Street Food Mumbai - Vegetable Sandwich

Oh yes the ubiquitous vegetable sandwich. I am sure all Bombayites (aka Mumbaiites) have had this at some time or another in Mumbai. There is no escape :). Everyone had a favourite sandwich - wala... a sandwich vendor. He knew just how you liked your sandwich and that's how he made itfor you...spice level, crusts off/on, fillings...it was all perfect!

Well there are no sandwich carts here - not in California or in Toronto - so I just make my own and yes I set up my stall just like my sandwich vendor outside Ruia college in Matunga ....


Sliced White bread- YES white bread- but please do not get Wonder Bread- it falls apart. Actually sourdough works very well.

Softened butter
salt
'chaat' masala (optional)
pepper

For the chutney
2 cups of coriander leaves cleaned and washed.
3 cups of baby spinach leaves. (yes- this is not a mistake)
10-12 green chillies (depending on your spice tolerance level)
3-4 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp jeera (cumin) powder
salt
1/2 tsp sugar
lemon juice

Blend the chutney very fine- using very little water or no water if you are using a Magic Bullet.
Taste for salt level and add lemon juice.

For the Filling- everything should be cut into thin slices

English cucumber
beefsteak tomatoes
yukon gold or white potatoes - boiled and peeled
red onion
Beets - boiled and peeled

What vegetables you use in the sandwich are totally dependent on your taste- some people even like raw beetroot instead of boiled. Some (like me) do not like raw onion in this sandwich. But - you can customize it as per taste.

To Assemble

Liberally butter 2 slices of bread (Crust on/off if your choice)
Spread the chutney on both sides - more for a higher spice level and less for the weaker palate(!)
layer up your fillings- cucumber slices, tomato slices- potato slices. ....
Sprinkle salt and pepper on the veggies- chaat masala if you like.

Some Nescafe or Masala Chai - and you are back in Bombay :)

Dips and Chips - Hummus

Hummus is now available everywhere and in multiple flavours. But I saw it for a first time when we were in Saudi. We all loved it - and it has no cooking required- so of course it's great!
My neighbour was from Syria - she taught me this way to make hummus and I have stuck to the recipe for 20 years now.


One can of Garbanzo beans.
4-5 garlic cloves
salt
1 1/2 TBS tahini (seasame paste)
Juice of 2 lemons
Olive oil
1 TBS curly parsley chopped fine


Wash and drain the beans. Add the beans, garlic cloves and tahini to a blender. Add the juice of one and half of the lemons and blend. If needed add in really little water. Blend to a smooth puree.

Taste it for salt (remember the beans have salt- that's why we wait to add the salt)
Taste it for tang- you should get a bite of the lemon juice- add more if needed.

To serve - put the hummus in a shallow bowl- run your spoon on top to make depressions on the surface and pour some really good olive oil on top. Sprinkle chopped parsley. Serve with warm pita bread.


PS If you do not have tahini - just add white sesame seeds ( tahini is simple sesame paste)