Salami is my favourite option for a delicious lunch or dinner. Even though people love to eat salamis between two slices of bread, I like to make delicious pairings by way of bringing some refreshing twists in layering salami and other ingredients. Whether it be a sandwich, pizza or a salad, you can add so many amazing things to your main dish to make it much more interesting. Here, we share these recipes with you —  

1. Salami cream cheese turnover 

Are you looking for a change from the same old salami sandwich? Here’s a desi version of a turnover for you. While turnovers are made using baked pastry in western food culture, we decided to do it the simple but lip-smacking way by using a kulcha. 

INGREDIENTS

- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

- 1 cup lettuce leaves

- 1 cup shredded salami

- 1 tablespoon cream cheese

- 1 tomato, diced 

- 1 teaspoon lemon juice 

- 1 kulcha 

- Oil, to sauté

METHOD

- Combine lettuce leaves, shredded salami, tomatoes and salami slices. 

- Add a dollop of cream cheese in the bowl. 

- Mix everything properly. 

- Optional: add a teaspoon of lemon juice in the filling. 

- Next, heat oil in a shallow pan. 

- When the oil is hot enough, then put the kulcha in the pan. 

- The purpose is to make it warm. 

- Turn it on the other side in 15 seconds. 

- Please do not crisp it up too much, or it may be able to hold the salami cream cheese filling. 

- Once the kulcha is ready, carefully put the filling in the centre. 

- Top with black sesame seeds.

- Now fold the kulcha from the ends to make a crescent. 

- Serve. 

2.  Chilli chicken salami

Here’s an innovative recipe for fans of Indian-Chinese food. While chicken fried rice and chicken manchurian are saviours for those midnight cravings, we recommend this chilli chicken salami recipe that will get you hooked. You may use any other meat if you want. 

INGREDIENTS

- 10 chicken salamis

- 1 capsicum, chopped  

- 1 onion, chopped 

- 2-3 green chillis

- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

- 1 tablespoon hot and sweet sauce

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1 tablespoon vinegar

- 2 tablespoons cornflour 

- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 

- Salt, to taste 

- Oil, to fry and sauté

METHOD 

- In a mixing bowl, combine cornflour, all-purpose flour and green chillis. 

- Heat oil in a cooking vessel. 

- Dip the salamis in the batter and fry. 

- Once the salamis turn golden, remove them from oil.

- Set aside. 

- In a shallow pan, heat some oil. 

- Once the oil begins to sizzle, add ginger-garlic paste, capsicum and onions. 

- Add dark soy sauce along with vinegar, hot and sweet sauce. Mix with a spatula. 

- Coat everything properly in the sauces. 

- Add the salamis. 

- Optional: Mix 1/2 tablespoon cornflour and water in a bowl. Add the slurry to the pan. 

- Add salt if necessary. 

- Serve. 

3. Salami salad

While there are many ways to use salami in Indian dishes, we just cannot get enough of this salad recipe. We wanted to give you something that will not be a fuss to make. If you love salami as much as we do, then you will never get bored of experimenting with this salad. Go ahead, add any other toppings you wish. 

INGREDIENTS

- 3 salamis 

- 1 cup lettuce

- 1 capsicum 

- 1/2 cup olives

- 1 broccoli floret, chopped 

- 1 cup corn

- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

- 1 teaspoon oregano

- 1/2 tablespoon sour cream

METHOD

- Combine lettuce, capsicum, olives, broccoli, corn in a bowl. 

- Add a dollop of sour cream. 

- Coat the vegetables in sour cream evenly. 

- Add chilli flakes and oregano. 

- Serve. 

We hope that you’ll enjoy these recipes! 

Photo: Mathew Schwartz