Baked sandwich parcels

We usually make veggie-sandwiches for a weekend brunch, on occasions when we crave the warm sandwich, I turn to my favourite taostie-sandwich maker which churns out the amazing triangular sandwiches. This time, when I had a packet of bread leftover and was in mood fo neither a plain sandwich nor a toastie, I decided to experiment a bit with my oven. Baking these parcels gave a perfect crunch without making them greasy like the fried bread-roll or pakora version.

The recipe is super easy and can be put together with whatever vegetables are available at home. Perfect for a Saturday brunch, when the refrigerator stocks are low and the junk food craving is starting to build up!

Ingredients:

For the filling

• 4 medium potatoes,boiled and mashed

• 2 spoons lemon juice

• 3/4th cup green peas, steamed

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 bunch corriander, finely chopped

• 2 green chillies, finely chopped

• 1 tomato, finely chopped

• 1 cm fresh ginger, grated

• spice - 1-1.5 teaspoon each - salt, chat masala, cumin powder, sugar

For baking:

• 1 teaspoon mixed herbs

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon milk

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1-2 teaspoon fresh garlic - minced, optional

• 2-3 teaspoons black and white sesame seeds

• 1 tablespoon melted butter - separately

• 1 pack fresh bread, I used brown wholewheat bread

Method:

1. Cut the edges off each bread slice

2. Using a rolling pin, roll out each slice till it flattens slightly. No need to use water or anything else to roll.

3. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients for the filling and bring it together. Adjust seasoning to taste

4. In a small bowl, add sesame seeds, garlic, herbs, milk and spices to melted butter. This will be used as a 'wash' for baking the parcels

5. Take a flattened slice of bread, place 2 spoonfuls of filling on one half of the slice. Gently fold over the remaining half of the bread slice such that the filling is now in the bread "roll"

6. Seal off the edges using a dab of water as you pinch down the sides

7. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees, prepare a baking tray by lining with parchment paper

8. Apply a generous layer of melted butter on the bottom side of each parcel. Put the buttered side down on the baking tray

9. Apply a couple of brushes of the herb-garlic butter on the top side

10. Bake for about 9-12 minutes till the tops are a nice golden brown

11. Serve warm with mint chutney or tomato ketchup

Notes:

1. Filling can be changed to include any variations such as paneer, cheese, other vegetables, carrot-cabbage, or sprouts

2. Keep the filling slightly spicier than your usual preference so that when you taste the parcel as a whole the bread and filling the spices are perfect