Original Sandwiches on the Menu This Summer
Whether you devour them on the go or take the time to savour each bite, summer sandwiches deserve to stand out
with a touch of originality. Find out how you can bring a breath of fresh air to your fillings and satisfy both
young and old on any occasion.
Dare to Bring Some Variety
To bring a new dimension to sandwiches, small details can make a big difference.
Condiments: Give a boost to standard condiments like mayonnaise by mixing it with a touch
of whole grain mustard or with sun-dried tomato or herb pesto . A few drops
of soy sauce and some sambal oelek or any other slightly spicy sauce are
just enough to enhance the flavour of a sandwich.Meats: Shake up the routine by swapping out the usual white ham, often a hit with kids,
for a smoked version or other similarly flavoured charcuterie. Think of
mortadella , for example, a sausage made from ground pork that’s the Italian cousin of
bologna.
Breads: Switch up the breads while optimizing the contrasts between the ingredients.
Baguette, ciabatta, naan bread, pita, tortilla , etc. There are several options, especially
when considering the different grains and cereals that make up each bread, including oats, millet, kamut,
spelt, flaxseeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Textures: During summer, fresh and crunchy textures rule. Cucumber
ribbons, sliced radishes or julienned carrots drizzled with lime juice,
such as in banh mi
sandwiches, are unmatched when it comes to making mouths water. You can also simply replace the standard
lettuce leaf with arugula to add a peppery taste and get a slightly more voluminous
sandwich.
Chef’s Tip: Focus on Contrasting Textures:
Combine a very crunchy filling with a softer bread and, conversely, choose a denser and sturdier bread for a
more
tender filling.
Ride the Trend
In addition to the chopped sandwich that went viral on social media recently, another trend is
the sandwich sliced in half, revealing its fillings. More often than not, the layers are plenty and colourful,
and sometimes certain ingredients are highlighted in the centre of the fillings. A simple tomato
sandwich with ingredients stacked to form a gradient of colours or an egg sandwich
that reveals a hard-boiled egg bordered by egg salad can create a “wow” effect.
Chef’s Tip: A Better Egg Sandwich:
Sprinkle the egg filling with fresh chives for a touch of green. For a more uniform green, mix in avocado
puree.
Crumbled bacon is also great for adding texture.
Share the Joy With…
The Dagwood: There are sandwiches that sprawl lengthwise and then there are those that are
stacked high, like the Dagwood . This
generous ready-to-eat and shareable sandwich layers meats, cheeses and condiments, weighing an impressive
1.1
kg. You can find it in the C’est Prêt chez IGA section, and it’s perfect
for
a picnic in the park.
A Baguette Sandwich: The ciabatta
baguette , halved lengthwise, is perfect for serving to your friends gathered on the terrace or
around
the pool. Spread the inside of the bread with your preferred condiment before stacking the fillings.
A BBQ Sandwich: It’s time to think about grilled veggies (eggplants, peppers,
zucchini,
etc.), grilled meats (pork, beef, chicken
or seafood), or plant-based proteins such as tofu . If
you’re
using grilled meats to make a next-day sandwich, wait for the meat to cool down because if it’s still
hot
during preparation, it will continue to release its juices, which will soak the bread.
For an alternative to the usual sharing sandwich, check out this recipe:
See the recipes:
Summer sandwich for sharing
Play with Shapes
No longer happy with cutting a crustless sandwich into triangles, rectangles or squares? Cutting it into rounds
(which can be done using a glass or jar) or hearts is common. Cookie cutters designed specifically for
this purpose are increasingly available on the market. Their varied shapes (star, bear head, dog
silhouette, etc.) will change up your sandwiches and delight the kids.
See the recipe:
Deliciously garnished treats
Try sushi-style
rolled sandwiches to enhance your appetizer and make it a little bit fancier. Tortillas, which
are easy to handle, and a binding ingredient (cream cheese, ricotta, mayonnaise, etc.) are usually at the base
of these sandwiches that bring together various colourful fillings. Roll it all tightly and slice into rounds
for bite-sized pieces.
Chef’s Tip: Sandwiches That Stay in Place:
To keep the fillings of a freshly made sandwich from shifting, use a toothpick. You can also use longer
sticks,
which then turn the sandwich rolls into lollipops. A guaranteed hit at any child’s party!