What is a SANDWICH

What is a SANDWICH?

Now, this is a loaded question if I’ve heard one! The variety is infinite. The size can be tiny, or the size can be humongous. The only limitation to any of them is the creator’s imagination. And, trust me, I have a pretty good imagination.

So let’s venture off (I love that word ‘venture’) and take a gander at some generic and creative SANDWICHES!

As a child, the most likely first sandwich you got was the iconic PB&J – peanut butter & jelly. I know I was. It was classic, smooth peanut butter on one side of a piece of classic white sandwich bread and more than likely a good dollop of grape jelly on the other slice of classic white sandwich bread.

Am I right? But I’m assuming, folks, I’m sorry. I’m American, so this is an American assumption.

A heartwarming rite of passage in our home was when our grandson, Niko, made his first PB&J all by himself at the age of four, I believe. We even took a picture for posterity. I’ll make sure (if I’m still around) that it gets incorporated in any wedding video played at his reception.

What’s the next sandwich I can remember as a youngster that was common and popular? Well, that’s a toss-up. I loved baloney sandwiches, and I loved ham sandwiches. Again, a simple slice of meat, mayonnaise, and classic white sandwich bread. Mom and my Aunt Geneva would buy a loaf of bread, a package of ham, and make a bag full of ham sandwiches to take on road trips for me, my sister, and my three cousins. It was a wonderful time in life.

Who can forget their first HAMBURGER?! Was it a family cookout? Was it a trip to the local diner? How about that hamburger joint where you went with your best friend or boyfriend or girlfriend? You shared a milkshake and fries, but never the burger! I may have to write a whole story on hamburgers alone to share my love of them! (Remind me to share a more ‘risque’ store about french fries in another story…)

So that’s four classics; let’s go outside the boundaries of classic creation and get a little more artistic with our food. Let’s get away from the norm and consider the immense variations. Not only the foundation but the condiments, meats (or lack thereof), vegetables, fruits (?), the preparation – oh my, this could get out of hand!

FOUNDATION

Let me clarify. Using the term ‘foundation’ isn’t exclusive to bread. The foundation of a sandwich can be anything substantial enough to hold other elements. Bread is most common and probably the most varied. But how many of you have had a sandwich made with a leaf of romaine lettuce? Delicious, huh? Let’s make a quick list of some other bread and non-bread foundation elements:

1. Tortilla shells – flour and corn (I’m a flour girl, myself)

2. Pita Bread – love a good pocket sandwich

3. Sourdough Bread – can you taste that little ‘tang’ in the back of your mouth?

4. Romaine lettuce – it bears repeating that a simple leaf is lovely

5. Rice paper – YES! Spring rolls can be considered a sandwich, at least in my world

6. Wraps – definitely!

7. Whole Wheat Bread

8. Challah – I love the sweet, soft Jewish staple

9. Brioche – a close French cousin to the challah

10. Soda Bread – a beautiful, unique Irish staple

This list is extremely limited, so please use your imagination and creative self to think of others and feel free to share them with me!

CONDIMENTS

My next favorite element of a sandwich. Mayo or no mayo. Mustard or no mustard. Ketchup. Aoli. Relish. Horseradish. Salad Dressing. Salsa. Chutneys. Tartar. Hot sauce. Jelly. Jam. My mind is truly wandering at this point.

MEATS

I guess you could also call this topic PROTEINS if you included options like peanut butter, eggs, or even hummus, but I prefer to concentrate on the real MEAT of the matter (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

1. For a solid, carnivorous sandwich, you can’t beat a Beef Burger. Quarter pound, a half-pound, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s good Beef!

2. Tuna Fish – yes, there’s a lot of us who love a good tuna fish salad sandwich!

3. Chicken – grilled, fried, salad, or sliced

4. Pastrami – Y*U*M

5. Roast Beef – hot, cold, sliced, chunks; I’ll take it all!

6. Ham – thick, thin, smoked, honey-baked, take your pick

7. Turkey – roasted, smoked, etc.

8. Bologna or Baloney or whatever

9. Corned Beef

10. And there are so many delicious Italian sandwich meats – salami, prosciutto, pancetta, lardo, capocollo – is your mouth watering yet?

These are the tip of the iceberg for meats or proteins – all dictated by your tastes and preferences. I love them all!

VEGETABLES

The variety of vegetables you can put on your “samwich” is also practically infinite – let’s look at the classic and the interesting:

1. Lettuce – iceberg, romaine, butter, all good as long as it has a crunch

2. Tomatoes – a slice or two is delish

3. Pickles/Cucumbers – yum all the way

4. Onions – yellow, purple, red, Vidalia…

5. Peppers – have you ever had a slice of sweet bell pepper on a sandwich? (got you thinking now, huh? I’ve GOT to try this!)

6. Avocado – oh yes! You don’t have to be Californian to love a rich, thick slice of the green goddess on your sandwich.

7. Sprouts – another interesting option

8. Olives – green is my favorite, what’s yours?

FRUITS

Yes! Fruits are an option as a topping or even the main ingredient for an awesome sandwich! That little taste of tangy, sweet apple can perk up a turkey sandwich – or even a dollop (love that word!) of cranberry sauce! How many of us grew up on tuna fish and apples? It’s one of my favorite comfort foods.

Now, take a moment and Google “sandwich fruits” – the first thing that popped up when I did was “Japanese Fruit Sandwich.” The pictures alone make me want to hop on the first flight to Tokyo! Japanese milk bread (shokupan), whipped cream, and luscious fruits (strawberries, kiwis, mandarin oranges, grapes, whatever is seasonal). Oh my goodness, they look so amazing!

PREPARATION

The majority of our most popular sandwiches are simply a foundation, condiments, meats, and vegetables. However, some of the most iconic sandwiches include heat – who hasn’t loved a hot, melty grilled cheese? Or a classic panini with its signature grilled stripes? How about a muffuletta with its olive relish, rich meats, pressed to let the olive juice soak in the bread?

With or without heat, with or without classic white bread, sandwiches are a global food staple. No, not a staple; they’re more of a necessity. I didn’t delve into the history of sandwiches because it’s not relative to this article. I only wanted to explore the diversity and love of all things sandwich.

If you have a favorite or a classic family sandwich creation, please share with the world – you may create a new classic!

Here are a few to consider if you get the urge for something different. Check ‘em out!

1. Fluffernutters

2. PB&B (Peanut Butter & Bananas)

3. Monte Cristo

4. Gerber

5. Sub

6. Dagwood

7. Beef on weck

8. Cheesesteak

9. Club

10. Luther Burger

Happy Eating!