Unlike any other veggie burger, this Indian style version has big flavours both on the inside and the outside. The final result is a toasty wonder. The best bit is that you don’t even have to form the burgers into patties; just stuff and sandwich between buns and cook on a hot tawa.

What is an Indian tawa?

An Indian tawa is, for want of a better description, a flat-top griddle. It can be made from iron, steel or aluminium. This style of cookware has multiple uses in Indian cookery, from cooking flatbreads and dosa, to street-style specialities like Pau Bhaji, tawa pulao (rice), curries and this variety of Tawa Burger.

I personally have both cast iron and steel tawas and use them interchangeably depending on the dish I’m cooking. I prefer cast iron for dosas and steel for pau bhaji, burgers and rice.

Alternatives for a tawa

If you don’t have a tawa, you can use a non-stick frying pan instead. The ultimate goal is to create a golden, crispy exterior and a frying pan will do a similar job. I use a steel tawa here since the contact between the smooth metal and bun is close, thus producing a fantastic result.

Where to buy an Indian tawa

There are so many factors when it comes to choosing an Indian tawa that’s appropriate for your style of cooking. Here are some options you might find useful.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. These are all products I have purchased of my own accord and ones that I use myself. None of the products mentioned have been gifted to me. By using an affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no expense to you. This commission helps to support this blog. Thanks in advance if you choose to make a purchase through these links!

What kinds of beans are best for bean burgers?

I use a combination of black beans and borlotti beans in this veggie bean burger recipe. I like the bite of hearty black beans alongside the soft and creamy borlotti beans. This being said, you can use any beans you like or happen to have in the cupboard.

Pinto beans are a great substitute for borlotti beans, or you can use your favourite white beans like haricot beans, cannellini beans, butter beans, black eye beans or even chickpeas. The choice is yours. Either way, this recipe is a great source of plant-based protein.

How to make a vegan version of this veggie burger recipe

To make a vegan version of these vegetarian burgers, simply cook in oil instead of butter and replace the cheese with your favourite non-dairy cheese (or omit). Easy!

Are these Spicy Bean Tawa Burgers gluten free?

I’ve used regular wheat flour buns in the recipe below. If you’d like to make a gluten-free veggie burger, choose a gluten-free bun. The rest of the recipe is free from gluten.

Can I go bunless?

Absolutely. The beany masala binds together very well so if you’d like to skip the bread entirely, you can go ahead and form the mixture into patties. Cook them on the tawa in the same way for an ultra-flavoursome vegetarian burger patty without the carbs bread adds.

How to shape veggie burger patties

While this recipe doesn’t require you to shape the bean mixture into traditional patties, this is an option if you’d like to serve your bean burgers without the bun.

1. Portion the mixture into 6 equal balls.
2. Wet your hands with a small amount of water and gently squeeze the ball together so it’s nice and compact.
3. Gently press the mixture between your palms to flatten.
4. If the edges crack a little, gently press around the edges to stick the mixture back together.
5. Place the formed burger patties on a tray lined with baking parchment to stop them sticking.
6. Chill the veggie burgers in the fridge for an hour to firm up.

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Can I freeze homemade veggie burgers?

You can freeze formed veggie burger patties. Simply follow the steps above for shaping, freeze the patties on a lined tray and once frozen, stack with sheets of baking parchment between each burger. Wrap well in cling film and freeze in a freezer-safe container.

2 tips for veggie burgers without egg

The sole purpose of egg in veggie burgers is for binding. Add one or more of the following to a burger and you have excellent binding without the need for egg in the patty.

1. Beans. These little pulses are already full of natural starch and fibre. All you need to do is roughly mash them up for a texture that holds together perfectly.
2. Potatoes. A small amount of mashed potato, or even better, some dried mashed potato powder/flakes will give veggie burgers excellent binding. The bonus of this is that potatoes have little flavour so won’t dramatically alter the flavour of your veggie burgers.

Which spices go into this Spicy Bean Tawa Burgers recipe?

