Sandwich is the easiest thing you can fix yourself in the morning. A PBJ or classic coleslaw is great when you are short on time. But take it a step further and indulge in some easy yet gourmet sandwich recipes that will add an extra oomph to your days!
Building the perfect Sandwich
I think sandwiches are all about getting the balance right! A loaf of bread complementing the filling and a generous dressing so it doesn’t end up being too dry. Many sandwiches are so OTT that they end up falling apart on the first bite. Getting a little messy is paramount, but I like to keep it balanced. Drooled over the sight of those crazy sandwiches from Katz’ while bingeing on Marvelous Mrs Maisel? Well, they are absolutely worth it. But what makes a perfect sandwich? And how can you build one at home?
- Bread – You have to choose the right kind of bread, to begin with. Be it a baguette, sourdough, milk, brioche. And then comes the thickness, prefer a loaf over pre-sliced bread to control the thickness you desire.
- Protein or meats – Cold cuts, salami, bacon, eggs – these are what add life to an otherwise regular sandwich. Choose premium quality cuts for the best results. That being said, mushrooms
- Cheese – What is life without some brilliant cheese? Over the years, India has had sort of a cheese revolution – with many homegrown brands mushrooming. And International gourmet cheese is being made widely available by Foodhall and Flander’s.
- Dressing – Many people forget that dressing not only brings and holds your sandwich together but also adds a lot of flavour dimensions.
Carrot Coleslaw Sandwich
Cabbage coleslaw does invoke a wee bit of nostalgia. But try this twist next time! Shredded carrots, walnuts, chia seeds, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Add on crispy pancetta to a soft sub-style bread for extra meatiness.
Caprese Sandwich
Nothing beats this Italian classic. Pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. Smear some homemade pesto , add cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and you have an Italian favourite on your hands. Make a balsamic glaze and top it over the sandwich.
Caramelized onion and gruyere cheese
This French classic grilled cheese perfectly balanced the sweetness and the sharp savory flavour of the Gruyere. You can add meats to it, but honestly, the simplicity of crunchy buttery slices of bread with caramelized onions and cheese are just perfection personified!
Zucchini Dip Sandwich
I was feeling rather experimentative after my carrot coleslaw stint. And this zucchini dip was born shortly after. Smear some of it, with crispy bacon. This also makes for a great addition to chip and dip platters.
Pepperoni grilled cheese
This is literally a pizza in sandwich form. Use some pizza sauce with mozzarella cheese. Add the pepperoni to the top with some more cheese and grill it. Super indulgent.
Meatball Marinara Sub
Over the past few months, marinara sauce from scratch has become my go-to. For pasta, or to make baked chicken skillets with. But one of my absolute favourite things is to use some leftover sauce with meatballs for a meatball marinara. This is my homage to Subway’s meatball marinara when they launched in India. Unfortunately, this sub didn’t see the course of time but this Italian classic is perfect for a no-fuss brunch. Make sure you add mozzarella of course!
Make marinara sauce at home – recipe here.
Jamie Oliver’s Prawn Toast
My first time eating a prawn toast was probably in Nehru Place Social. It is a Chinese favourite but not many Indian places sell them. Recreated this prawn and sesame toast using Jamie Oliver’s recipe and needless to say the Chef himself reshared it!
Bacon, berry, and gouda
In case you have not recognized my pattern yet, I love sweet and salty together! A berry jam, extra salty, fatty bacon and gouda cheese melt ticks off all the boxes. And the flavour combination is not simple and you really must be willing to go out of your comfort zone to try this one.
Whole grain mustard, ham and cheese sandwich
From the not so basic, to as basic as it gets! Whole grain mustard, ham slices, and a mix of mozzarella and cheddar – grilled in a pan with some butter to make it extra crispy. There isn’t anything easier. Pair with a hearty bowl of Roasted bell pepper soup.
creamy egg mashed sandwich
Break down a boiled egg, add some mayonnaise and condiments and smear the smash between to toasted slices of bread. Its comforting, and tastes like a version of mustard egg salad.