Oct 26, 2010

Vegetable sandwiches

This was the lazy weekend,and I was too engrossed in aromatic elaichi tea with the morning newspaper,to think of any gourmet breakfast.It was then that I remembered the pudina chutney I  had made the previous day.I lost no time in chopping up the veggies at hand,and went on to make this A GRADE (the young ones gave me this grade!) scrumptious breakfast for my kids.So quick and tasty,especially if you have the spread made ahead,my heart filled with happiness at having been able to whip up a hearty wholesome breakfast for my family.
You need 
  1. Sandwich bread / whole wheat bread-1 loaf
  2. Pudina chutney-1 recipe (from previous post)
  3. Tomatoes-3-4 medium, thinly sliced
  4. Capsicum-2 medium, thinly sliced
  5. Zuchini, yellow-1 long, thinly sliced
  6. Onion-2 medium, cut into thin rounds (optional)
  7. Butter-2 tbsp, melted
To assemble
  1. Clean all vegetables that you wish to use, peel and slice into thin rounds.
  2. Brush 1 side of each bread slice very lightly with melted butter.
  3. Heat a sandwich toaster, place a buttered slice down on the toaster.
  4. Use a spoon or spatula to spread some pudina chutney onto the slice.
  5. Place 2-3 tomato slices on the bread slice, then place some zuchini slices over it, followed by a slice each of onion and capsicum.
  6. Top the sandwich with a buttered bread slice faced up.
  7. Close the sandwich toaster, step back and wait for the heavenly aroma of toasted bread.
  8. Depending on model of toaster, your sandwich should be ready in 60-80 seconds.
  9. Take care not to burn the underside of the sandwich, switch off and remove carefully with a spatula.
  10. Repeat making sandwiches using up your bread and veggies and the yummy chutney spread.
  11. Cut the sandwiches into triangles with a sharp knife, sit back and       ATTACK!!!!
Variations
  1. You could use any vegetable combination- sliced carrot, blanched beetroot, raw cucumber, tender radish- all work well inside sandwiches.
Notes
  • A sandwich filled with vegetables like this is a super healthy, filling, no mess, school lunch.
  • You could add half a slice of cheese to each sandwich to increase satiety for a school lunch box.
  • I used a Philips electric sandwich toaster to make these sandwiches.
Now for the nutri notes
  • Using whole wheat bread increases fibre content of the meal, especially useful for diabetics, since it is a low glycemic index food.
  • Health benefits of pudina has already been mentioned in previous post.
  • Making a vegetable sandwich like this, at home,  lets you use several types of vegetables in the same sandwich (you are not victim of limited veggie fillings commonly doled out at several restaurants).
  • Using raw vegetables like capsicum, tomato provides for the daily average requirement of Vitamin C (Please note that cooking time of 60 -80 seconds inside the toaster is quite minimal and ensures easy digestion, while retaining the vitamin content of the vegetable to almost 80%)
  • Onion is a sulphur containing vegetable, while tomatoes have lycopene, a  plant pigment. Such vegetables have anti carcinogenic property, that is, they help prevent cancer in the body!
  • The homemade sandwich spread eliminates the need of  using store bought ketchups and spreads (which may contain several food additives and preservatives).
Here are the visuals


sliced vegetables
bread slice topped and ready to toast!
yummy sandwiches


9 comments:

jayasree said...

Very filling and nutritive sandwich... Lovely pics...Liked the nutri notes. Great going.

I could check your blog only now.

Unknown said...

Hi Rajani,

Love sandwiches...You have explained it in a beautiful way dear...Stop by my blog when you find time...:)

Dr.Sameena@

www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

Rajani said...

Jayasree,thank you for noticing the nutri notes,your appreciation means a lot to me thanks.
Dr.Sameena,glad that you are a sandwichphile too!!Shall visit your blog soooon.

Mangala Prabhu said...

Rajani, looks so good, lovely pictures! This is generally how i make them too.. I also add boiled, sliced potatoes.

Rajani said...

I have not tried boiled potatoes in sandwich so far,will try next time and let you know!Do drop in often.

Deepa said...

I have to try this soon...Very informative nutri notes...Akka please post variety salads..

Rajani said...

Sure Deepa,Some intersting salads are on my to be posted list,will post very soon.

Unknown said...

Yum looking!!!cheese would add satiety as you described so well, and would be just heavenly if it were mozarella!!!
Sreelatha

Rajani said...

Hmmm...I had not thought of mozarella but the thought itself is mouthwatering.