Home » Food & Drink » Culinary Q & A » The Sandwich as an Art Form

The Sandwich as an Art Form

© Vickie McCorkendale

Ah, lunchtime. The mundane meal of the day. But it doesn't have to be. With some creative flair the typical home made lunch can really pack a punch!

The choices of bread available to today's consumers make for an array of canvases for unique creations. From chibatta to olive bread, baguette to country potato, pita to tortilla, this first choice can go a long way in making a dull sandwich come to life.

The trick to making a good sandwich is to plan ahead, at least a little. Stock your kitchen with good quality ingredients and the ideas will flow, Items to consider when stocking your pantry:

• Breads
  For the novice: take advantage of your local grocery store's bakery section
  For the adventurous: visit a local artisan baker
• Spreads
  For the novice: best quality mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pre-made pesto
  For the adventurous: make your own mayonnaise, aoili, creamy salad dressings; explore the ethnic section of your favorite grocery store
• Produce
  For the novice: keep tomatoes, red onions, and the lettuce of your choice on hand
  For the adventurous: use the novice suggestions as a starting point and get creative (Roma tomatoes, frisee lettuce); Avocados are an excellent addition to the sandwich makers cupboard
• Protein
  For the novice: use your leftovers (roasted chicken, pork or beef); stock cans of tuna; deli meats and cheeses
  For the adventurous: take a trip to the ethnic deli and explore! Prosciutto; cooked bacon; cheeses from the world (goat, sheep and cow's milk)

To help get your creative juices flowing, here are some of my favorite combinations.

Salad-Style

Dilled Tuna with Green Olives
Curried Chicken with Raisins and Chutney
Roasted Chicken Salad with Almonds, Celery and Yogurt
Herbed (tarragon or chives or thyme) Tuna Salad
Mustard Chicken Salad with Chives

Vegetarian

Cucumber, Jack cheese, Sprouts and Tomato
Olivada, Roasted Peppers and Mozzarella on Hearty Rustic Bread
Tomato, Avocado and Pepper Jack Cheese

Creative Combinations

Cream Cheese, Thinly Sliced Apples on Cinnamon Raisin Bread with Honey
Roast Beef, Horseradish and Arugula

Updated Classics

Bacon, Baby Lettuces, Roma Tomatoes and Avocado on Olive Bread
Grilled Pepper Jack Cheese on Hearty White with Tomatoes and/or Cooked Bacon
Prosciutto and Goat Cheese with Lettuce on Hearty Italian Bread

Tortilla Wraps

Roast Beef, Hoisin and Tabasco Sauces, Thin Strips of Celery and Green Onions on Whole Wheat Tortillas
Roast Beef, Mayonnaise and Horseradish, Avocado and Green Onions
A Hot Dog with all the Trimmings!

Please, share your own creations in the discussion area below!

The copyright of the article The Sandwich as an Art Form in Culinary Q & A is owned by Vickie McCorkendale. Permission to republish The Sandwich as an Art Form in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.