Alu Sandwich with a Cheesy Twist

Even though sandwiches originated in the West, the Alu (potato) sandwich is a truly Indian variation. Potatoes are cooked with Indian spices and stuffed in bread layered with chutneys – a perfect example of fusion food. An all-time favorite with both kids and grown-ups, Alu sandwich is easy to prepare, delicious and ready in no time. The best thing about this sandwich is that you can prepare the potato stuffing ahead of time. Relish it as a weekday breakfast or a weekend tea-time snack with different chutneys and ketchup!

Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes
• 1-2 green chillies, slit lengthwise
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Handful of chopped coriander
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• Salt as required
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Tomato ketchup/Green Chutney

Method

1. Boil the potatoes until soft using a pressure cooker or microwave. To boil in the microwave, just cover the potatoes with water in a deep bowl and microwave for 8-10 minutes.
2. Remove the potatoes from water. When they have cooled down, peel and mash them.
3. Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a pan. When hot, add the cumin seeds.
4. Once the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped green chillies and onions.
5. Saute until the onion turn translucent, you don’t need to brown them.
6. Add potatoes and salt, mix well.
7. Cook on a medium heat until there is no moisture left and potatoes are slightly browned. Add the chopped coriander leaves.
8. To assemble the sandwich, spread a thin layer of tomato ketchup or green chutney on a slice of bread. Personally I prefer to add both 🙂
9. On another slice of bread, spread the potato mixture and top it with some shredded mozzarella cheese.
10. Cover it with the slice having ketchup.
11. Grill it until the bread is crisp and golden.

Serve the sandwiches hot while the cheese is gooey and dripping, taste great with a nice cup of tea!

Notes

You can use the electric sandwich press or grill to cook these sandwiches. If you are using tawa/griddle/frying pan, apply some oil on the sandwich for even cooking. If you have a good old gas sandwich maker like the one shown below, go ahead and use it, your sandwiches will have a slight smoky flavour. Just posting this picture of a gas sandwich maker here as our next generation will most likely never see it!