The dry spices in this veggie bean burger recipe include: cumin seeds, coriander seeds, smoked paprika, dried garlic powder, chilli flakes, turmeric and dried oregano.

This is a veggie burger…

• Without soy
• Without mushrooms
• Easy to make
• No meat substitutes
• Easily veganized
• Without nuts
• No eggs

How to make these vegetarian burgers on the BBQ

These are a great vegetarian barbecue option for everyone to enjoy! Simply place your tawa on the grill directly above hot coals. The smoke will rise from the sides, giving the meatless burgers an utterly delicious flavour.

What to serve with veggie burgers

These Indian tawa burgers are fantastic as they are, but also pair well with all the usual burger favourites: fries or crisps or wedges, salad, chutneys, etc. Here are some of my favourite dishes to serve with these Spicy Bean Tawa Burgers.

Tandoori Hasselback Potatoes

These beautiful Tandoori Hasselback Potatoes are super simple to prepare and taste amazing too. With hedgehog-like slits all across the surface, the skin becomes ultra-crispy and the inside remains soft and fluffy.

Check out this recipe

Tamarind & Date Chutney

Learn how to make sweet and sour tamarind and date chutney from scratch! No Indian chaat is complete without a drizzle of this mouth-puckering fruity chutney.

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Easy Mint & Coriander Chutney

Smooth and creamy Indian street-style chutney for drizzling over chaats, spreading in sandwiches and dipping bhajiyas. My recipe is super aromatic and medium hot in flavour. You can add as many chillies as you like. If you prefer a milder chutney, feel free to stir in some natural yoghurt or dairy-free yoghurt.

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Other styles of Indian street food ‘burgers’

While strictly not traditional burgers, India has its’ fair share of burger-style dishes. Indeed, the typical street burger or sandwich features buns or sliced bread. Vada Pav (with spiced fried mashed potato balls), Samosa Pav, Kanda Bhaji Pav (with onion bhaji) and Masala Omelette.

Burger buns, known in India as ‘Ladi Pav’ form the basis of many non-burger or sandwich dishes. Popular examples of these include: Pav Bhaji, Keema Pav, Misal Pav and Usal.

The history of Pav in India

Historically, India’s native version of bread referred to flatbreads: roti, paratha, rotla, etc. With the arrival of Portuguese settlers in Goa came not only trade, but yeast. Soft Portuguese bread rolls, called ‘Pao’ were thus introduced to the Indian subcontinent. People embraced the delicious fluffiness of Pao and learnt the art of cooking with yeast. New dishes developed from this and over time, they became known locally as ‘Pav’, ‘Laadi Pav’ or ‘Pau’.

The British colonial rule in Hindustan (pre-partition) later brought the concept of bread loaves and sliced bread. Therefore, recipes using yeasted loaves and bread slices were also woven into the fabric of modern-day Indian cookery.

Spicy Bean Tawa Burgers recipe

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Spicy Bean Tawa Burgers

Achingly good double bean masala and cheese inside a squishy sesame bun. Toast the burger in melted butter and paprika atop an iron tawa for street food vibes. Use any beans you like!

Course Lunch, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine Indian

Keyword beans, black beans, burger, fast food, legumes, street food, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Tawa (iron or steel preferable or use a non-stick frying pan)

Ingredients

• 200 g cooked borlotti beans pinto beans also work well
• 200 g cooked black beans
• 150 g sweetcorn
• 1 carrot grated
• 1 small onion finely diced (about 2 tbsp)
• 1/2 pepper (capsicum) finely diced (about 2 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp butter or oil
• 1 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes optional
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp mashed potato powder or 1 small cooked potato mashed
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste

To build the burgers:

• 6 slices mozzarella cheese or Cheddar/vegan alternative
• 6 burger buns

To finish on the tawa:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp chilli powder or paprika
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander
• Small pinch chaat masala per burger

Instructions

To make the filling:

