True confession. I know next to nothing about Indian food preparation. I’m not an expert about the best dishes to eat from the wealth of Indian foods that are available. My experience is pretty limited to enjoying dishes I could not properly pronounce if you asked me to. All that being said though I love Indian food! I typically visit just one restaurant close to my home in Greenwood Village, India’s Castle, most often enjoying dishes from their lunch buffet. Please do not ask me what those are. All I know is that they are good!
I’ve decided it’s time to change and so far change has been good! In an unplanned moment of really just wanting to wish my friend Prerna (Indian Simmers) the best when she announced that she would be writing a cookbook on Indian food, it seemed that within moments she, Kathy Gori (The Colors of Indian Cooking) and I were on Skype planning this event. Using their wealth of resources and assistance, why not do something to encourage and assist others who love foods from this culture but are much like me…a bit overwhelmed at what that would take. The dishes I enjoy so much when I go to an Indian restaurant seem so different from what I’m used to preparing that the whole notion would seem to include a massive amount of shopping and preparation to get something done.
I won’t deny that there will most likely be some shopping involved…but when Prerna provided me with a suggestion for a recipe to make, there was nothing in the list of spices I needed that I didn’t already have in my cabinet. Ingredients included bread, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber and onion? I can do THAT! And I did…well, with some big hand holding from Ansh (Spice Roots), a local Indian Food blogger who was also kind enough to bring over some of her Cilantro Mint Chutney for the sandwich. See that pretty green layer under the cucumber? Yes, that. That is, ‘Oh my that is HOT’ chutney.’ Wow. It truly was perfect on the sandwich but I probably should not have tried that stuff straight; just thinking about it now takes my breath away!
We want to encourage our readers to join us for a month of cooking Indian dishes. Whether you are experienced with cooking Indian cuisine or a novice like me, we encourage you to try something this month and let us know about it. Join us on Twitter too! Follow @creativculinary, @indiansimmer and @kathygori for updates and be sure to include the #IndianFoodPalooza hashtag when you tweet your post so that we can see what everyone is doing.
We’ve compiled a list of resources for you too; these bloggers and authors might be an inspiration for your own adventure!
Our suggested reference list for you:
- KO Rasoi by Sanjana
- Chef In You
- eCurry by Soma Rathore
- Journey Kitchen by Kulsum
- Cook In a Curry by Maunika Gowardhan
- Tongue Ticklers by Harini Prakash
- Lite Bite by Sanjeeta
- Veggie Belly by Sala Kanan
- Kothiyavunu which is a great source for Kerala recipes
- Sandhyas Kitchen
- Spice Roots
- Cookbooks by Suvir Saran and Madhur Jaffery
We’ve even gathered a couple of prizes to be awarded at the end of the month to a couple of lucky readers! To be eligible to win a prize you must:
- Post an Indian dish on your blog between March 1, 2012 and March 31, 2012.
- Link your dish up using the linking tool at the bottom of this post; link up as many dishes as you post in the month but there is only one entry per person that will be considered for the prize drawings. Entering your dish on any of our sites will have it display on all three.
- Put a link in your post to this post so that your readers can join us too!
- Prize winners will be chosen from participants using random.org for selection. Winners will be notified April 1, 2012 using the email included on the link created. Winners will have until April 4, 2012 to respond with shipping information or another winner will be chosen.
Please note: We want to encourage everyone to join us and share their experience but our sponsors are shipping prizes directly and have requested that we limit the shipping area to the Continental USA.
Prizes to be awarded include:
- 2.2 lbs of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions for one of my readers that link up a recipe (We have three separate prizes from this company; each of us will be awarding something unique.)
- Set of Indian Spices from My Spice Sage. Ten (4 oz) resealable bags. See website for full product information.
- J.K. Adams artisan maple cutting board from moi…I used to have a wine accessory and gift store and still have some great gift items so one lucky winner will get one of these great bread boards!
