Loaded Beef Sandwich When You Are On A Hunger Strike!

After several years of struggle against the British rule, Gandhi led India to freedom by means of non violent protests and ahimsa. He often fasted as a form of political protest, and there are many in the country who try to achieve political reform by following in his footsteps - fasting (until death or) till their demands are met. 

Is it surprising that there is at least one Gandhian within each family, people who have been influenced by the Gandhis and the Hazares of our nation, and shun food to show their protest against wives, parents, siblings, and friends? They aim not to put an end to corruption and inequality, but 

• to placate their egos by making whoever "wronged" them apologize, 
• to force others to agree with their view point when arguments arise, 
• to express protest against the system wherein the system could be parents who want the Gandhians to spend more time on their studies, dress modestly, choose better friends, get rid of their boyfriends/girlfriends etc etc,
• Or for gain. Know anyone who went on a hunger strike so as to get a bike or more pocket money or a fancy mobile phone?

3 or 4 days into the fast, and dizziness sets in. It is at this point that the others start begging and pleading with our Gandhian to put an end to the strike and have some food. Even though his demands may not have been met, the 'pleases', the 'I am sorries', the 'if you love mes' and the 'I won’t eat if you won’t eats' (plus the smell of all that yummy food and the rumbles in his stomach) soothe him. He finally gives in and materializes at the dining table with that 'if you insist' expression on his face which drives the others crazy (though they wisely keep their silence).

I would say that the Gandhians described above are not very smart (except if they do get the bike or the pocket money). But if they starve for their pride, do they not know from previous experience that they will ultimately have to succumb to the human weakness called hunger? And why wait for 3-4 days to faint; can't they pretend to be sick on the second day itself? For all these reasons, I prefer the second class of Gandhians. These are the people who do not eat regular meals when the situation warrants a hunger strike, no way, but they do stock up light snacks such as biscuits and bananas in their room or get up in the middle of the night to make scrumptious sandwiches, juicy burgers and tall glasses of lemonade. The smell of these sandwiches and burgers wake up the entire household and probably the neighbours too, but our friend is definitely not in a mood to share. Now you tell me, is there a better way to avenge  all those villains and keep your tummy happy while you are on a hunger strike?

Let me share a sandwich recipe with you. Its aroma has awakened me several times at unholy hours, has made me tiptoe to the kitchen where all the action was and back to bed with scenes of biting into all the yummy stuff floating through my head (scenes which have revisited me in my dreams when I finally managed to get some sleep). It was usually made of leftovers, but I will start fresh for your sake. This sandwich may make your body groan in protest, but it will definitely put a smile on your face.

Ingredients:

For the beef strips:
400 grams beef
11/2 teaspoon red chili powder
3/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1/4 cup oil (any refined cooking oil)
1 cup thin long onion slices
To taste, salt

For salad:
1 cup pineapple, finely chopped
1/2 cup tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
A handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
To taste, salt and pepper

4 burger buns/sausage rolls/baguettes
A few drops of hot chili sauce

Method:


Cut the beef into thin strips. Mix all the ingredients for the beef strips together except oil and onion slices, and let the beef marinate for half an hour.

Heat oil in a pan. Fry the beef till it is cooked to your liking. Remove from oil and shred.

Add the chopped onions to the same oil, and fry till over medium heat till brown and crisp. Scoop out fried onion with a slotted spoon and keep aside.

Mix together all the ingredients for the salad, seasoning as required.

To assemble the sandwich, cut the rolls in half lengthwise. Pile on a fourth of the salad, followed by fried onions and beef on each half. Drizzle a few drops of hot chili sauce. 

Bye!

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