• Heat butter or oil in a large, non-stick pan. Add the onions and peppers. Sauté for a minute and then add the carrots. Sauté for another minute before adding the chopped jalapenos and tomato purée. Mix well and cook out for 90 seconds.
• Next, add the following dry ingredients in quick succession: Dried garlic powder, ground cumin and coriander seeds, turmeric, smoked paprika, chilli flakes and dried oregano. Add a splash of water, no more than 75ml to ensure the spices can cook out without burning. Stir and cook for a further 90 seconds.
• Add the sweetcorn, beans and salt. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash the mixture up with a potato masher. The beans should be a mixture of fully mashed, partially mashed and whole for delicious texture and a mixture that binds well. Finally, sprinkle over the mashed potato powder (or add your mashed potato). Stir well and set aside.

To build the burgers:

• Split the burger buns in half lengthways and fill with a generous amount of the bean mixture. I find an ice cream scoop makes light work of this. Place your slice of cheese on top of the bean mixture and pop the burger lid on. Press lightly.

To tawa-cook the burgers:

• Add the butter and oil to a pre-heated tawa. Sprinkle in the paprika or chilli powder if you like things spicier, and the chopped coriander leaves. Mix well. Take a burger and dip all sides in the butter masala, and then the top and bottom. Lightly press the burger with a turner or spatula. Cook until it's perfectly toasted all over.
• Finally, sprinkle with a small pinch of chaat masala and serve with salad and chips/crisps.

Video

Notes

• The bean burger filling can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge (covered) until needed. It will keep for 3 days.
• For hot and sour flavours, try spreading 1 tsp Tamarind Chutney on the inside of the bread.
• To make a vegan version of these burgers, simply cook in oil instead of butter and replace the cheese with your favourite non-dairy cheese (or omit).
• Do not freeze the cooked and assembled burgers. You can freeze the filling in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• If you don’t have a tawa, use a non-stick frying pan.
• If you don’t like smoky flavours, you can replace the smoked paprika with regular paprika or chilli powder.

 

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Sri Lankan-Style Potato Wedges

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Juicy king oyster mushrooms make for a robust vegan meal with salad and naan. Marinate king oyster mushroom slices in spicy achaar masala marinade and then grill until almost meaty in texture.

How to serve Achaari Mushroom Kebabs

Serve in these delicious mushroom “steaks” in soft and fluffy grilled naan, along with salad and my trusty vegan mint mayo. It’s such a fresh, flavoursome and satisfying meal.

How to make a vegan kebab

I thought long and hard about what a dream vegan kebab might look like. I’m a huge fan of vegan “meat” replacements. I have dabbled in a few vegan kebab experiments with some lovely results. Seitan, tofu, tempeh and pea protein all work wonderfully if you want to give them a try.

Having said this, I also appreciate that many people don’t want to try and replicate the texture and flavour of meat in their cooking. Cue the Achaari Mushroom Kebab!

What is Achaar masala?

Achaar masala or Achar masala is a blend of spices used for pickling and preserving in Indian cusine. Lots of people make it at home in line with their family’s taste. It usually contains a blend of the following spices, ground to a powder:

• Chilli powder
• Fenugreek seeds
• Split mustard seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Black peppercorns
• Salt
• Oil

In this recipe, I opt for shop-bought Achaar masala for a speedy kebab recipe you can throw together at the end of a busy day.

Can I use any other mushrooms for these Achaari Mushroom Kebabs?

Certainly! Any large, meaty mushrooms will work well in this recipe. Portobello, large chestnut and oyster mushrooms are all perfect. If you can only get your hands on small button mushrooms, you can marinate them whole and cook as directed.

Can I cook the mushrooms any other way?

Sure, feel free to grill, barbecue or oven-cook the mushrooms according to the equipment you have at home. This is a very forgiving recipe!

Products I used for this recipe

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. These are all products I have purchased of my own accord and ones that I use myself. None of the products mentioned have been gifted to me. By using an affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no expense to you. This commission helps to support this blog. Thanks in advance if you choose to make a purchase through these links!

