Paneer Tikka Sandwiches with Tandoori Mayonnaise –crispy whole grain sandwiches with chunks of vegetables and paneer tikkas nestled in a spicy tandoori mayo sauce pan grilled to perfection.
When the kitchen knife brand “SHAN ZU” contacted me recently to see whether I could review one of their GYO series chef's knives, I was excited as I have never owned any high quality knife to use in my kitchen; just some local store knives that I have been making do with!
When I checked out who and what they were, I was so thrilled that I get to use one of these highly tested, beautiful and innovative knives that has been crafted keeping all kinds of cuisines in mind! With a mix of 3 kinds of steel in each knife and the edges so sharp (I was so afraid to even hold them!) crafted by Japanese traditional Honbazuke method, I could not wait to use it to make these mouthwatering sandwiches.
This gorgeous knife not only looks beautiful and sturdy, it also comes in a beautiful box with a magnetic cover; a perfect way to store your knife without fear of any damage or scratches that may occur if you store in any random way! The whole blade too has a thick plastic cover along with a small hard plastic cover just for the sharp tip! No accidental cuts or bruises to anyone who handles it!
No cooking is complete without a good quality knife and I can assure you that this sturdy, ergonomically designed SHAN ZU "GYO" series 8-inch chef’s knife is something all cooks (especially home chefs and food bloggers) would love to have in their knife collection. I know my son (who loves to cook gourmet food) already loves it!
Read on at the bottom of the post to find out how you can get this beautiful and “any chef’s delight” knife at an enticing discount!
Now, on to these heavenly paneer tikka sandwiches, made easy with this sturdy knife!
INDIAN FLAVORED SANDWICHES:
Our family loves to indulge in healthy and flavorful sandwiches for a quick lunch/snack or dinner. One sandwich I have been waiting to make is this spicy vegetable sandwich with quintessential Indian tandoori flavors!
I was so sure that this beautiful, sturdy and sharp knife was going to play a big part in making this mouthwatering grilled sandwich a breeze!
Sandwiches are not usually associated with Indian cuisine, but if you see now, a number of street food vendors as well as restaurants in India do have a sandwich section (especially in cafes and fast food restaurants)!
The key is using Indian flavors like chilli powder/cayenne, chaat masala powder (a tangy and lip-smacking street food ingredient) and any tandoori masala powder you can find in the market. I have used MDH Tandoori Barbecue masala powder; you can make your own mix (in notes) or use garam masala powder instead.
WHAT GOES IN A PANEER TIKKA SANDWICH?
For this paneer tikka tandoori mayo sandwich, all you need are some simple ingredients maybe already in your kitchen –
Basic filling - onions, bell peppers/capsicum, tomatoes, paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or chicken for meat lovers! I decided to grill paneer cubes in an aromatic tandoori mixture before filling it in sandwiches; the paneer tikka element! (Note: Chopping paneer into small, neat cubes was a breeze with this SHAN ZU knife! No crumbling at all!)
The key to a delectable filling is always the sauce. I have used mayonnaise as the base and built up flavors with more tandoori masala powder, Kashmiri chilli powder, chaat masala powder and a dash of tomato ketchup.
Now, how can I make an Indian tikka sandwich and not have green mint-cilantro chutney in it? Just blend cilantro, mint leaves, green chilies/jalapenos, some cumin and garlic pods to a fine paste. Slather some on the bread slices before filling it.
I prefer a whole wheat or multigrain bread in my sandwiches anytime compared to plain white bread but you can use any bread you like.
Just mix the filling and tandoori mayo sauce and grill the sandwiches on a grill pan, flat griddle pan, sandwich maker etc. slathered with butter until crisp and golden brown on both sides.
Every bite of these mouthwatering Paneer Tikka Sandwiches is bursting with aromatic flavors found in any tandoori dish – spicy, tangy, chatpata, lip smacking and crunchy along with the freshness you get in any vegetable sandwich!
