10 tasty sandwich ideas

How to make a perfect sandwich

 

A sandwich is often the speediest and the easiest option for a filling meal.  Most ingredients can be slapped between two slices of bread, as John Montagu, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich discovered in 1762.  The story goes, he did not want to leave the gaming table and asked for his roast beef to be placed between two slices of bread so that he could eat with his hands.  This said you can change the humdrum into the exceptional with a little thought and inventiveness.

 

Bread

Needs to be fresh (if not consider toasting it) and robust enough not to crumble to pieces.  In these days the variations are many.  Don’t limit yourselves to the ubiquitous bland sliced white and brown, think about flatbreads, rye, baps and soda bread.  Most hot sandwiches benefit from being toasted to make them more robust.

 

Spread

Butter, cream cheese, mayo or non-dairy spread adds a protective layer between a wet filling and the bread.  However, if you plan to eat the sandwich almost immediately it will not be as necessary.  That said, do remember that what you use can add to the deliciousness of a sandwich, imagine a smoked salmon sandwich without some lovely rich butter.

Main ingredient

Every story needs a star and your main ingredient should be in sufficient quantity to be the most resonant flavour.  Make sure you have enough to cover the entire piece of bread, so that every bite contains it.

 

Salad

Most sandwiches can be improved with the addition of some fresh, juicy and crispy salad e.g. leaves, tomato, cucumber, onion, carrot, beetroot and fennel, but they can make the sandwich wet, so take care to dry ingredients well so as not to add extra moisture.  This is a problem if the sandwich is not going to be eaten immediately.

 

Enhancers

Some piquancy really adds to making a sandwich memorable and delicious.  Check your fridge for some interesting additions; chutneys, mustards, gherkins, capers, pickles, olives, fresh herbs, lemon and horseradish.

 

Seasoning

Don’t forget to add salt and freshly ground black pepper, it will really bring out the flavours.

When making a sandwich do make sure that it is not so full that it is inedible without resorting to a knife and fork.  It should not make be so full that it falls apart otherwise it rather negates the reason for making a sandwich in the first place.

 

10 sandwich suggestions

 

Brie, bacon and red onion marmalade

Grill some bacon until it is crispy and allow to cool.  Slice some brie.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice – red onion marmalade, brie slices and crispy bacon – sandwich together.

 

Chicken katsu and Asian slaw

Mix some mild curry paste into some mayo.  Grill some breaded chicken until crispy and allow to cool.  To make the slaw finely shred some red or white cabbage, grate a carrot, finely slice a red onion and a chilli. Toss the vegetables in some lime juice and sesame oil and season to taste.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with the curried mayo, then add the breaded chicken and slaw.  Sandwich together.

 

Hummus, carrot and beetroot

Grate some carrots and slice some cooked beetroot.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with the hummus, add a layer of grated carrot and sliced beetroot.  Sandwich together.

 

Avocado, tomato and mozzarella

Peel and slice some avocado.  Slice some tomatoes and mozzarella.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice – pesto, mozzarella, avocado, tomato.  Sandwich together.

 

Smoked mackerel and horseradish

Break up some smoked mackerel fillets, removing any bones you might find.  Wash and dry some little gem lettuce.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread, add a layer of creamed horseradish, top with flaked mackerel and finish with little gem leaves.  Sandwich together.

 

Ham, goat’s cheese and apple

Core and slice an eating apple and dip in lemon juice to stop it browning.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread, add ham slices, crumbled goat’s cheese, apple slices and rocket.  Sandwich together.

 

Coronation egg

Hard-boil some eggs, shell and allow to cool.  Mix mayo with some mild curry paste.  Chop eggs and mix with the curried mayo.  Slice some tomatoes.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice – mango chutney, curried egg mayo mix, tomato slices.  Sandwich together.

 

Stilton, cranberry and walnut

Crumble some stilton and gently mix with some crème Fraiche.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice – cranberry sauce or jelly, stilton mix, crumbled walnuts.  Sandwich together.

 

Tuna Nicoise

Hard-boil some eggs, shell and allow to cool, slice.  Wash and dry some romaine lettuce.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with mayo.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice –drained tuna, egg slices, chopped stoned black olives, chopped anchovies, romaine lettuce.  Sandwich together.

 

Ploughman’s

Slice some well-flavoured cheddar.  Slice some red onion.  Slice some tomatoes.

Spread two slices of bread or both sides of a roll or flatbread with butter or spread.  Add the following layers to the bottom slice – sweet pickle, cheddar slices, red onion, tomatoes.  Sandwich together.