Achaari Mushroom Kebabs recipe

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Achaari Mushroom Kebabs

Juicy king oyster mushrooms make for a robust vegan meal when paired with salad and naan. These slices of king oyster are first marinated in spicy achaar masala and then grilled until almost meaty in texture. Serve in grilled naan with a pickled chilli salad and vegan mint mayo for desi kebab shop vibes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword achaar masala, barbecue, grilled, mushrooms, vegan

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Griddle pan

Ingredients

For the mushrooms:

• 200 g king oyster mushrooms or any large mushrooms of your choice
• 100 g plain vegan yoghurt
• 1 tbsp achaar masala (I use the Jalpur branded one)
• 1 tbsp chickpea flour (toasted in a dry pan until nutty and aromatic, about 1 minute)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander seeds
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp oil

For the vegan mint mayo:

• 3 tbsp your favourite vegan mayo
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried mint
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt

To serve:

• Flat-leaf parsley and mint
• Mixed salad of your choice (I used shredded cabbage, onions, carrots, cucumbers and pickled chillies)
• Naan, roti, pitta or other flatbread of your choice (homemade or shop bought)
• Chilli sauce

Instructions

To prepare the mushrooms:

• Give your king oyster mushrooms a good wipe with a dry kitchen towel.
• Slice the mushrooms lengthways, about 1-1.5cm thick. I got 4 slices out of each mushroom but this will depend on the size of your mushrooms.

To make the marinade:

• Whisk together the yoghurt, achaar masala, toasted chickpea flour, garlic, ground turmeric, ground coriander seeds, garam masala and salt.
• In a small saucepan, heat up the oil so that it's smoking hot.
• Carefully pour the hot oil into the whisked yoghurt and spice mixture. This will temper the spices and bring out all their beautiful colours.

To marinate the mushrooms:

• Spread the yoghurt marinade out on to a roasting tin or a large plate. Place the mushroom slices on top to coat one side. Turn them over to coat the other side, making sure they're well covered. Use a pastry brush if you need to. Cover and allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in the fridge.

To cook the mushrooms:

• Heat a griddle pan or frying pan over a medium heat. Place the marinated mushroom slices in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until chargrilled and cooked through.

To build the kebab:

• Take your favourite naan or flatbread of choice (I used soft, homemade naan). Brush some chilli sauce over the naan and then top with cabbage, onions, carrots and cucumbers.
• Place the grilled king oyster mushrooms on top and garnish with fresh parsley and mint, pickled chillies and the chilled vegan mint mayo. Serve immediately.

To make the vegan mint mayo:

• Mix together all the ingredients, cover and refrigerate until needed.

Video

Notes

• You can make the marinade up to 24 hours in advance. Ensure they’re tightly covered and kept in the fridge until needed.
• For a smoky flavour, try cooking the king oyster mushrooms on the barbecue.
• You can make this with any large, “meaty” mushrooms, such as Portobello, large chestnut or oyster mushrooms. Try a mix of mushrooms for an extra-special touch.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Meatless Seekh Kebabs

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Crispy, spiced nuggets of okra served with a hot and spicy vegan mayo. Put the natural stickiness of okra to work by creating a "glue" for crunchy panko breadcrumbs and coconut. Fry or bake for a delicious, golden snack. Once you start, you won't be able to stop eating. Dip them in my Atomic Red Chilli Mayo for addictive heat!

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What I love about mogo is its earthy flavour, which truly comes to life when it’s gently steamed or boiled. It’s so distinct, you’d know within a split second that someone is making ‘bafelo mogo’ (steamed cassava). It reminds me of the beautiful Mombasa sunshine. This chilli, garlic and lime version is a favourite in our British-Indian-East African home. Follow my tips for perfectly-crispy mogo chips without having to deep fry anything.

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Love Sanjana

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Can you believe this little blog will be 10 years old this year? To all my new readers — welcome! I have absolutely no new year’s resolutions. Same old me, taking each day as it comes and enjoying every moment. See, nothing new.

