickness and there are no holes.
- Once eggs are mostly cooked, pour vegetable mixture over them, spread out until they're even and sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese over vegetables. Cook until cheese is melted. Slide spatula under eggs to make sure they're not stuck to the pan.
- Once eggs are done, slide out of pan onto the tortilla. The egg mixture will cover the tortilla. Roll tortilla with egg mixture up. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use whatever vegetables you have on hand!
- If the eggs break up, that's fine, still slide it onto the tortilla and roll up. You won't notice a difference. This happened to me more than not.
- Traditionally this is eaten on the go, so you can roll it in a towel and eat on the go, or eat from a plate like I did. Eat on a plate with a knife & fork or hold it for easy access.
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Kelly Anthony says
I love simple quick meals like this one. This will also make a great afternoon snack for the kids after school.
Rebecca says
oh it'd be such a great snack!
Hayley says
This looks like it would make a great breakfast recipe also!
Rebecca says
totally! It's good any time of the day
Sonal says
Chapati travels to Africa from India. It’s a native flat bread from the country :). I love discovering chapati or roti in other cuisines as quintessential bread and used in different recipes. Thanks for sharing this.
Rebecca says
That's awesome & you're so right, thanks for sharing! Chapati & roti are both so good and I love how we can find them or something really similar in so many different cuisines
Jennie Duncan says
Wow, this looks so easy to make, and I can't wait to try it!
Rebecca says
ya it's so easy! thanks
Whitney says
This looks like a versatile recipe to have on hand, I am always looking for new egg recipes to switch up the daily routine of plain old scrambled eggs.
Rebecca says
awesome! hope you like it!