Switch up Your Sandwich Game
Take a look at a few sandwiches that deserve your attention
Seated around a card table was a man, an Earl of the land. The card game he played stretched long into the night. As hunger gnawed at his spirit, he called out for his most trusted servant to provide nourishment.
However, time and table space were limited. He needed something small and compact—perhaps even handheld.
Growing increasingly frustrated with his servant's frantic suggestions, an idea sparked in the Earl's mind. Bread, he thought, he needed bread, but not just bread.
He instructed his servant to take the meat from a proper dinner and place it between two slices of bread for a quick, easy, handheld meal.
This man's name was John Montagu, and he is credited with creating what we now know as the Sandwich.
John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich in 1792. He may have invented the sandwich or just made it popular, whatever the case it’s a good story and a great intro to my Top 3 sandwiches that you need to try.
The Kentucky Hot Brown
No, this sandwich doesn’t have a sexy name. Still, it has a punch of flavor that is rivaled by very few others, and if you stayed at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1930s, then you probably know what I’m talking about. Still, if you were there then, you would also be very old by now, if not you may be asking yourself, what is a Kentucky Hot Brown?
The Kentucky Hot Brown was created at the aforementioned Brown Hotel in 1926 by a guy named Fred K. Schmidt, a sandwich revolutionary. Guests of the Brown Hotel favored his sandwich over all others on the hotel’s menu, over 95% of the hotel’s guests of that time tried this famous sandwich.
What ingredients make up a Kentucky Hot Brown?
The Kentucky Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich traditionally eaten with a knife and fork.
To prepare it, start by toasting two pieces of quality white bread. Next, cook several pieces of bacon until they're extra crispy but not burnt. You'll also need a Mornay Sauce recipe, which is essential for this dish, as well as slices of roasted turkey and ripe tomatoes.
Assemble the sandwich by laying the toasted bread on a baking sheet or oven-safe skillet (cast iron works well). Arrange the turkey on top of the bread, followed by a few slices of crispy bacon.
Pour a generous amount of Mornay sauce over the sandwiches, covering all of the turkey and bacon and then some.
Once assembled and sauced, broil the sandwiches until they're hot and bubbly, being careful not to burn them. When they're golden brown, remove them from the oven and add the tomato slices. Garnish with grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese for an extra touch of flavor. There are many variations of this sandwich, and it's worth trying at least one version in your lifetime.
The Australian Salad Sandwich
Upon first impressions, the Australian Salad Sandwich may initially seem lacking in meat, but rest assured, it’s packed with flavor. With its salty, sour, sweet, and umami flavors, it creates a symphony of pleasure in your mouth, reminiscent of a good burger, just without the meat.
This sandwich once graced Aussie households and cafeterias as frequently as PB&J does in the United States. Its origins are hard to pinpoint but it has been said that it can be traced back to a Norwegian meal brought to Australia in the 1940s.
The basic ingredients typically include lettuce, tomato, cucumber, grated carrot, cheese, mayonnaise, and sometimes boiled eggs, all sandwiched between two slices of whatever bread you like.
Key elements of this sandwich include but are not limited to:
Lettuce: Adds crispiness and freshness.
Tomato: Provides juiciness and flavor.
Cucumber: Adds a crunchy texture.
Grated Carrot: Adds color, texture, and sweetness.
Cheese: Adds creaminess and flavor.
Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and richness.
Pickled Beets (AKA Beetroot): A key ingredient that brings the sandwich together. No beets = Bad Sandwich!
Optional ingredients can include sliced onions, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, or pickles, depending on preference and availability. It's a simple sandwich made from basic ingredients found in most refrigerators, with endless possibilities and flavor combinations.
Banh Mi Sandwich
What's the story behind the Banh Mi Sandwich?
The Banh Mi Sandwich pronounced as "bun mee," is a fusion of French baguette and Vietnamese ingredients, ranging from lemongrass pork to salmon pate to fried tofu. It encapsulates the flavor explosion of a bowl of Pho in a crusty roll.
Originating as cheap Vietnamese street food over one hundred years ago, it began as a simple take on the French snack of pate and bread but has since evolved into its own culinary sensation.
For the full Banh Mi experience I recommend a book called The banh mi Handbook by Andrea Nguyen, she does a great job of showing the variety of Banh Mi.
My first Banh Mi experience occurred about a decade ago when I was moving to a smaller town with my wife and baby son. Suddenly a fierce hunger struck me like a lightning bolt straight through my soul.
I stopped at a roadside restaurant with a sign that read "Bubble Tea." When I walked in, the familiar smell of grilled meat and fryer oil was in the air. I was expecting something like teriyaki or spring rolls, something of that nature. But when I saw the menu I was intrigued by an item listed as "Vietnamese Sandwich" priced extremely low at, $4.50.
At that price, I ordered five of them as I had people to feed, but I figured they would be on the smaller side. No, I was wrong!
To my surprise, the sandwiches were packed full of grilled meats alongside fresh and pickled vegetables. My chef brain couldn’t comprehend how they made a profit at such a low price for such a sizable meal. This was just about the cheapest lunch I’ve ever eaten, and it is probably one of the best as well.
Later that day, I decided to search for "Vietnamese Sandwich" online. It was then that I discovered the proper name of the amazing sandwich I had enjoyed for lunch earlier.
Since then, whenever I encounter a restaurant, food truck, or street vendor offering Banh Mi, I make it a point to sample their version.
While some may surpass others in quality, and that initial experience was the most affordable, each iteration typically boasts its own distinctive qualities, contributing to the Banh Mi's status as a truly special sandwich.
The Banh Mi has been part of the American food scene for a while now and if you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out.
Nice one today!
The Kentucky Hot Brown reminds me of a croque monsieur... I'm sure that was a part of the inspiration, but it really does kick it up a notch too.
It's fun to think about the origin story of sandwiches, although of course humans have been picking things up with bread for like 6000 years... but leave it to the imperial British to claim credit for everything!
I love sandwiches. Thanks for these ideas. I’ll be trying them for sure.