Wanna see something that is new?

These Fried Chick’n Burgers are VEGAN!

Behold! The vegan burger dreams are made of. This giant panko-crusted vegan “chicken” fillet (or should I say chicken-less fillet) is the star of the show.

Nestled between the folds of a squishy sesame bun, it’s joined by fresh avocado, lettuce, red onions, tomatoes and a spicy vegan mayo. Limp fast food veggie burgers can step aside, for there’s a new wave of vegan burgers hitting our plates, shops and restaurants. Soy, gluten, pea and bean-based burgers and other meat substitutes are all on the rise and non-meat eaters have more choice than ever.

Say goodbye to grilled mushroom burgers

For me, a grilled mushroom between two buns has never hit the spot but thankfully, there’s so much more out there now. I’m not even sure why grilled ‘shrooms are classed as a burger patty.

Vegan Fried Chick’n Burgers – What you need to know

Now let’s get straight to business. It’s full disclosure time. This is by no means a quick and easy recipe. It’s a labour of love and like with all good things, you must have patience and be prepared to wait. I think a burger this spectacularly juicy, fresh and nutritious is worth said wait. Although, I’ve found that if you break the steps down and tackle one bit at a time, it’s much easier. Making the vegan “chicken” is what takes the most time.

I’m a huge fan of chickwheat which is a high-protein wheat meat made with vital wheat gluten, tofu and white beans. Once a “dough” is made, it’s wrapped in foil, pressure cooked and left to rest. The result is a slab of textured, shreddy chickenless chicken that’s so flavoursome and versatile. I make big batches and freeze it so it’s always on hand for dishes like Vegan Butter Chick’n Curry, stir fries, tacos and Vegan Hariyali “Chicken” Drumsticks.

Big thanks to these guys…

I first heard about Chickwheat via The Seitan Appreciation Group on Facebook and Lacey Siomos of the Avocados and Ales blog. With vegan diets on the rise, seitan and other meat substitutes like this chickwheat are becoming widely recognised these days and vegan or not, I think it’s brilliant for those who’d like a varied choice. You were lucky to get a frozen bean burger when I was growing up in the 90s and 00s. Times are changing for the better when it comes to food options, culinary innovation and an open mindedness towards alternative diets.

As much as I like the convenience of shop bought, there’s nothing better than being able to customise your own flavours by making your own vegan meat subs at home. I order my vital wheat gluten online (Buy Whole Foods Online do a great one if you’re UK based – try Amazon if you’re not) and my chicken-style stock/seasoning of choice is Massel and Schwartz but you can use any. If you’re vegan or are cooking for vegans, read the ingredients to make sure the one you choose is suitable.

What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?

If you don’t have a pressure cooker for making the chicken, you can use a large saucepan with a lid and gently simmer (not boil) for 2 1/2 hours. An instant pot is also a great option – cook on high for 35 minutes. A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment is essential for this recipe. If the dough is not kneaded enough, you’ll end up with more of a spongy texture without the desired “pulled” effect. Knead the dough long and hard and keep an eye on your mixer to ensure it doesn’t wiggle across the countertop — they can shift fast! I wrap it tightly in foil to make sure the chicken doesn’t expand too much during the cooking process. We want it nice and compact.

What if I don’t want to use foil?

You could also use cheesecloth or muslin and string if you’re not keen on using foil, although it is a little messier. Be sure to wrap it tightly for a good shape and to stop the water leaking in. To sum up, It’s the long kneading, tight wrapping and long cooking that gives the chicken its perfect shreddy texture.

The perfect breadcrumbs

Panko are my coating of choice because I like the crunch you get with larger breadcrumb pieces. Switch in regular breadcrumbs if that’s what you have. You’ll need to dust the fillets in plain flour and batter of dairy-free yoghurt and chickpea flour first — this will help the breadcrumbs adhere well. It’s messy but fun and kids will love helping with this part! Feel free to customise the burger toppings to your taste; a slice of melty vegan cheese, wafer-thin pickles and a smidge of mustard or barbecue sauce is also a good idea. I’ve also been known to throw in a few jalapeños for a big chilli kick.