My family loved it so much and I am making this again this week! Do try these mouthwatering paneer tikka sandwiches at your next party, gathering or as a snack for lunch or dinner; you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy and Happy Cooking Foodie friends!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2020:
So thrilled to share the news that this amazing, spicy and lip smacking sandwich won a prize in an International contest in the "Sandwich" category!!
Now, you gotta try this!!
If you love sandwiches, you must try these easy other variations too:
Paneer Tikka Sandwich with Tandoori Mayonnaise –crispy whole grain sandwiches with chunks of vegetables and paneer tikkas nestled in a spicy mayo sauce; pan grilled to perfection and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 10 slices whole grain/whole wheat bread slices
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped green bell peppers/capsicum (or a mix of red and green)
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- 2 green chilies/jalapenos/Serrano peppers, finely chopped (optional; but is a kicker!)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro/coriander leaves
- ½ cup paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cut into small cubes
- 1 tsp Tandoori Barbeque masala powder (or any tandoori masala powder available; I have used MDH brand)
- ½ to 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder (more for color than heat)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp oil (any odorless cooking oil)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (with or without eggs)
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ tsp chaat masala powder
- 2 teaspoons Tandoori masala powder (I have used MDH Tandoori barbecue masala)
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- Handful of cilantro/coriander leaves
- Handful of mint leaves
- 2 to 3 green chilies/Serrano/jalapenos
- 2 large cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup butter (salted or unsalted)
- Any sharp knife like Shanzu “GYO” series 8-inch chef's knife
- Any cast iron or non-stick skillet/grill pan
- Heavy ladle (for pressing)
Instructions
- Finely chop bell pepper, tomatoes, onions, green chilies and coriander leaves.
- Cut paneer into small cubes. Add the marinade ingredients – tandoori powder, chili powder, oil and salt. Mix well and marinate for about 15 minutes.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, chaat masala powder, red chili powder, tandoori masala powder and tomato ketchup to combine thoroughly. Adjust seasonings according to personal taste. Set aside.
- Make a fine paste of a handful of cilantro leaves, mint leaves, 2 to 3 green chilies, 2 cloves of garlic, ½ tsp cumin seeds and salt to taste.
- Transfer to a bowl, squeeze in a splash of lemon or lime juice (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) and mix well. Set aside.
- Heat a non-stick pan with about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of butter. Once it melts, add the marinated paneer cubes and sauté on medium high heat for a few minutes, stirring often until grilled and toasted.
- Remove and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the vegetables along with paneer tikka pieces and cilantro.
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of prepared tandoori mayonnaise and give it a good mix. Do a taste test and add more mayo if needed.
- Heat a large griddle on medium high heat.
- While the pan is heating, place 2 slices of bread side by side on a plate. Smear some cilantro chutney on one slice.
- Top with required amount of filling, spreading to cover the slice.
- Place the second slice on the filling. Press gently and butter the top bread slice.
- Transfer to the heated griddle (buttered side down) and toast or grill, pressing slightly with a flat spatula or sandwich press. You can even use a sandwich maker instead.
- When the bottom of the sandwich turns slightly golden brown and crisp, butter the top slice of the sandwich and turn over to grill. Press gently again or use a sandwich press or even a heavy lid.
- Once both the sides are toasted and grilled to perfection (with a bit of crispiness and color), remove from heat onto serving plate.
- Cut each sandwich into 2 or 4 triangles with a super sharp knife.
- Serve immediately with more tandoori mayonnaise and green chutney on the side.
- Make as many sandwiches as you like and enjoy these crispy, buttery, lip-smacking Paneer Tikka Sandwiches with Tandoori Mayonnaise along with a cup of chai/coffee or even fresh juice!
- ENJOY AND HAPPY COOKING FRIENDS!
Notes
I have used whole grain bread here. You can use any favorite bread of your choice.
Adjust the amount of spices and ingredients according to your preference.
If you like cheese, you can stir in about ¼ cup of cheese (any processed cheese) into the filling mixture.
