Bombay Sandwich

Bombay Sandwich – Mouth-watering version of Indian Veggie Sandwich!

Soft White bread slices, with spicy green chutney spread, layered with slices of tomato, cucumber, onion and potato (extremely important) and topped with lots of grated cheese! 

I am not sure why it is called Bombay Sandwich but I am guessing, maybe because it started as cheap staple food of travelling Mubaikers, kids returning home from school or a quick grab for people travelling Bombay Locals (Mumbai subway systems). It must have got famous as its inexpensive, easy to make, and healthier option as compared to Wada Paav.   

You can get this in many places in Mumbai, Pune and lots of other cities in India. You can eat them in any neighborhood restaurant, stall owners sell them on every corner of the street, on railway stations and fancily packaged at airports :) 

You can add your own variations to Bombay Sandwich like adding few more veggies, toasting them, making different fillings and you will get these variations on streets on Mumbai!

My favorite places in Pune to have Bombay sandwich (sounds funny – Bombay sandwich in Pune… but yes its true) the one in Raviwar Peth, guy who sells it in Seven Loves Chauk they make the best basic Bombay Sandwiches! 

Ingredients:

• White Bread – 3 Slices
• Butter
• Mint-Coriander Chutney: 1/2 cup
• Large potatoes: 2 Boiled, peeled and sliced thick
• Cucumber: 1 sliced thin
• Tomato: 2 sliced thin
• Onion: 1 sliced very thin (optional)
• Fresh ground pepper
• Salt
• Cheese – grated (optional)
• Tomato Ketchup

Procedure:

1. Lay all the slices of bread on a cutting board and butter well.
2. Now spread a generous quantity of Mint-Coriander Chutney on each slice to cover entire slice.
3. Layer all the above veggies in desired quatities and combinations. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cover with the top slice.
5. You can trim edges. I like to leave them on.
6. This sandwich tastes equally good toasted or not.
7. Cut in half and garnish generously with grated cheese.
8. Serve with tomato ketchup

Bhel Puri

This is a famous Chaat from the streets of Mumbai and Pune. You can find carts / shops selling it around every corner. It’s a mouth watering mix of puffed rice with some Indian snack mix and flavored with fresh mint, sweet & tangy tamarind sauce.
This is a very healthy option for an evening snack or can be served as a starter with your dinner.

Ingredients
Tamarind-date chutney (sauce): ¼ Cup
Mint – Cilantro chutney (sauce): ¼ Cup
Farsaan / Panjabi Mix/ Bombay Mix: ½ Cup
Fine sev: for garnishing
Salted peanuts (optional): for garnishing
Puffed rice / Kurmura: ½ Cup
Onion - Finely Chopped: ½ Cup
Tomato – Chopped: ½ Cup
Cilantro / Coriander: finely chopped
Raw mango – chopped (optional): for garnishing
Sprouts (optional): ¼ Cup
Chaat Masala: 1 Tea Spoon

Procedure:
1. Mix puffed rice / kurmura with farsaan in a bowl.
2. Add ¼ cup of each Onion and Tomato to this. And Stir.
3. Mix Mint Cilantro chutney, Tamarind-date chutney. Add 2 pinches of Chaat Masala to it. If you like it spicy add green chili paste to this.
4. Add sprouts if you like.
5. Serve this into plates.
6. Garnish with Fine Sev, Onions, Tomato, Cilantro, Raw Mango, Salted peanuts.
7. Serve immediately before it gets soggy.