Ingredients you’ll need for these Vegan Fried Chick’n Burgers

• Seitan chicken fillets (try my epic homemade recipe below or use shop bought)
• Burger buns
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Chicken seasoning (I use garlic and chilli) – make sure it’s vegan
• Soy yoghurt
• Chickpea flour
• Oil
• Lettuce
• Avocado
• Red onion
• Tomato
• Hot sauce
• Vegan mayo
• Fries, to serve

How to make Vegan Fried Chick’n Burgers

How to make vegan chick’n for these burgers

Follow the recipe below to make your own vegan chicken (chick’n) at home. Once the cooked seitan is cold and rested, slice it into fillets for your burgers.

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Vegan Seitan Chicken (Chick’n)

Perfectly succulent meat-free chick'n made using tofu and beans. This recipe is worth the effort and makes lots of high-protein seitan chicken for curries, stir fries, burgers and more.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

Keyword beans, seitan, tofu, vegan

Prep Time 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Pressure cooker
• High-powered blender

Ingredients

• 300 g extra-firm tofu
• 400 g tin any white beans inc. liquid from tin such as haricot
• 150 g vital wheat gluten
• 150 ml cold water
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tsp white miso paste or MSG optional
• 1 1/2 tsp salt or 1 vegan chicken-style stock cube (such as Massel)
• 3 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

Instructions

• In a high-powered blender, combine the tofu, haricot beans in their liquid, miso paste (or msg), salt, nutritional yeast, oil and water until you have a smooth paste.
• Add the vital wheat gluten to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the tofu mixture and mix on a low speed until the two come together in the form of a dough.
• Switch the paddle attachment to a dough hook and mix on a medium/high speed for 10-12 minutes. Stay close by as the mixer may shuffle across the counter top as the dough is tough to work. You’ll also need to be very careful your mixer’s motor doesn’t burn out. This kneading of the dough is crucial in developing the gluten and proteins in the seitan and shouldn’t be skipped. The longer and harder you work it, the more fibrous and chicken-like the final product will be.
• Once your seitan has been kneaded long and hard, remove it from the mixer and cut it in half. Wrap each “loaf” very tightly in 3-4 layers of heavy-duty foil. You want it to be nice and compact inside to stop it expanding inside as this will promote sponginess rather than the shreddable texture we’re after. The multiple layers of foil will also stop water getting inside. 
• Next, fill a pressure cooker with plenty of water (about 3/4 of the way full) and bring to a boil. Carefully drop your seitan into the cooker and put the lid on. Cook on a medium/high heat for 40 minutes. Once the time is up, switch off the heat and leave it to cool completely.
• Once cool, remove the seitan parcels from the cooker and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 48 hours.
• Unwrap and check out that amazing texture when you pull it apart. Your seitan is now ready to use in your favourite vegan chicken recipe.

Notes

• I wouldn’t recommend making this recipe by hand as your arms might threaten to fall off. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger would struggle, seriously. Having said this, you can create seitan kneading by hand – it will not however, have a shreddable, “pulled” quality and you’ll finish up with a spongy end product instead. It’ll still taste good but probably won’t fool your meat-eating friends.
• If freezing the seitan chick’n, keep it in an airtight container and use within 3 months.