My own virgin experience was almost too easy; now I’ve got to jump in a little deeper the next time. I can’t deny some curry will be involved; come join me!
Ingredients
- 2 medium sized potatoes (boiled)
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped green chili peppers
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt
- Green hot cilantro chutney (you can also buy it at any Indian store in case you do not want to make it at home)
- White or Wheat Bread slices (I just used what I normally have on hand which is was an oat nut bread)
- Slices of cucumber, onion, tomato
- Butter
Preparation
- Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds. Once they pop add onion. Cook it until they turn slightly golden.
- Add turmeric, chopped chili peppers, coriander powder and salt. Mix and quickly add boiled mashed potatoes otherwise masala will start burning.
- Mix everything well together. Set aside. Do not need to cook it.
- Take a slice of bread, put potato filling as much as you want. I normally put a thin later covering the whole surface.
- In the second slice put a thin layer of cilantro chutney. Place it over the slice with potato filling (surface with chutney should be facing outside and not towards the potato.
- Now over that chutney layer put slices of onion, cucumber and tomato. Sprinkle cheese on top of veggies if using. Place another slice on top covering the tomato, onion and cheese layer.
- Brush some butter on both the exposed sides of the sandwich. Grill or pan fry until browned. Press the sandwich with a spatula to flatten the layers together.
- Cut the sandwich into two triangle and serve with hot sauce or some sweet mango chutney.
Notes
I had leftover potatoes that had been seasoned with some butter, cream, salt and pepper but the recipe does not call for that; they were so good though that I would probably do it that way again.
Note: All submissions are subject to our review and we do ask that all submissions to this event be blog posts that are completed in the month of March, 2012.
The Winners:
Thanks so much to everyone who participated! The winners are:
Madhur Recipe’s – Mixed Vegetable Curry in Coconut Milk Sauce- Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour
Kitchen Kemistry- Tangdi Kabab- Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes
Spices And Aroma- Omelet Kozhambhu- Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil
Sunshine And Smile- Khandvi- Set of Indian Spices from My Spice Sage.
50 Recipes in 2012- Stuffed Eggplant- J.K. Adams artisan maple cutting board from Creative Culinary.


















{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for recps
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for declaring the winners of Indianfoodpalooza. I’m a newbie blogger and this is my first time to win anything via food blogs. It was fun participating in this event. My husband started complaining that I cook for participating in Indianfoodpalooza cos after preparing something I would make it wait till it was photographed and link it to your event site. Once again thanks to you, kathy and prerna for hosting this fun event. Congratulations to all the winners and better luck next time for all the participants. All the submitted recipes were amazing :) Happy Blogging folks!
Cheryl @ Kitchenkemistry
Thank you Cheryl, it was fun to see all of the different foods that people made and I’m inspired to continue the journey. That Mumbai sandwich was so easy and so good…now onward to Tikka Masala!
Hi Barb! I just posted my entry! I just wanted to let you know, that you guys have inspired me to start up my Indian Food Blog again! Thanks for hosting the #IndianFoodPalooza! Cheers! ~Katherine (“Bombay Blonde”)
PS- Your sandwich looks delish!
Bombay Blonde Most Recent Post: Indian Food Palooza: Chaat Masala Popcorn
You have made our day you know…so a huge congrats to YOU. That sandwich? Totally unknown to me and I LOVED it. So many things to try, so little time!
Thanks Barb! I saw this post just as I had cooked my own Indian Food Palooza, starting with Naan. I just added a link to my post to your linky thing. Great event!! :)
Hanaa Most Recent Post: Indian Food Palooza
Thanks so much for participating Hanna; it’s been fun to see what everyone has made and given me lots of inspiration.
This recipe is such a hit among my friends from Mumbai. Such a great snack! Love it!
