As a Brit I have grown up with a less than inspired relationship with sandwiches. Whilst these are fairly common place as parts of our diets, especially as a quick and easy lunch option, they aren’t really something we take particular pride or distinct interest. We’ve got a few staple fillings that we know and love...cheese and pickle, BLT, tuna mayo...but none of these really set the world alight! They are more tried and tested favourites rather than anything that would really get us salavating.
This is not a trend that I can say I have experienced to be true around the world. In fact, certain countries and cultures take such pride in their varieties of the humble sandwich they have almost been elevated to national dish status! Take the bánh mì in Vietnam for example. Whilst there are an extraordinary variety of alternatives, the traditional sandwich starts with a freshly cooked crusty baguette spread with pork liver pate and generously filled with sliced pork, grated carrot and sliced cucumber and topped with pork floss. Bánh mì vendors are found on every street corner in every city throughout the country and they take this sandwich seriously! A carelessly prepared, under filled or poor quality version of this sandwich would not be accepted! Any talk of culinary institution status sandwiches would be absolutely incomplete without the inclusion of the world famous Reuben sandwich! Personally I believe this to be a sandwich like no other!! Practically perfect in every way! The exact origin of this dreamy creation is contested but all agree it comes from some form of American Jewish background. Essentially very basic in terms of it’s content, five ingredients are impeccably combined in a precise flavour balance to create the classic Reuben! Warm corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and Russian dressing are enclosed between two slices of rye bread...done. Surprisingly simple and unbelievably good! Accept no substitutes...the original is the best! One final sandwich that I believe deserves a mention is the Philly Cheesesteak. This sandwich actually started it’s life as a temporary alternative to a hotdog but was met with such a positive reception that it stuck! Again, it’s fairly simple to create...an amoroso roll is stuffed with thinly sliced rib eye steak and topped with melted provolone cheese. Simple it may be, but Philadelphians are very serious about it! When acquiring a cheesesteak from one of the many vendors located around the city you must have you ordering lingo prepared...”prov” will get you the traditional steak and cheese combo, while “Swiss with” will get you steak, Swiss cheese and onions on your roll. Brave (or stupid) is the man who enters a vendor and advances to the counter before knowing exactly what they want and how to ask for it. It will probably come as no surprise for you to learn that I have tried all of these sandwiches and I have loved them all! They are not sandwiches I could eat everyday...not least because I probably wouldn’t live very long if I did...but they are certainly sandwiches with a significant level of culinary clout. And one thing they all have in common...they have definitely made me look at the old BLT with less of an admiring eye!
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Follow us on Instagram or send us a messageAbout Foodie FridaysWe love food, as most people do! And when we are on the road this doesn't change. We, like many people, believe that food is one of the best ways to really get to know a culture and it's people, as so much about the way people live their lives around the world is centred around food. This means that when we travel we actively seek out the local foods and delicacies. Sometimes that comes in the form of unusual and exotic produce from markets and sometimes from street food vendors serving an array of barbecued, fried, steamed or entirely indistinguishable goodies. Having tried and tested these goodies for some time now, on our adventures around Asia, Europe, North and South America we have discovered some pretty wonderful treats that we have decided should earn a bit of publicity. So, as the working week drifts away and the weekend winks at you like a naughty temptress we will share with you one of the delights that we have encountered from around the world! We hope you enjoy reading about these as much as we enjoyed eating them! Archives
October 2017
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