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Vegan Fried Chick’n Burgers

Vegan Fried Chick'n Burgers: The veggie burger dreams are made of. A giant “chicken” fillet inside a squishy bun, with avocado, lettuce & spicy vegan mayo.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword barbecue, burger, party food, seitan, tofu, vegan

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

For the crispy coating:

• 200 g panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp chicken seasoning (I use garlic, chilli and thyme)
• 100 g dairy-free yoghurt
• 2 tbsp chickpea flour
• 1.5 L Oil to deep fry I use sunflower oil

For the burgers:

• 4 burger buns
• 100 g fresh gem or iceberg lettuce shredded
• 1 ripe avocado sliced
• ½ red onion peeled and cut into rings
• 1 ripe vine tomato thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp hot sauce I use Frank's
• 4 tbsp vegan mayo I use Hellman's

Instructions

For the crispy chick'n fillets:

• Cut the chicken-style seitan into four fillets the size of your burger bun. Save any offcuts for another recipe (it freezes really well).
• Whisk together the dairy-free yoghurt (I use soy yoghurt) with the chicken seasoning and chickpea flour. Coat all the fillets well and then roll each one in the panko breadcrumbs. Arrange on a tray and place the tray into the freezer for 5 minutes.
• Cut the chicken-style seitan into four fillets the size of your burger bun.
• Remove the fillets from the freezer and carefully deep fry, two at a time for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy all over. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

To build the burgers:

• In a small bowl, mix together the hot sauce and vegan mayo.
• Slice the burger buns and spread the spicy mayo inside. Add lettuce, chick'n fillets, onions, tomatoes and avocado. You can also add a slice of vegan cheese if you like.
• Serve immediately with crispy French fries.

Notes

• To make ahead, simply freeze the breadcrumbed fillets in an airtight container and fry or bake before serving. Always cook from frozen.
• You can bake the burgers but they won’t be as crispy as the fried version. Spray with cooking oil and bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes. The frozen fillets will take 35 minutes if cooking from frozen.

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With Indian street food vendors popping up all over the UK, selling everything from Kati Rolls to Pau Bhaji, and Masala Dosa to Samosas, we’re becoming accustomed to having delicious Indian street food on tap… and we want it fast. Not only that; but it better be damn perfect too. Believe it or not, but I’ve heard students in King’s Cross complain there’s far too much tadka on top of their dosa chutney and ajwain in their samosa pastry. We’ve become a nation of Indian street food connoisseurs and it’s bloody brilliant.

Re-creating street food classics like these Bombay Sandwiches at home is so simple. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s a sandwich. But not just any sandwich. Traditional Bombay sandwiches consist of two pieces of bread with slices of boiled potato, mint and coriander chutney, onions, cucumber and tomatoes on sliced white bread, I’ve taken it a step further by adding a slice of flavour-packed toast slathered in green pistachio chutney to the middle, grilled paneer (because why the hell not), sliced gherkins (because I can’t deal with warm cucumbers, sorry) and then griddled the whole thing. It’s quite a mouthful but I reckon that’s the beauty of it.

I’ve never met another Indian who hasn’t used up leftover potato curry in toasted sandwiches the next day – it’s a no brainer. I like to think of it as the ultimate ‘Dad meal’. Quick, easy and perfect with green chutney on the inside or for dipping on the outside. Of course, a slice of cheese is optional but for me, that isn’t even worth thinking about.

Trust me when I tell you this is three layers of awesome you don’t want to miss out on.

Best Ever Bombay Sandwiches
Makes 2 sandwiches

6 slices bloomer bread – whole wheat or white
2 large potatoes, boiled, peeled and sliced thinly
2 x 60g paneer slices, try to cut them wide
2 red onions, thinly sliced
2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
4 large pickled gherkins, thinly sliced
60g grated Cheddar
1 large avocado, sliced (optional)
Melted butter, for brushing the outsides of the bread

For the Coriander, Mint and Pistachio Chutney:

100g coriander
30g mint
2 small green chillies
6 shelled, unsalted pistachios
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
½ tsp salt
3 tsp sugar
50ml groundnut oil

Method

1. Blitz all the ingredients for the chutney in a blender until smooth. Add a drop of water if necessary. The chutney should be the consistency of pesto.

2. Toast two slices of bread. Griddle the paneer on both sides.

3. Butter the outside of the bread and place buttered-side-down on a cold griddle. Spread some of the chutney on the top, lay over potato slices, red onions, tomatoes gherkins and a little bit of Cheddar.

