Growing up in Bombay (now known as Mumbai - a Western coastal city of India), one of the more popular street foods was Bombay Sandwich. Layers of fresh veggies and steamed potatoes slathered with all kinds of tangy, spicy and sweet chutneys and condiments. Today, I share a basic version of this much-loved sandwich that is bout to be a crowd-pleaser!
Yesterday I made this chutney. Today I want to show you my most favourite way of using this chutney. In a sandwich. I call it Bombay sandwich. The idea for this sandwich came after I saw a picture of a Cubano (national sandwich of Cuba) burgeoning with delicious fillings spilling off the page of an old Gourmet Traveller magazine. It got me thinking about the place I grew up in which was called Bombay back then and what would embody its flavours in a sandwich.
I then remembered stepping into a fancy restaurant in Bombay when Nick and I were just students almost two decades ago. We had spent most of the money we had earned that week doing projects on books (yes cookbooks!) and movie CDs & Cassettes (gosh I feel old). A cursory scan through the menu told us that we had enough left over for just two coffees and a glorified sandwich. So we ordered, chuckling and marvelling at the fact that we were so broke yet so deliriously happy (do you remember feeling that way?)
The fact that I remember the sandwich even to this day makes up for how expensive it was. This restaurant was next to the long stretch of sea called Marine Drive. You could smell the salt in the air as the sea breeze blew that cold wet afternoon. The sandwich that was toasted to perfection and held together delicately by long toothpicks had fresh veggies, a gorgeous spread and grilled cheese. It was an upscale version of the street food we were so addicted to. It was beautiful and condensed all the flavours of Bombay in one very flavourful bite.
Over the years, I have made this sandwich countless times but more recently I have chanced upon a healthier, fresher version. It is this version that is layered with veggies, greens, herbs, sprouts and sauces that I share with you today.
Hungry For More Recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter. Check out Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see everything I share! And if you love cooking and new cookbooks, join my free Cooking Club on Facebook!
BOMBAY SANDWICH
Ingredients
- 4 slices of grain bread
- butter to spread
- 6 tablespoons of coriander chutney
- a big drizzle of your favourite red sauce, I used Sriracha
- 2 small cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 small potatoes, boiled peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mixed sprouted beans
- 1/2 cup micro herbs, I used home grown mustard greens
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Lay two slices of bread on a cutting board. Spread both slices thinly with butter. Arrange slices of one whole cucumber on one of the slices. Top that with slices of one whole tomato. Drop generous dollops of the coriander chutney on the tomato slices. Top with slices of one whole potato. Drizzle red sauce generously. Sprinkle pepper. Top with half the amount of sprouted beans. Finally top with micro herbs. Cover with the buttered bread slice and serve.
- Repeat for the second sandwich.
I was looking for a recipe to discuss in my German class and stumbled on this simple but amazing recipe. Reminds me of our college days. Maybe adding a bit of pomegranate seeds will add a bit of sweetness that will contrast well with the chutney.
Brings back memories!! I have eaten countless 'Bombay sandwiches' but alas, not for the past five years, at least. Must remember to have one from the many sandwichwallas when I go next. Your version is quite posh and very healthy - and it looks scrummy!!!
Such a beautiful looking sandwich, Sneh. I want to sink my teeth into this right now!
All the more hooked to your site Sneh.. love every picture and word you posted..
somehow I have never made this Sandwich myself.. that said, this wekend, it will be on the menu def..
The sandwich looks amazing. Love the variety of fillings and the thought put into how it's layered.
Looks gorgeous! It's midnight here but it can't stop me from going to my kitchen to make something similar to your yum-yum 🙂
I'd go all the way to Bombay for this 🙂
gorgeous photos!
What a delicious and fresh sandwich!
Great pictures and fabulous green chutney. Those were the times eh...when we had no cares
i know the feeling off happynez.
yesterday i get a pictjer from my daughter and her 3 months old son and
the little boy had a big smile on his little face,
that is happynez for me
gerie
A delicious sandwich! What wonderful flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa
I like the fact that you have added sprouts there! All the more healthy! 🙂
I'm coming to live w you!
The good old vegetable sandwich found ubiquitously on the streets of Bombay! My favourite one was the veg and cheese toastie at Worli seaface. Now this sandwich will always bring with it the scent of sea spray for me. I love it. Such a lovely post and beautiful photos!.
What fun to make and eat!! Shall certainly copy! And am kind'of amused that the humble potato is the bit which in the end will fill you up and keep you satisfied 🙂 !
What a beautiful sandwich and more importantly, what a beautiful story to go with it!
Yesterday after reading your chutney I was planning to spread it on pizza for friday night dinner but this sandwich sound so much better! I have been to Bombay a couple of times but only for work. I am yet to see the place in real.
Looks wonderful - and how fantastic that you can so easily create such a wonderful food memory.
Thank you for the whopper wholesome goodness sambo recipe - it sure looks delicious and if I had any coriander in my fridge - I would make the chutney to go with it now!!!
Thank you for your inspirational recipes - they all rock!
Any chance you might have any that is specifically gluten free using millet?
Thanks again!
Sarah
Thanks Sarah. Not yet, but I am working on it. Cheers!