Mamma’s Alu Sandwiches (Indian style Potato and Cheese Sandwiches)

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

Recipe Courtesy: Mamma (Sumita Moitra)

Sandwich is one of the easiest and quickest meal options in most of the families. In India, Sandwiches are prepared not with Delis (cooked meat, salads and pickles) but with a filling of mashed vegetables or ground meat, fried onions and spices. They taste entirely different than the sandwiches I have had in the U.S as there is no dressing or pickles in them.  The filling is first fried and then filled in the sandwiches which brings an enhanced flavor. Agreed they are not to be consumed if you want to loose weight but they do taste awesome and are an excellent weekend brunch option. 

Growing up, I have had these numerous times and I love them. My mom used to prepare this as a quick snack and because of its yummy taste we used to eat it without any tantrums. Its filling and appetizing and I am sure a great meal option for the kids who want something new on their plate every other day. I have tried this quite a few times since my India trip. It’s easy to prepare, uses just a few ingredients and since I do not have a sandwich maker I have improvised the recipe so that it can be prepared on a skillet.

This is also a very good recipe for your vegetarian friends as it does not have any meat! I prepared this as a brunch on Diwali (Indian festival of lights) and Debarshi clicked this awesome photo. So, here you go, drooling zone starts here.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes – 3, medium size, boiled, peeled and mashed
• Asafoetida – about ¼ teaspoon
• Red Onion – ½ medium, finely chopped + ½, cut into thin slices
• Ginger - 1 tablespoon, chopped 
• Green Chili - 1 tablespoon, chopped 
• Turmeric – ½ teaspoon
• Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon
• Garam masala – ½ teaspoon
• Bread – about 6-8 slices
• Red Chili Powder – ½ teaspoon
• Salt – about ½ teaspoon (or as per taste)
• Mango Power -1 teaspoon
• Cilantro – a handful, chopped
• Oil – 2-3 tablespoons (for frying the potato filling) + 2-3 tablespoons (for toasting the breads) 
• Cheese – about 2 cups (shredded or cut into thin slices)
• Cucumber – 1, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions to prepare the filling:

• Heat a wok over medium high heat.
• Add Oil (2-3 tablespoons) in it and once it heats up a bit, add the Asafoetida, Onions, Ginger and Green Chilies in it. 
• Fry well till the Onions are golden in color.
• Add the mashed Potatoes and mix well.
• Let’s start adding the spices –Turmeric, Black Pepper, Garam Masala, Red Chili Powder, Salt and Mango Power. Mix well. 
• Keep frying till the mixture changes color to golden brown.
• Add the Cilantro, mix well and turn off the heat.

Directions to prepare the Sandwich:

• Take a big skillet and heat it on medium high heat.
• Take 2 slices of Bread and place them on the skillet so that they start toasting.
• After a couple of seconds, turn them over and apply a little oil on them using a brush.
• Turn them over again and apply oil on this side as well.
• When both the sides look a little toasted, turn down the heat to medium and sprinkle some cheese on one of them.
• Add a generous amount of the Potato filling on the bread, do not press it, the cheese will melt and hold the filling together with the bread.
• Top it with 3-4 Cucumber and Onion slices.
• Sprinkle some Cheese on it and place the second toasted bread on top of it and press gently with the spatula.
• The cheese will start melting and it will hold the bread and the filling together. 
• Wait for a few minutes, then turn the sandwich carefully so that the other side gets toasted properly.
• Indian Potato and Cheese Sandwich is ready; you can slice it in halves or diagonally. 
• Serve the Sandwich with Cilantro Chutney or Ketchup.

Tips:

• If you are using a non stick skillet, always use a smooth spatula to turn the sandwiches on it. I use a ceramic skillet for this recipe and a tong to hold and turn the sandwiches easily without the fear of scratching the surface of the skillet. 
• I usually use two skillets to prepare the sandwiches, I keep the heat on medium or medium low to easily manage my time.
• You can choose any Bread of your choice like Oatmeal or Multi Grains although this tastes great with White bread.
• You can serve it as a snack with a cup of hot Tea.
• You may choose any cheese you like. I have prepared this with the 5 Cheese mix and Medium Cheddar and it tastes great with both.
• I always boil the potatoes in my pressure cooker. Two whistles on medium heat and they are perfectly boiled and ready for the next step.

Got a Panini Press? Use it! Debarshi got me this a year back and making sandwiches in this Griddle Gourmet by Cuisinart is so easy and fun!

Recommended Reading:

• Dhania Chutney
• Masala Oatmeal (Oatmeal with Indian spices)
• Pancakes
• Excited to use new spices? Know more about Hing (Asafoetida)
• Egg in a Hole – Add Fun to Your Breakfast
• Grilled Cheese
• Debarshi’s Patty Melt
• Yummy Homemade Cheeseburgers
• Masala Alu (Spiced Potatoes)
• Scrambled Eggs with Spinach
• Vegetarian Poha Style Chow Mein/ Pasta