4. Spread green chutney over both sides of one of the slices of toast. Place on top of your sandwich and repeat the layering process, this time adding the paneer. Take the final bread slice and spread green chutney on the inside and place chutney-side-down on the sandwich. Butter the outside of the top slice.

5. Repeat to make the other sandwich.

6. Griddle on both sides until golden, about 5 minutes.

Serve with crisps or masala chips, chai, limeade or beer and prepare to take the biggest bite of your life.

Love Sanjana

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This is not just any old wrap. This is a flavoursome, satisfying chapatti wrap filled with rich paneer, tangy lemon and mouth-watering spices. Seriously, M&S would be proud. These kati rolls are simple, filling and perfect for lunch or dinner. You can stuff them with anything you like, from scrambled paneer to Bombay potatoes.

Traditional kati rolls come from Kolkata where they are essentially a kebab wrapped in paratha. Just like sandwiches and wraps you’ll find all over the world, from gyros to banh mi, kati rolls are a street food favourite because they lend themselves to eating on-the-go – a must in any bustling city.

My take on kati rolls combines my passion for paneer bhurji (North Indian-style spiced, scrambled paneer) and hot chapattis. I figured if I was going to fill something with pure paneer and vegetables, I’d better use a chapatti rather than ghee-filled paratha. If you’re not bothered about the extra calories, I’d recommend you go the whole hog and wrap your bhurji in hot, buttery paratha. There’s nothing quite like it.

One of my favourite places to eat in London is at Payal Saha’s The Kati Roll Company which opened after the first store in New York City's eclectic Greenwich Village was such a success. If you’ve never been to the London shop, here’s the lowdown; it’s a tiny little café-style restaurant with no more than eight tables. The walls are plastered with vintage Bollywood posters and they play filmi hits you’re more likely to bop away to at a family wedding rather than the UK’s busiest shopping hotspot. My point is that I love the Achaari Paneer Kati Rolls here – it is where the inspiration for my Paneer Bhurji Kati Rolls came from. 

If you’re up for it, try making your own Homemade Paneer. It will make a huge difference to the final texture of the paneer. However, if you’re short of time, just use shop bought – all you need to do is mash it up with a fork.

I love to cook my Paneer Bhurji in butter – it adds a delicious richness to the juicy paneer and vegetables. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end plumps up the paneer and provides the perfectly-balanced tang you’re looking for in any good paneer dish.

Paneer Bhurji Kati Rolls
(Makes 8 rolls)

450g paneer, crumbled
50g butter
1 large red onion, diced finely
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp freshly-grated ginger
2 hot red chillies, chopped finely
½  green pepper, diced finely
Handful shredded red cabbage
Handful petits pois or peas
3 spring onions, sliced at an angle
½ tsp amchur powder
1 tsp garam masala
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp salt
Juice of half a lemon
Fresh coriander, to garnish

8 chapattis or paratha
Salad leaves, to serve

Method

1. Melt the butter in a large pan and add the cumin seeds. Allow to sizzle a little bit, and then add the chopped red onions and red cabbage. Cook on a medium heat, stirring frequently until soft.

2. Next, add the ginger, chillies, pepper, petits pois, amchur powder, garam masala, turmeric powder and salt. Allow to cook for 5 minutes on a low heat.

3. Finish by adding the paneer and lemon juice. Cook this on a medium heat for around 5 minutes, stirring often. Don’t let this become too dry – you want the paneer to stay juicy for your kati rolls.

4. Garnish with fresh coriander and spring onions.

5. You can either serve the bhurji like a curry with hot chapattis or naan or you can make perfectly-portable kati rolls.

6. To make kati rolls, take a hot chapatti or paratha and put some filling inside. You can also add some fresh salad and chutney at this stage (I love Sriracha and green coriander chutney in these). Roll them up tightly and wrap with greaseproof paper.

Serve hot with cold lassi, beer or a steaming cuppa chai. 

Love Sanjana

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