If you cannot find tandoori masala powder, you can spice up the mayo with red chilli powder, chaat masala powder, roasted cumin powder and any garam masala powder you have.
For a quicker version, instead of grilling the paneer, just stir fresh paneer cubes into the mixture.
For chicken lovers, use chicken cubes instead of paneer.
Stir in grated carrots, cabbage etc. in the filling and if you do not like paneer, just omit it to make a simple vegetable sandwich.
STEP-WISE INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE PANEER TIKKA SANDWICHES WITH TANDOORI MAYONNAISE:
Finely chop bell pepper, tomatoes, onions, green chilies and coriander leaves.
Cut paneer into small cubes. Add the marinade ingredients – tandoori powder, chili powder, oil and salt. Mix well and marinate for about 15 minutes.
TO MAKE THE TANDOORI MAYONNAISE:
In a small mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, chaat masala powder, red chili powder, tandoori masala powder and tomato ketchup to combine thoroughly. Adjust seasonings according to personal taste. Set aside.
TO MAKE THE CILANTRO CHUTNEY:
Make a fine paste of a handful of cilantro leaves, mint leaves, 2 to 3 green chilies, 2 cloves of garlic, ½ tsp cumin seeds and salt to taste.
Transfer to a bowl, squeeze in a splash of lemon or lime juice (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) and mix well. Set aside.
TO MAKE THE PANEER TIKKAS:
Heat a non-stick pan with about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of butter. Once it melts, add the marinated paneer cubes and saute on medium high heat for a few minutes, stirring often until grilled and toasted.
Remove and set aside.
TO MAKE THE SANDWICH FILLING:
In a large mixing bowl, add the vegetables along with paneer tikka pieces and cilantro.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of prepared tandoori mayonnaise and give it a good mix. Do a taste test and add more mayo if needed.
TO MAKE THE TANDOORI PANEER TIKKA SANDWICHES:
Heat a large griddle on medium high heat.
While the pan is heating, place 2 slices of bread side by side. Smear some cilantro chutney on one slice. Top with required amount of filling, spreading to cover the slice.
Place the second slice on the filling. Press gently and butter the top bread slice..
Transfer to the heated griddle (buttered side down) and toast or grill, pressing slightly with a flat spatula or sandwich press. You can even use a sandwich maker instead.
When the bottom of the sandwich turns slightly golden brown and crisp, butter the top slice of the sandwich and turn over to grill. Press gently again.
Once both the sides are toasted and grilled to perfection (with a bit of crispiness and color), remove from heat onto serving plate.
Cut each sandwich into 2 or 4 triangles with a super sharp knife.
Serve immediately with more tandoori mayonnaise and green chutney on the side.
Make as many sandwiches as you like (this makes 5 sandwiches) and enjoy these crispy, buttery, lip-smacking Paneer Tikka Sandwiches with Tandoori Mayonnaise along with a cup of chai/coffee or even fresh juice!
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As promised, you can make use of this opportunity to have one of your own SHAN ZU "GYO" series 8-inch Chef’s Knife. SHAN ZU has been kind enough to give an enticing introductory big 20% discount for all my readers! USE THE CODE VBhat20 at checkout. You can avail this by clicking on this link:
You can also join their VIP club and be an exclusive member to explore and purchase any other knives and accessories they offer anytime!
No more round the corner store knifes for you! Do take the plunge and be amazed at how you ever survived all these years without such a beautiful and sturdy knife in your kitchen by getting your very own SHAN ZU knife! I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Disclaimer- I was sent the SHAN ZU "GYO" series 8-inch Chef's Knife for an unbiased review and not told or paid to write anything positive. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you SHAN ZU team.
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Looks to be quite tasty, and something I'd seriously like to try. Thanks for sharing this recipe with Fiesta Friday! Umm, tandoori mayo, especially!
Thanks so much!! Yes, this tandoori mayo is absolutely yumm! Happy to be part of Fiesta Friday!