Making the Perfect Sandwich
Sandwiches are deceptively the easiest lunches ever made. Millions of children take them to school and millions of their parents take them to work. However, the secret of making the perfect sandwich resides in the ingredients.
The Bread
Honey wheat bread is the best bread for enclosing the perfect sandwich, with whole wheat coming a close second. Avoid white bread at all costs. White bread is a synonym for boring for a reason.
Also, toast the bread before making the sandwich. Toasting the bread provides the sandwich with an extra, pleasing crunch.
The Spread
Most people will use mayo or some similar product such as Miracle Whip. However, for a special taste, try some spreadable cream cheese. Cream cheese comes sweat, flavored with honey or fruit, or savory, flavored with chives or even jalapeno. A small spoonful of tomato salsa spread on top of the cream cheese layer can add some zest to your sandwich.
The Meat
The deli section of your local supermarket provides a wide variety of meat suitable for a sandwich. However, if you want something that is less processed and fresher, use leftover meat from a main meal. Nothing is as tasty as a slice of roast beef, a slice of baked ham, or a grilled chicken breast.
The Cheese
Most people put in a slice of cheddar or Swiss in their sandwiches without a second thought. However, smoked gouda works best for the perfect sandwich.
The Veggies
Finally, consider the vegetables. Avoid a tomato slice like the plague. Tomatoes are great for making salsa, barbecue sauce, or pasta sauce. A slice of raw tomato, however, makes the bread soggy if placed in a sandwich. You can place the tomato slice between the meat and a lettuce leaf to reduce your chances of making your sandwich soggy.
The best veggies for the perfect sandwich are a slice of sweet, Vidalia onion and some romaine lettuce.
Mark Whittington, who writes frequently about space and politics, has published a political study of space exploration entitled Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? as well as The Moon, Mars and Beyond, and, most recently, Why is America Going Back to the Moon? He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. He is published in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Hill, USA Today, the LA Times, and the Washington Post, among other venues.