Here’s my adaptation of the classic :)
http://turmerickitchen.blogspot.com/2012/03/one-perfect-brunch-grilled-veggie.html
Jagruti Most Recent Post: One perfect brunch – Grilled Veggie Cheese Sandwich
What a great idea Barb! I am definitely going to join in on this one and try and push myself to try a new cuisine each month. Your sandwich looks yummy!
Jill Mant~a SaucyCook Most Recent Post: Meatball, Beet & Blue Cheese Salad w Yogurt Red Wine Reduction
I hope you do Jill…and if you don’t make this? July is Goaterie when we concentrate on all things goat. Meat, cheese and milk!
Congratulations! You are inspiring! We too love Indian food but rarely make it at home. I think you may have inspired us to try. What a fabulous idea.
I hope you join us Lael; it’s a bit of a challenge but the results are so worth it!
Awesome Barb, your Mumbai sandwich looks amazing and I’m going to give yummy your recipe a try! I’ll be posting my recipe soon!
Sara Most Recent Post: Confetti Salad – A Medley of Sweet Roasted Peppers & Carrots with Orange & Marcona Almonds
Thank you Sara; I so enjoyed it. I don’t recall ever putting mashed potatoes on a sandwich before ever but I loved it!
Having confessed that you’re not accustomed to preparing Indian food, I must say that you’ve done a great job making one of the street foods I grew up eating. This brings back memories of my school days. The sandwich is bursting with colors and looks appeasing….sure it tastes great as well. I’m a hungry person now :)
Thanks Cheryl; I could not have done it without help. Prerna with Indian Simmer gave me the recipe knowing it was easy and my local friend Ansh came to help bring her already prepared chutney. Of course the sandwich was easy…but maybe that’s the whole point; we assume something is much harder than it really is because we’ve never done it before? Now I’m ready for more!
Not sure how reliable this recipe is – the description in the method does not match your photograph. According the preparation, you use 3 slices of bread (1 each in steps 4, 5 and 6) but your photograph only shows 2 slices.
It’s there. If you look at the photo on the cutting board, there is one slice with potatoes that goes on the bottom, followed by the slice with veggies and the both are topped off by a third slice. The potato layer is thin and we did press the layers together as we were cooking them but there most certainly are three!
Looks awesome Barb!!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet Most Recent Post: Malabar Chicken Curry with Homemade Garam Masala
Thanks…I’ll trade one for some of your curry. Deal?
How I want that sandwich right at this moment for lunch! Wow…look at that filling. And that chutney must be amazing. I love Indian food…I need to experiment more with new recipes. I really look forward the Indian Festival they have here at the beginning of the year. So many healthy vegetarian dishes with a good kick;)
Lora ~ cakeduchess Most Recent Post: Coconut and Almond Cake {Torta di Cocco e Mandorle}
Exactly why we’re doing this…I think most of us think it sounds daunting but I have a feeling the most daunting part of the task is getting the ingredients!
This is going to be fun. I’m in! You’re providing some motivation for featured ingredients. And, I can’t wait to try this sandwich – never heard of it but I like the mashed potato and chutney sandwich style rather than in traditional samosa.
Andrea @ Fork Fingers Chopsticks Most Recent Post: Kale: Caldo Verde – Portuguese “Green” Soup
It was fabulouso! What would you think of all of us getting together to cook a couple of dishes that we would each post. Obviously then having dinner together. My home will smell like India!
I am so glad you guys started this event. Even as an Indian I know very less about Indian cuisines. It would be a great opportunity to learn some new dishes. This sandwich sounds delicious!
Kankana Most Recent Post: Khandvi (A healthy finger food from India) – Guest Post for Tamara @ Bite My Cake
Well we need you to participate too! Great learning experience for all of us I think, right?
Oh, that looks delicious! Another case where I wish I could stand the taste of cilantro.
Well, I can tell you that it wasn’t discernible but that’s like telling me I won’t taste green bell pepper in dishes. I would suggest you make a substitute…maybe even parsley? Or do a search for Indian chutney and see if you find one more to your liking? It’s worth it.
