BOMBAY MASALA CHILE CHEESE TOASTIES

Bombay Masala Chile Cheese Toasties image

Melty, cheesy, crunchy, spicy: These sandwiches, a street food favorite in India, check all the boxes.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 27

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Ingredients

1 Granny Smith apple, cored, cut into large pieces
Juice of 1 lime
1 (1") piece ginger, peeled
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 cup cilantro leaves with tender stems
¼ cup mint leaves
⅛ tsp. (or more) sugar
Kosher salt
1-2 green Indian, Thai, or serrano chiles
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil or ghee
1 tsp. black mustard seeds
4 fresh curry leaves
1 tsp. cumin seeds
¼ tsp. ground coriander
¼ tsp. ground turmeric
A pinch of asafetida (optional)
1-2 green Indian, Thai, or serrano chiles, thinly sliced
1 large cooked russet potato, peeled
¼ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chaat or sandwich masala (such as Spicewalla Chaat Masala or MDH Chunky Chat Masala)
8 (½"-thick) slices Pullman or other soft sandwich bread
1 small red onion, finely chopped
½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper or seeded plum tomatoes
8 oz. Monterey Jack or Emmenthal cheese, sliced, or 8 slices white American cheese
Room-temperature ghee or unsalted butter (for sandwiches)
Ketchup (for serving)

Steps:

PreparationHari chutney: Purée apple, lime juice, ginger, garlic, cilantro, mint, sugar, a pinch of salt, and 1-2 chiles, depending on how spicy your chiles are and your heat preference, in a blender, scraping down sides and adding water by the tablespoonful, until a smooth paste forms. Taste and season with more salt or sugar if needed. (You should have about 1 cup, which is more than you'll need for the sandwiches. Color will fade as it sits.) Do ahead: Chutney can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill. Filling and assembly: Heat oil in a medium cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium. Add mustard seeds and cook until popping, about 30 seconds. Add curry leaves and cumin seeds. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until slightly darkened in color, about 1 minute. Stir in coriander, turmeric, asafetida (if using), and 1-2 chiles. Crumble potato into pan in large pieces and add salt. Cook, coarsely mashing and tossing potatoes to coat, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Fold in cilantro and chaat masala. Transfer filling to a bowl. Wipe out pan and reserve. Arrange 4 slices of bread on a cutting board. Spread some chutney over each slice. Divide filling among slices and top with red onion, green pepper, then cheese. Spread 1 side of remaining 4 bread slices with more chutney and close up sandwiches. Spread ghee over outside of top slices of bread. Heat reserved pan over medium. Working in batches if needed, melt a small knob of ghee in pan, then arrange sandwiches, buttered side up, in pan. Cook until golden brown underneath, about 4 minutes. Turn over and cook, pressing down occasionally with the back of a spatula or the bottom of a saucepan, until cheese is melted and other side is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve toasties with extra chutney and ketchup alongside. Chef's note: Sandwiches can be made in a panini or sandwich press as well, or ideally a toastie maker.