Cucumber Sandwich Recipe – Yummy Recipes

Sandwiches are the most versatile food I have ever known. It is the simplicity of the concept that allures me the most. It’s just 2 or 3 slices of bread topped one upon the other, packing all the sinful goodness of delectable ingredients in between. You can select the type of bread you want. You can choose the bread-spread of your choice, butter, cheese, jam, chocolate or peanut butter. You can play around with the seasoning. Depending upon the type of sandwich, whether sweet or savory, you can pick the veggies or fruits of your liking. It is just so simple!

Recently, I have been so hooked on to the sandwiches. I make a new variety every week. I have already posted 4 recipes, listed below.

I just came back home a few hours ago from jogging and I was hungry as hell. To my disappointment, there was nothing much in the refrigerator; just a bag full of cucumbers and cheese. I dug deeper into the kitchen cabinet and found some bread. It was the pav or bun that we have with pav bhaji.

I had recently read about cucumber sandwiches. They are a popular sandwich in the US and some European countries. When I first heard about the cucumber sandwich, my first response was…eew.. But today I had no other option. My first concern was the blandness of the authentic cucumber sandwich. I am an Indian, I like my food zesty. So I racked my brains a little and voila! My hands started peeling and chopping the cucumber. I then prepared my usual sandwich masala and grated the cheese. I used mozzarella and cheddar fifty-fifty. The cucumber slices need to be really thin.

For the purpose of measurement, 1 cup = 250 ml. This recipe is for 4 sandwiches. Now let us see how I made this delicious sandwich with clean flavors without going overboard.

Ingredients

Bread slices – 8. If using pav, then you will need 4 pavs
Cucumbers – 2 large
Chaat masala – 2 tsp or to taste
Red chili powder – 1 tsp or to taste
Salt – to taste
Mozzarella cheese – 1/2 cup
Cheddar cheese – 1/2 cup

How to Make Cucumber Sandwiches

Grate the cheddar and mozzarella cheese together in a bowl. Toss them around a bit, so the shreds of both the cheese are evenly combined together.

Cut the cucumber into thin slices. Use freshly sliced cucumber only.

If using pav, splice it open neatly from the center to form two slices. Preheat the tawa / griddle.

We do not need butter. But if you wish, you can butter the breads/pavs. Add a layer of mozzarella and cheddar on the bread slice. Place 6 to 7 cucumber slices over the bed of cheese. Sprinkle the chat masala, salt and red chili powder to taste. Be careful with the seasoning, because we do not add all the seasoning to the sandwich at once.

Now spread the second layer of cheddar and mozzarella. Place the second layer of thin cucumber slices. Season the slices with salt and spices.

Spread the third layer of cheddar and mozzarella. Pack the sandwich with a bread / pav slice.

Place the sandwich on the tawa / griddle and toast the sandwich on both the sides on low heat, so that they get really crispy on the outside. This may take a good 4-5 minutes. The cheese needs to melt. The cucumber needs to get warm, so that it will release some juices that will make the sandwich really moist on the inside. I do not mean soggy, I mean moist. You can use a griller or sandwich maker to toast the sandwich.

Cucumber sandwich is ready to be served. I did not need anything on the side. You can have it with ketchup or mint chutney, if you desire.

When you cut the sandwich, you will hear the sound of the crust. When you bite into it, it is warm, cheesy, gooey and fresh and zesty. It is simple to make and needs only humble ingredients. So what are you waiting for? Rush into your kitchen and make this western delight with a desi twist and enjoy it with your family and friends.