Masala Toast Sandwich

Masala Toast is dedicated to all my NNC friends. It is raining outside while I am typing this recipe and it makes me home sick :( Heavy rains, cloudy sky and hot, spicy masala toast would be a staple for any Mumbaikar or a NNCite.  Whenever I make this at home I ought to remember my friends Reena, Naina, Bhavna, Mansi, Nehal :) Miss you guys!

This is an all in one sandwich packed with proteins, vitamins, and carbs specially for students and other people who commute quite a bit for work! Masala in the sandwich is a spicy onion and potato curry and is topped with freshly sliced veggies like tomatoes, bell pepper and onions. These veggies are seasoned with a blend of spices and salt that make in tangy and salty. The sandwich is then put is a special sandwich press and grilled over hot charcoal. As this pipping hot sandwich comes out of the press, it is lathered with butter and specially AMUL butter, some chutney and tomato ketchup. That's  the fun of eating masala toast. Nowadays, there is electric griddles and panini press that has been substituted for the traditional press and charcoal. There are very few places in Mumbai that toast sandwiches in traditional fashion.

So here is what you will need: 
Sandwich bread
Butter (generous helping) :)
Sandwich masala powder or salt and pepper or chat masala
Tomatoes
Onion
Bell pepper
Cheese
Masala Stuffing
Potatoes 3 boiled and mashed
Onions 1 finely chopped
green chillies
ginger paste
mustard seeds 1tsp.
turmeric 1tsp.
salt
oil 1tbsp.
Lemon juice
Green peas (optional)

Heat oil in a pan, add, mustard seeds, chopped green chillies, ginger paste. Saute chopped onions till they get tender. Add turmeric powder and fry for a min. Add boiled and mashed potatoes. Add salt to taste, green peas, lemon juice and chopped cilantro. Mix it well and cook for 4-5 mins. 

Set the potato masala aside and allow it to cool completely. 

Make this masala stuffing ahead of time if you expect guests over!

To make green cilantro chutney:
Cilantro 1 bunch
green chillies
ginger
cumin seeds
peanut or roasted gram/દાડિયા ડાળ
salt
lemon juice

Blend all the ingredients in a blender to form a smooth chutney or dipping sauce.  You could add garlic if you prefer.

To make the sandwich.

Slice the crusty sides so that the sandwich fits into the press. (this step is optional.)

Apply butter and green chutney (to your taste) evenly.

Put 1 spoonful of potato masala in the center of the bread slice.

Thinly slice tomatoes and put 2-3 slices.

Put 1 slice of onion and bell pepper. 

Sprinkle some seasoning. I use chat masala but I found a special sandwich seasoning at an Indian store.

Recently I also found a sandwich seasoning from the famous Mumbai sandwich place 'Sandwizza' which stands for Sandwich and Pizza :) Earlier this place was called Swastik Sandwich place in Santacruz, Mumbai but, now they have grown to become a chain of Sandwich joint all over mumbai!

The next step is again optional. but I cannot forget Gaurav, my dearest brother-in-law who would not prefer a Sandwich without cheese. Amul cheese, our all time favorite! Especially when you making a Mumbai street food style sandwich Amul cheese is a must!

A slice of boiled beat root could also be added on top of the veggies.

Cover the veggies with another slice of buttered and chutneyed bread.

Insert the sandwich carefully in the press or place it on the panini press or a griddle.

Grill the sandwich on the stove or electric griddle. 

Allow it to crust on both sided by flipping the hand press.

Gently remove it from the press and place it on a clean surface for a min. before cutting it into bite size pieces.

Cut it into 4 pieces straight down or diagonally. spread some butter over the grilled sandwich. Serve with green chutney and ketchup!