Funny, I did make an Indian dish, before I even saw this. If I have time, i will link it up! Your sandwich looks great, Barb.
Carolyn Most Recent Post: Chicken Tikka Masala (Low Carb)
Now that was easy…of course you must! I think the biggest learning experience for me was in making this simple veggie sandwich; it’s nothing I would have EVER imagined as Indian cuisine!
Wow those sandwiches are so inviting..Lovely to know the interest in learning Indian Cuisine, looking forward to see the recipes that come out for this event!..
Srivalli Most Recent Post: Chicken Pakora | How to make Chicken Pakora | Step by Step Recipe
Well I sure hope you join us!
How fun! I don’t know anything either, but really need to learn:-) I am looking forward to enjoying all your delicious recipes, especially this sandwich, love it! :-) Hugs, Terra
Terra Most Recent Post: GreensLove – Kale Chips, Roasted Garlic, Parmesan Swirl Egg Bread
You should join us Terra…I know nothing either! At least now we have some resources and people ready to help if need be. Some dishes are actually much easier than we imagine…maybe removing that stumbling block of thinking they are all complicated and impossible to make is the first step.
This is awesome! My husband is obsessed (seriously OBSESSED) with chicken makhani, gajar ka halwa and tomato chutney – this is the little push I need to finally try my hand at making these dishes at home. I just told him so now I can’t procrastinate any longer – this is gonna happen. Aaaaaand…he just asked for naan, too. Your sandwich looks delicious, BTW – I’m always excited to find great vegetarian sandwiches.
Glad for you and your husband to give you a gentle nudge to ‘just do it.’ I seriously loved this sandwich too.
I did it! Woohoo! I was kinda intimidated by all the spices/ingredients, but it turned out great, I’m so glad I got this little nudge to actually make chicken tikka masala.
I feel like a proud mom…truth is I’m now dying to make this dish…see what you did!
Love to be a part of this wonderful event, and thanks for the mention Barb! Your sandwich looks very much Indian..my staple weekend breakfast menu.
Sanjeeta kk Most Recent Post: Rice Recipes | Two Easy, Aromatic & Healthy vegetable Pilaf with Flax Seeds
Well coming from a pro I take that as high praise Sanjeeta; thank you so much…and can’t wait to see what you do.
looks awesome ………….love the casual look of the sandwich !! love it
turmeric n spice Most Recent Post: Vegetable balls in curry – Kofta
Thank you…music to the ears of this Indian food novice!
Yummy! That’s what I’d call delicious! I just got hungry after looking at your photos… Thanks for posting the recipe as well, I think I’m going to give this a try at the weekend!
Julie Most Recent Post: cheap dental implants
Yeah!! The one thing I did do different as I probably mentioned was to use seasoned mashed potatoes. Those potatoes mixed with the spices and onion were soooo good; I made a couple of potato pancakes for breakfast the next morning. Maybe not traditional but I’ll be adding a bit of milk and butter to mine ongoing I liked them so much.
Sounds like fun, I love Indian food but don’t cook it often. I’ll have to buckle down and give it a go.
Rhonda Most Recent Post: Motorcycle Monday-Anniversary Run
OK, now I’ve got a commitment right? :) Start with something simple…best way to build confidence. Now I’m ready to tackle something a bit more complicated.
Awesome looking sandwich, Barb! Love the sound of the hot cilantro chutney!
Winnie Most Recent Post: Jeera Aloo (Indian Spiced Potatoes)
Let me tell you Winnie, it was hot, hot, hot. When I do it again, I will most likely cut back on those Thai chiles just a bit. It was great in the sandwich but I did not do any dipping on the side. trust me. :)
Great idea to be doing this!Canlt wait to see some amazing recipes here :)Love your Mumbai Sandwich.The spices and green chutney adds so much flavor to the sandwich.Yumm!
