sizzlers!

Sizzlers is a special dish, a Bombay treat. Sizzlers, the Breach Candy sandwich, pav bhaaji, hot, soft paneer tikka- these are all the foods I crave on the 16 hour plane ride across the world. My desire to visit India is always doubled by the possibility of stuffing myself silly on Bombay’s khanna.

While there are entire restaurants devoted to Sizzlers in Bombay, I’ve never seen them served anywhere in America- until 3 days ago, when I had them at Wild Ginger. In Bombay, I’ve eaten them most frequently at my masi’s house. Sitting around the table, each family member gives orders for what we want on our sizzling platter, choosing 5 or so ingredients out of a delicious list that includes bananas, cutlets, peas, paneer, peppers (red, green, yellow), pineapple, tomatoes, onions, and french fries. About ten minutes later, scorching iron skillets are carried into the room, our choices bubbling and fuming under the blanket of a slightly sweet, smoky sauce.

The sizzlers, or the “Soy Cutlet Sizzling Platter with Black Bean Sauce” at Wild Ginger was the same idea.

Stewed, and slightly charred tomatoes; sweet green peas; succulent heads of broccoli, and the soy cutlets- oh, I am so in love with these soy cutlets. They were firm and juicy- crispy, blackened outer skin, the black-bean sauce enabling them and the other veggies stick a little to the skillet, and tender, chewy insides. I adored this dish. Just like the sizzlers of my Bombay memories, I had a variety of juicy flavors and textures to slowly eat my way through, all fiery hot and laced with sauce. I want to go back to Wild Ginger for so many more meals- and the next things to try are the Seitan Skewers with Satay Sauce and the Basil Soy Protein with Asparagus and Zucchini.

Soy Cutlet Sizzling Platter: $12
Wild Ginger is at 380 Broome Street, New York, NY.