Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Between the slices

Sandwiches don't have to be boring affairs. We tell you how to put the zing into this summertime fare ...

Summer is the perfect season for eating without cooking. And what better than sandwiches to quell your hunger and still not have you sweating it out ove r a hot stove. But these don't have to be merely tomatoes and cucumber in white bread or boring cheese and chutney. With the right ingredients and some imagination, sandwiches can be a gourmet meal.

The bread is all important. Throw away the sliced white bread in plastic packets. Good chewy bread with lots of texture and add-ons like multigrain, seeds and nuts is what you are looking for. If you have access to freshly baked baguettes, do use them. Panini and foccaccia are also great bases on which to build a sandwich.

Then, you will need something to slap on the bread. I think there's nothing better than butter – salted, fresh, and creamy. The other day I had at a French-style café a simple sandwich of ham and emmental in a well-buttered baguette. It was h eavenly! Do not even consider margarine, not even if you've been duped into believing it's good for your health. Some fillings work well with mayo; here again, eschew light and low-cal versions and go for the real thing. The taste is its own reward.

Other spreads, such as pesto, sun dried tomato paste and all form the base of your sandwich.
Next, you should focus on your main ingredients. Will it be cheese or cold meats, roast meats, grilled veggies such as peppers, eggs or something out of a can, such as tuna in brine? Take your pick and play with the things you will add on.

Some salad greens, chopped celery or a slice of crisp cucumber can add texture to your sandwich filling. Perk things up some more with gherkins, capers or jalapeno peppers.

Grill yo ur sandwich if you want a warm meal. There's nothing as good as some melting cheese in a grilled sandwich. And now, here are some sandwich filling combinations to get you started:

- Hummous topped with black olives and jalapeno.
- Tuna, flaked, blended with soft butter, with a dash of lemon juice and pepper; add some celery bits for crunch.
- Hard boiled eggs, mashed with mayo and some fresh herbs such as parsley.
- Sliced, grilled chicken with mayo and some fresh mango or mango chutney.
- Ham, cheese and a dash of mustard.
- Slices of beetroot on buttered bread with mustard.
- Masala omelette on well-buttered bread.
- Mashed avocado with lemon juice, coarse salt and freshly milled pepper.
- The classic of grilled bacon, lettuce and tomato on mayonnaise.


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