Mumbai Sandwich

www.panningtheglobe.com

Ingredients

  • 2 cup mint leaves (loosely packed)

  • 2 tbsp. green chilies (from a 4-ounce can, I prefer the spicy ones)

  • 1/2 half lemon juice

  • 1/4 1/4 inch piece ginger root (peeled and roughly chopped)

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper (freshly ground)

  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

  • 4 slices sourdough bread

  • 1 clove garlic (cut in half)

  • 1 butter

  • 1/2 half English cucumber (sliced into thin discs)

  • 6 cocktail tomatoes (thinly sliced)

  • 2 oz. sharp cheddar (grated)

  • 1/2 half red onion (thinly sliced)

Directions

  1. 1

    Place the chutney ingredients in a blender and pulse until fully combined.

  2. 2

    Combine all the spices in a small bowl, to make the masala mixture.

  3. 3

    Rub one side of each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic, lay the bread out on a work surface, garlic side up and spread each piece with a generous layer of chutney.

  4. 4

    Set aside half the bread (the tops of the sandwiches) and, to the bottom pieces add cucumbers in a single layer. Sprinkle with a few pinches of masala spice mix.

  5. 5

    Repeat with a layer of tomatoes, then spice mix, then cheese, then more spice mix, then the onions and a final sprinkling of spice mix.

  6. 6

    Top with the other slices of bread. Butter the tops if you wish, and grill the sandwiches in a panini maker or in a heavy pan such as a cast iron skillet, with a little butter, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp and golden brown.

  7. 7

    Serve the sandwiches warm and enjoy!