I wish I could give John Mantagu a big hug. “Who?” you ask. John Mantagu, Big John, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Way back in the 18th century, he was kind enough to invent the sandwich.
And I couldn’t be more grateful.
As a bona fide carb addict and a working mother with no time, I could not survive without the sandwich. Here are some hacks that I’ve developed (or stolen from other hackers) that make my life easier, and more delicious.
- Peanut butter and bacon. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. I had my doubts at first too. But then I tried that first crispy salty bite. Worried about too much fat? Try turkey bacon.
- Peanut butter and banana. It’s so sweet it’s like a dessert. But eat it as soon as you make it or it gets mushy. Also, try combining this with the first idea by adding bacon.
- Hummus for condiment. No matter what sandwich you’re making, replace your favorite condiment with hummus. It makes for a more exotic experience, and it’s extremely healthy.
- Chicken and apple. Thinly slice an apple and add it to your favorite chicken sandwich. You can thank me later.
- The Thanksgiving sandwich. This one is fairly popular in New England, but just in case you’re reading this from San Diego, I thought I should include this. The Thanksgiving sandwich includes stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey, and Swiss cheese. Here in the northeast, it’s Thanksgiving year-round.
- Pesto makes everything better. You can add it to just about any sandwich. And you don’t have to actually make the pesto. You only need a few ingredients to get the effect. I make a mean grilled mozzarella sandwich, and I just add whichever of the following ingredients I have on hand: basil, garlic, olive oil.
- Sweet and spicy. This one might be an acquired taste, but I’ve acquired it. Thinly slice a few jalapeño peppers. Make a grilled cheese sandwich with (I prefer sharp) cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and a thin layer of raspberry jam. Yes, really.
Bon appétit! Let us know which is your favorite!
Posted by Robin
