Sandwiches, Sandwiches!

One of my niece's friends, when she was three years old, loved to sing the "Savages, Savages" song from the cartoon movie Pocahontas. Like most little children, the words of the song changed in her head; she would sing 'sandwiches, sandwiches' instead. So that has become my family's theme song when sandwiches are served. (Another song, "Just Around the Riverbend" became "Just Around the Rubberband", but I couldn't think of any way to tie that into food and recipes, unless I wanted to write about overcooked calamari!) Sandwiches are a meal in themselves. They are satisfying, fun to make and eat, and one of the fastest and most variable recipes out there. If you have something to hold a filling together, you can make a sandwich!

Think about your favorite sandwich recipes of all time, and see how they could be varied. Perhaps a chicken salad sandwich using pita breads, with chopped peppers and mushrooms makes your mouth water. Omit the peppers and use tomatoes, add some shredded cheese, and serve on ciabatta bread and voila! A whole new sandwich with little effort. Try grilling a sandwich you've always served cold, or take a hot sandwich filling and wrap it in lettuce and whole wheat tortillas.

I love using all kinds of different breads in my sandwich recipes; even quick breads can be delicious. Quick Cheese Pepper Bread, paired with thinly sliced ham, some fresh basil leaves, and mustard, would make an excellent sandwich. Biscuits, pita breads, French bread, sliced bread, tortillas, and flat breads are good choices. And have fun with fillings! Make sure to write down all the ingredients in your masterpiece so you can reproduce it.

Best Sandwich Recipes

• Chicken Bacon Pita Sandwiches
  My new favorite sandwich, this one is super quick to make with leftover cooked chicken and some microwave bacon. Yum.
• Ham Salad Wraps
  Deviled ham is a great pantry staple. And with a few more ingredients and some tortillas, you can make this fabulous sandwich in a snap.
• Brie Peach Sandwiches
  I love this combination of textures and flavors. Creamy and rich Brie cheese pairs beautifully with peaches and peach preserves, butter lettuce and crusty French rolls.
• Grilled Meatloaf Sandwiches
  Meatloaf makes a fabulous sandwich, but grilling it takes it to new heights. Use your favorite cheese in this filling hot sandwich recipe.
• Baked Turkey Sandwich
  A flavorful mustard and onion spread makes these delicious hot sandwiches so delicious. You can make these sandwiches ahead of time and refrigerate; them bake just before serving.
• Cheesy Roast Beef Wraps
  Roast beef, either leftover, from the deli, or from the meat aisle, is made special with the addition of blue cheese dressing, green onions, and tomatoes, all rolled up in a tender tortilla.
• Chicken Focaccia Sandwiches
  This remains my favorite sandwich recipe after years of sandwich eating! You make the focaccia with pizza dough, then fill it with a sumptuous chicken and avocado mixture. Sigh.
• Baked Grilled Cheese Pesto Sandwiches
  I thought this was a great idea, so I tested my variation on this concept. After the first turn, I was skeptical, but when I opened the door when the sandwiches were done, they looked spectacular. And they are spectacular - the bread is crisp and perfect, and the filling perfectly melted. Yum.
• Gourmet Grilled Cheese
  Two kinds of cheese and a red ripe tomato, along with mustard, create a wonderful and comforting sandwich perfect any time of the year.
• Waffle Wiches
  You need a waffle iron to make these super fun sandwiches, and only three ingredients. Your kids will love this one! Let them pick the fillings they want and assemble the sandwiches; then you grill 'em.
• Buffalo Ham Mornay
  Open-faced sandwiches are a more sophisticated variation. This winner has a spicy kick thanks to the blue cheese and hot sauce.
• Grilled Salmon Sandwiches
  Salmon, grated carrots, and shredded cheese melt together in these fabulous crisp sandwiches. You could use canned tuna or chicken too!
• Turkey Hummus Sandwiches
  Hummus, in addition to being a great dip, is also a great sandwich spread. You'll love the flavors in this simple sandwich recipe.
• My Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  And finally, this is the sandwich I turn to when I'm hungry with just minutes to eat. It took some experimentation to find the perfect proportion of cheese to bread, but this one is IT.
• Cold Sandwich Recipes
• Hot Sandwich Recipes