Sandwich

Sandwich is a ubiquitous dish that is made practically in every household across the world and is extremely famous among both the adults and the kids. Ideally sandwiches are packed and taken to work, school or even to picnics. Sandwich refers to a filling stuffed between two slices of bread or even added as toppings on a single piece of bread. The filling in the sandwich is made from a variety of different kinds of vegetables, meats, cheeses and sauces.

 

Origin of Sandwich Recipes

The origin of the sandwich can be traced to the Neolithic Age, when bread was eaten with accompaniments like meat or vegetables. Even in the Middle Ages, thick and coarse or stale bread was consumed. The English sandwich was discovered during the 17th century in Netherlands where thin slices of beef were layered upon buttered slices of bread.

 

Originally, sandwiches were food that men shared during gaming or drinking at night and then gradually it was introduced to the aristocracy class where it was served as a late-night meal. In Spain and England, sandwiches gained immense popularity during the 19th century when industrialization witnessed rapid growth. By the 20th century, in the United States, sandwich had become a staple part of the diet and was regarded as one of the quickest and easiest meals to prepare.

 

Ingredients Prescribed for Sandwich Recipes

A sandwich can consists of any number of ingredients. Ideally a certain kind of bread is used which is then filled with layers of different kinds of meats, vegetables and cheeses. The sandwich bread is ideally the white bread, whole wheat bread or multigrain bread. One can make sandwiches with any kind of bread that one prefers. Sandwiches can be layered with butter, mustard or even different kinds of sauces and then a variety of salad vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, gherkins, jalapenos, cooked potatoes, lettuce, onions, corn etc. Some of the meats that are usually added include chicken, beef, sausages, salami, lam etc. Popular Method of Preparation of Sandwich A sandwich is basically two slices of bread that is layered with one or more fillings between them. A sandwich can also be one slice of bread with various toppings and this kind of sandwich is called an open sandwich. Sandwiches can even be grilled or toasted and eaten warm or consumed in their original forms.

 

Serving and Eating Sandwich Dishes

Sandwiches can be served as small or large sandwiches. Small sandwiches are usually equivalent to a bite size or a size of a canapé. Large sandwiches can be sandwiches prepared from loaf of bread or two slices of bread and cut into two halves. Ideally most submarine sandwiches are regarded as large sandwiches.

 

Types of Sandwiches

Sandwiches can be of a variety of different types. Broadly following are some of the most common and popular types of sandwiches that are available world over: Club Sandwich: This is an extremely popular type of sandwich, which contains cooked chicken breast, bacon, lettuce and tomato. These ingredients are added between two or three slices of toasted bread with mayonnaise. Cuban Sandwiches: In Miami, Florida, the Cuban grilled sandwiches are quite a favorite and are usually served in a submarine-style and contain layers of ham, roast pork, cheese and pickles between slices of Cuban bread. Finger Sandwiches for Tea: Finger sandwiches are literally small sandwiches made from thinly sliced sandwich bread. A layer of butter is applied to seal the bread and the crusts are always removed. The sandwich can be filled with seafood salad, egg salad, cream cheese and cucumber and turkey or chicken salad.

 

Special Sandwich Dishes

Gyro is a Greek pita bread sandwich and it is quite filling and scrumptious. Greek gyro sandwich is made with lamb or beef meat and can be accompanied by other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions and tzzatziki sauce.

 

Variations of Sandwiches

One of the most popular variations of the sandwich is the hot dog. Hot dog sandwiches are also known as frankfurters, weenie, wiener, frank and red-hot. A cooked sausage made from a combination of beef and pork which are cured, smoked and cooked is placed between soft, sliced hot dog bun. The hot dog sandwich is usually garnished with mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, cheese, bacon or chili.

 

Health and Nutrition Facts about Sandwiches

A sandwich if properly prepared with the right mix of ingredients can offer all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. A sandwich prepared from whole wheat bread and layered with nutrient rich vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, beetroot can make a healthy lunchtime meal. Even lean meats or certain seafood sandwiches are also healthy alternatives. In contrast to these, a sandwich like hot dog or the Big Mac hamburger are full of calories and do not contribute much in terms of nutrient value.

 

Famous Sandwich Recipes Sandwich recipes are of many kinds, however some of the most famous sandwich recipes are the ones listed below:

 

a) Cheese Sandwich – Cheese sandwich consists of a filling of cheese between two slices of bread. The sandwich can be toasted or grilled to create a grilled cheese sandwich.

 

b) Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwich – Waldorf chicken salad sandwich is a sandwich consisting of two slices of bread filled with a stuffing of chicken salad.

 

c) Poor Boy Sandwich – Poor Boy Sandwich was first prepared in the state of Louisiana and it is a kind of a submarine sandwich. This sandwich comprises of a filling made from fried meat or seafood and stuffed within a baguette like bread.

 

d) Monte Cristo Sandwich – This sandwich is a fried sandwich and contains a filling of turkey or ham.

 

e) Reuben Sandwich – Reuben sandwich is made from a mixture of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing. This mixture is stuffed between two slices of rye bread and grilled.

 

Sandwich Trivia

John Montague, the 4th earl of Sandwich is known to have invented the sandwich so that his gambling sessions were not interrupted.