Let’s talk sandwiches.
School Sandwich
I gave up on sandwiches for a while – I had lived on Vegemite and Kraft cheese sandwiches at school for so long. It was the ultimate school lunchbox go to sandwich in Australia in the late 70’s. I am sure I thought that I was cool having the cheese in there. I was even more cool when I switched to Vitabix crackers and could squeeze the Vegemite and butter through the holes and create Vegemite worms.
London Sandwich Bars
Thankfully though, I eventually made it to London in the 80s and discovered the sandwich bar. I was astounded, not only at the queues of folk lining up for what I considered a commonplace lunch option, but also at the choice of fillings. Close to my workplace there was a bar which opened mid morning and closed around 3pm. It was perpetually full with a snaking of punters down the road too. The counter staff were like robots. They pinched at tomato, spooned the mayo and piled in the tuna. The options were innumerable and I would watch in awe.
Ploughman’s lunch
Around the same time I discovered the ploughman’s lunch. It was my absolute favourite British pub meal. I loved visiting country pubs on the weekends and ordering a plate with a hunk of cheese, bread and chutney. Whilst others tackled mountains of fish and chips, I would savour the salty sharpness of the cheese and fresh white crusty bread. I have to admit that there is no such thing as a good Ploughman’s outside of the UK. Well – not that I have found anyway.
When is a sandwich a good option
Anytime! I thought it would be good to give you an idea for a classic chicken sandwich. Always popular, this is a sandwich that will appeal to most (unless your friends are vegan) and can be created and presented in a myriad of variations.
Ideally, make your own mayonnaise for your sandwiches because it tastes so much better. If not, then at least buy a really decent ‘real’ mayonnaise product from the store.
Classic Chicken Sandwich
A chicken sandwich ideal for a platter or afternoon offering. Accompany with a glass of bubbles or a cup of tea
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 shallot diced
- 1/4 cup oregano chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken.
- 1 fistful watercress
- 3-4 cornichons sliced
Instructions
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Mix together the shallot, oregano, mustard and chicken. Bind together with the mayonnaise
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Sandwich the chicken filling into two slices of freshly baked bread adding the watercress and sliced cornichons as per personal taste.
