When did sandwiches go out of fashion? It was like one day everyone loved the classic BLT and the next there’s a hundred pins on Pinterest all titled… 50 lunch ideas- that aren’t sandwiches! What happened? I’m just gonna say it. If you’re in charge of packing lunches… BRING BACK THE SANDWICH!
Portable
Let’s have a quick history lesson shall we? John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich (that’s right, Sandwich is actually a place!) John was part of the British Royal navy in the 18th century. He took part in several military actions rising all the way to General. After retiring he served in politics. John here held several public offices. Unfortunately he was known to be incompetent in all of them.
That might be due to all the drinking and gambling he was doing. It’s said that he had such a gambling problem that he wouldn’t leave the card table even for meals some days. And thus he started requesting slices of meat to be brought in between pieces of toasted bread. This clever solution for hand held dining soon became popular among his fellow gamblers that they started asking for a “Sandwich”.
Now this account comes from The Hellfire Club, a high society secret club known for hard drinking and debauchery, so take it for what you will. There is however a more sober account for the sandwich’s creation that suggests this request was not first made at the card table but rather the desk while he was still in the Navy. I’ll let you decide what story to tell your friends.
Point is… if it’s good enough for a incompetent Earl with a gambling problem, it’s a good enough for me!
Side note- If you’re trying to avoid excessive plastic usage then a sandwich is perfect! Wrap it up in parchment paper or the like. No one accidentally tosses your expensive beeswax cloths or forgets their lunch container in the car for a month. (true story)
Versatile
I don’t do short order cooking but I can definitely be bothered to avoid mustard on one child’s sandwich or put extra tomato on the others. That’s the beauty of packing sandwiches. I can decide both kids are getting deli sandwiches but they each get what they’ll actually eat.
I don’t care who you are, there’s a handful of sandwiches you actually enjoy eating. Even if you haven’t tried them all yet.
Let’s pretend you’re at Subway just… it your kitchen, ok?
Bread
Do you go classic sliced bread? White, whole wheat, honey wheat, rye? Maybe you prefer a sub sandwich. Or how about a brioche bun? Toasted or not?
Condiments
Don’t stick to just mayo and mustard. Try specific kinds of mustard. Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, marinara, sweet onion sauce, pesto. How about baconaise! That’s mayo where you emulsify bacon fat instead of oil.
Let’s mention more that wet add ins too. Like maybe some dried oregano. Or basil leaves. And please don’t skip the salt and pepper.
Protein
What kinds of meat do you have around? Maybe some deli turkey? Leftover chicken or smoked ham is good. How about pepperoni? No meat maybe? Hello, egg salad!
Cheese
What’s your favorite? Provolone is a all around favorite here. I also love swiss and gouda. Cody likes cheddar and pepper jack. Did you want to melt it? What about a toasted mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwich? That sounds incredible.
Veggies
Don’t stop at meat and cheese! Try some spinach leaves, or roasted bell peppers. Pickled banana peppers. Marinated artichoke hearts anyone?
Heat things up
What about paninis? Who doesn’t love a toasty pressed sandwich? I got our panini press for around $20 and boy was it a great investment! I use it at least twice a week. Admittedly for more than paninis. Think toasted breakfast burritos and such.
Even if you don’t have a panini maker there are still a myriad of options to add more variety to your sandwich making game. Simply treating it like a grilled cheese would be good. Toasting under the broiler open-faced would heat the insides up.
Or you could make up your fillings in a pan and transfer to a sub roll. Think Philly Cheesesteaks, Meatball Subs and Buffalo chicken sandwiches.
Ideas to get you started
- Philly Cheesesteaks
- Meatball Subs
- Buffalo chicken
- Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- BLT
- Italian Sub
- Hot Italian Sub
- Toasted Ham, Swiss and oregano
- Turkey and Bacon Club
- Grilled or fried chicken
- BBQ chicken and pepperjack
- Italian Sausage and peppers with Marinara
- White fish and coleslaw
- Cubano
- Grilled Cheese
- Jalapeno popper grilled cheese
- French Dips
- Chicken salad sandwich
- Breakfast in a bagel
- Tuna melt
- Mushroom swiss melt
- Rueben
- Bacon, turkey and avocado
- Thanksgiving leftovers (turkey, cranberry and brie)
- Roasted eggplant with mozzarella and marinara
- Cucumber and cream cheese
- Banh Mi
- Pulled Pork
- Chicken Caesar
