Marquette, Michigan – I Love sandwiches! They’re probably my favorite food, good thing as I try to eat one every day. When I worked tower construction I did eat sandwiches every day, but it’s been more difficult for me this past winter. (In fact I feel like I’m in a total lunch lull.)
So how can I eat, or try to eat a sandwich every day and not get bored with them. I follow a few simple guide lines to keep my sandwiches spiced up and tasting good.
First thing to consider is the bread.
Bad bread can make or break a sandwich. I’ve tried a ton of different breads looking for just the right kind. I’ve tried gluten free, multi grain, white, buns, bakery fresh…. the list goes on and on. I’ve found a dense yet soft multi grain with a sturdy crust to be the best. It has to hold up to being eaten by hand, not crumble and of course taste good. Lately I’ve seen quite a few gluten free breads that actually aren’t terrible.
Second is the MEAT.
I try to vary proteins as much as I can. My favorite is ham, but introducing some salami or a good lean turkey can really make a sandwich pop. An amazing trick from my wife is to pan fry them to transform the an ordinary sandwich into a great warm meal that’s perfect for a cold day. You can also melt your cheese on there. Speaking of cheese, let’s get to number 3.
Cheese is third on the list but can be a deal breaker.
My heritage is Dutch, so I know my cheeses. To keep true to my ancestors I often select a smoked Gouda. But depending on the day and meat choice, the Sharpest Cheddar I can find comes in at a close second the the Gouda King!
Veggies… Not required for me, but take sandwiches to the next level.
I almost always have lettuce on my sandwiches and oh my what a tomato can do to brighten it up. (Tip – I put salt and black pepper on the tomato so it stays put and shows up in every bite.) I’ve had to go without veggies on many occasions, and I was fine. But it’s really fun to ad a level of crunch here, even with a simple pickle you can texturally transform the dish and will find yourself looking for another bite. Don’t be a veggie hater, get it on that plate. ;-)
Finally, it’s all about the Sauce.
Mustard, Mayo, or maybe your Top Secrete Super Sauce…. I have to have something to tie it all together. What I choose depends on how well I’ve put together the first four in the list. If the breads very fresh I don’t use as much and a juicy tomato can go along way to help with the moisture content. The top condiment for me has always been plain yellow mustard! (Boring I know… but a classic)
So, to break your lunch time lull try out a few of my tried and true sandwich fixes. And here’s one more – If you’re trying to watch your calories, drop one piece of meat out, add another leaf of lettuce, skip the fatty dressing, and be sure to ad some cracked pepper.