Toshka is a delicious street food mostly made with an Arabic flatbread stuffed with kebabs and white cheese. These are then baked over charcoal or on a flat griddle.
Toshkas are originally from Aleppo and traveled to Damascus where it took a different form, though retaining the name. In Damascus, Toshka is a type of sandwich made with Sujak meat and Kashkawan cheese. It is then grilled in a sandwich maker for the cheese to melt.
I adapted my version of this recipe, where Pita bread is used instead of the Arabic Flatbread or the Khobez. The Kashkawan cheese is replaced with mild Gouda cheese.
I further went with my own modification of the recipe, for the meat I replaced it with the Soya Mince. The meat is cooked as Sujak/ Sucuk, which is a dry, spicy sausage. The spices used were almost similar to our Indian style, except it was mild. As I have mentioned, I ensured I cooked all possible dishes with the huge Soya Mince I made. So this recipe has Soya Mince, Cheese filled in a Pita Bread and then grilled on a hot tawa served with a cucumber pickle.
So, this sinful Damascus sandwich is my pick for T in the A to Z International Street Foods. If you are interested to know the Flatbread for T, check this post. Check my other space.
In this A to Z International Street Foods:
A for Arancini
B for Bunny Chow
C for Chatamari
D for Dürüm
E for Empanada
F for Fataa’ir Farmaajo
G for Gilgeori Toast
H for Hua Juan Bao
I for Imqarrun il-Forn
J for Jasuben's Pizza
K for Khachapuri
L for Lángos
M for Mofo Anana
N for Nachos Supreme
O for Okonomiyaki
P for Panelle
Q for Qamdi
R for Rustico
S for Sabich
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Step By Step Pictures for making Toshka
Toshka ~ A Damascus Sandwich
How to make Toshka
For the Minced Soya Granules
Bring a pot of water to boil along with turmeric and salt. Add soya granules and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Drain it in a colander for a while till all the water drains away. If required you can further squeeze to make the granules very dry.
Heat a nonstick pan with cooking oil, add bay leaf and then finely chopped onions. Saute well.
Add the soya granules and saute till it becomes dry.
Add all the spice powders and combine well.
Then, grind soaked cashews along with tomatoes to a fine puree
Combine all and simmer for 10 mins till the soya granules get cooked in masala well. Keep it aside.
Assembling the Toshka
Open the Pita bread into a pocket shape. Fill with a layer of minced soya and a slice of cheese. Grill in a sandwich maker or on a flat griddle.
You can brush the bread with melted butter if you want it to crisp.
Serve with cucumber pickle on the side.
Recipe
Toshka ~ A Damascus Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Minced Soya Granules
- 1 cup Soya Granules
- A Pinch Turmeric Powder
- A Pinch Salt
- Water as required
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- 1 cup Onions finely chopped
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 cup Tomato Puree
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 /2 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 /2 Cumin Powder
- Salt to taste
- 4 - 5 Cashews
Other Ingredients Needed
- Cheese Slices
- Cucumber Pickle
- Pita Bread
Instructions
How to make Toshka ~ A Damascus Sandwich
For the Minced Soya Granules
- Bring a pot of water to boil along with turmeric powder and salt. Add soya granules and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Drain it in a colander for a while till all the water drains away. If required you can further squeeze to make the granules very dry.
- Heat a nonstick pan with cooking oil, add bay leaf and then finely chopped onions. Saute well.
- Add the soya granules and saute till it becomes dry.
- Add all the spice powders and combine well.
- Then, grind soaked cashews along with tomatoes to a fine puree.
- Combine all and simmer for 10 mins till the soya granules get cooked in masala well. Keep it aside.
Assembling the Toshka
- Open the Pita bread into a pocket shape. Fill with a layer of minced soya and a slice of cheese. Grill in a sandwich maker or on a flat griddle.
- You can brush the bread with melted butter if you want it to crisp.
- Serve with cucumber pickle on the side.
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vaishalisabnani says
The Damascus sandwich rocks ! The soya and cheese , the pickle and cucumbers on the side make it such a lovely healthy meal . And I can’t miss saying this again - yousure are a great planner !
Harini says
What a combination of soya mince and cheese in a sandwich. You sure are a multi-tasker. Hats off.
srividhya says
I love how the outer layer is thin. It is definitely a filling sandwich with cheese and soy.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Soya along with cashew paste will definitely be a rich version... Such a yummy sandwich
Priya Suresh says
Wow, this sandwich looks fabulous and filling at same side. Soya, cheese, pickle and cucumbers wow, just cant ask more. Fantastic Valli.
Sandhiya says
Damascus looks fantastic, it must be a treat for all soya lovers. Filling sounds rich, will give it a try with some kebab as fillings.!!!
Gayathri Kumar says
Such a beautiful sandwich. The filling of soy mince and cheese must be so yum. Great find Valli..
Pavani says
What a lovely sandwich this is Valli. Love the soy granule filling. Sounds hearty and delicious.
mayurisjikoni says
A different kind of sandwich. It looks lovely, though I would like to replace the soya with paneer.
cookingwithsapana says
I love the versatility of soya mince and how easily it can be replaced with meat. Love this simple yet inviting sandwich.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
If there is one thing I absolutely dislike, it has to be soya granules. Maybe because it resembled meat too closely, I have developed an aversion to it. I need to give it one more chance as I see all these recipes that use soya granules which my boys might like.
manjulabharathkumar2016 says
wow damascus sandwich have come out so well, I am loving the thin pockets with soya mince it must taste so delicious.. such an excellent recipe valli 🙂
Suma Gandlur says
Excellent substitution for vegetarians in this simple yet inviting sandwich.
Simply Tadka says
Sandwich looks so inviting and perfect solution for vegetarian.
Padmajha PJ says
Soya mince definitely is such a replacement for meat.My kids don't mind it when I make roti stuffed with this one.With cheese it should be delicious.The pickled cucumber sounds yum. Love how thin the Pita has turned out!