Desi Italian or Indo Italian is a type of cuisine that is all the rage these days. The first time I had this sandwich I was surprised, I really wanted to make this at home for everyone to have! The only problem with the original recipe was that it had garlic in it. My parents really dislike garlic in their food. So I made this without garlic.
You will need a food processor for this recipe, normal blender might not be able to handle it. I used walnuts for this recipe, you can use pine nuts and almonds as well. I prefer the bitterness with walnuts.
Coming to the herbs, I’ve used gourmet garden’s fresh Italian basil for this recipe! The taste is so great and fresh. Whenever I need herbs for my recipes, I use them both here in Bangalore and back in Hyderabad as well!
My brother really loved the recipe. So I’m eagerly waiting for him to try this recipe out. He will definitely use garlic for this recipe!
Let me know in the comments below if you make it? Or if you like it? Do share it with your friends and family. PS this a very kid friendly a recipe!
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Desi Italian Pesto Paneer Sandwich
Desi Italian or Indo Italian is a type of cuisine that is all the rage these days. The first time I had this sandwich I was surprised, I really wanted to make this at home for everyone to have! The only problem with the original recipe was that it had garlic in it. My parents really dislike garlic in their food. So I made this without garlic.
Ingredients
- 2 cups tightly packed fresh Italian Basil
- 1/4 cup of shelled walnuts
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons of freshly ground pepper
- 1 green chilli if you like it spicy
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt per taste
- 200 grams pack of Paneer
- Bread of your choice for the sandwich I used Panini
- Butter for toasting bread
Instructions
- In a food processor jar add 2 tightly packed cups of fresh basil
- Next add 1/4 cup of shelled walnuts
- Pulse it
- Next add 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, mix again
- Next, add juice of 1 lemon and then mix again
- Move the ingredients to the centre of the jar again
- Next add 1 tablespoon of freshly ground pepper and mix again,
- If you like it spicy you can add a green chilli at this stage
- Transfer the prepared pesto sauce into a mixing bowl
- Add salt per taste and mix using a spatula
- I added some more pepper, mix again
- I have used Gowardhan Paneer
- Wash it and pat dry it gently
- Cut into cubes
- Transfer the cut paneer into the pesto sauce and gently toss
- Marinate the paneer in the pesto sauce for around 10 minutes
- Using a kadai or pan transfer the marinated paneer slowly and carefully
- Keep the heat low and stir fry it for around 2-3 minutes
- Take off from the heat and keep aside
- Toast any bread of your choice, I used Bigbasket’s Panini bread
- I toasted it using my cast iron skillet
- Transfer the toasted bread and add around 2 tablespoons of the pesto paneer filling
- Press the bread down gently
- The toast is now ready to serve