Soni Most Recent Post: Spinach, Artichoke and Mozzarella Kofta Curry-Greens Bloghop
Of course I hope you will join us! I worried everything would be too difficult for me and those like me; but I’ve already seen some great dishes I can do without having to import a billion spices. Very excited about learning something new!
Great start to a very colorful and aromatic #IndianFoodPalooza. I love the pictures turned out. You are so talented, Barb. I feel blessed to know you.
Ansh Most Recent Post: Paneer Tikka – Hariyali (Pan fried )
It is a mutual admiration society! Wouldn’t it be fun to do this again with those interested in making a couple of dishes?
Wow, we must be on the same wavelength! I love Indian food as well and am in the same boat – given the sheer breadth of the cuisine I sometimes feel overwhelmed! A couple of weeks ago, the FBLA group did a food tour of Little India – it was amazing and the food was soooo good!!
Those chutneys can definitely be spicy – but with the other flavors in this sandwich I bet it rocks!! Will definitely have to give this one a whirl!!
Nancy@acommunaltable Most Recent Post: Pixie Tangerine Tour
This was such a pleasant surprise and yes, in the sandwich the chutney was great. My pal is used to HOT HOT; if making my own I’ll tone it down a bit. Fire is still coming from my nostrils. :)
Nice :) I don’t really know much about Indian food ~ this mumbai sandwich looks great ~ Thanks for sharing!
Daisy@Nevertoosweet Most Recent Post: Keeping Warm – Ah Kuan Hot Pot
I don’t either Daisy…guess that’s why I’m a part of this, hoping that together we can try it and help each other out during the process.
I’m in! I’ve been wanting to try tandoori chicken!
Lacy Most Recent Post: Update on Laughing Lemon Pie
I just love tandoori chicken…now I’ll wait for your recipe and give something else a shot!
I am a fan of sandwiches,and these Bombay/Mumbai sandwiches are no exception!The only thing between me and the sandwich right now,is this laptop screen,hehe.
Beautiful pictures,looks delicious!:-)
This certainly helped to demystify my first foray into Indian food preparation. Granted, I know it’s a simple sandwich but that’s just it; it was simple and oh so good. Perfect!
Wondering how much water you downed after eating that sandwich (which does look very good by the way). Have fun with this Indian Food Palooza and best wishes to Prerna on her book. This is such a lovely way to support her.
Paula Most Recent Post: No More Bullies
Well, afraid that water would not work, I made some margaritas. :)
Will you join us Paula? Hoping I’m not the only one ready to stretch her wings a bit. I’ll never be on the scope of my co-conspirators but I’m excited to venture forth enough to try something every now and then.
I’m really looking forward to this Barbara! I’ve wanted to know more about Indian food for the longest time and here’s my chance. I’d love suggestions for easy beginner recipes for someone like me who really has no idea at all about this varied and complex cuisine.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Salisbury Steaks and Mashed Potatoes
I asked for something easy and I got it. Even though I didn’t make the cilantro chutney, I’ve heard that it’s also something you can purchase already prepared in Indian markets. I’ve found a Korean market, an Arash market and you can imagine…and Indian one is now on my list! Check out the resources including Kathy and Prerna’s sites; I already see things I want to make that are quite doable without having to break the bank on spices.
You know what an Indian food lover I am, so I am in. Hopefully I’ll be recovered from my trip just in time to get my post in under the wire. You and Ansh did a beautiful job! This sandwich looks amazing.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: IMUSA USA Digital Pressure Cooker Review and Giveaway and a Delicious Carne Guisada Recipe
I do! Maybe we could even make something together! Hope you have an amazing time on your trip. I’m excited for you and already know I’m going to miss you my friend. Cheers!
Scrumptious! What an appealing sandwich and awesome combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make this in my kitchen!
“Spice it Up”
Karriann Most Recent Post: Comment on All-Clad Stainless Steel Pans by Susan Wenzel
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