Rolex (Ugandan Egg and Vegetable Chapati Roll)
In short: A fresh, soft chapati wrapped around a thin omelet of eggs, cabbage, tomato and onion. A Ugandan street-food favorite, easy to make at home. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Rolex is the street snack of Uganda, sold from carts and stalls in every town. The name is a play on rolled eggs: a thin omelet of eggs, shredded cabbage, tomato and onion is laid on a hot, freshly cooked chapati and rolled up tight. It is cheap, quick and filling, eaten for breakfast, lunch or late at night, and at home the chapatis can be made ahead and the rolls assembled in minutes.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the oil and warm water and stir to a shaggy dough, adding a spoonful more water if it feels dry.
- Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 4 balls and roll each into a thin round about 22 cm (9 in) wide.
- Heat a heavy pan over medium heat. Cook each chapati in about 1 teaspoon of oil for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until blistered and golden but still soft. Stack them in a clean towel to keep them pliable.
- Beat the eggs with the cabbage, tomato, onion, salt, pepper and chili, if using. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a clean pan over medium heat and pour in a quarter of the mixture, spreading it into a thin round.
- When the egg is half set, after about 1 minute, lay a chapati on top and press down. Flip the whole thing and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, until the egg is completely set with no wet patches.
- Slide it onto a board with the egg side up, roll it tightly and cut in half if you like. Repeat with the rest and serve warm.
Tips
- Cook the chapatis ahead and keep them wrapped in a towel, or use good-quality ready-made ones. Assemble the rolls just before eating, since the egg firms up and the chapati dries as it cools.
- For a more filling roll add sliced avocado, cooked sausage or leftover beans. Keep the cabbage and tomato finely cut so they cook through in seconds.
Questions and answers
Why is it called rolex?
The name is a play on rolled eggs, said quickly. It describes exactly what the snack is: eggs rolled inside a chapati.
Can I use store-bought flatbread?
Yes. Any soft, thin flatbread or tortilla works, though homemade chapati gives the classic flaky, slightly chewy texture.
How do I keep the roll from tearing?
Roll the chapati thin but not paper-thin, cook it only until soft and bendable, and keep it wrapped in a towel so it stays pliable until you assemble.
How long does it take to make Rolex (Ugandan Egg and Vegetable Chapati Roll)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rolex (Ugandan Egg and Vegetable Chapati Roll)?
About 480 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 51 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
