Sandwiches can be quick, sandwiches can be convenient, and sandwiches can offer us the opportunity to get a well balanced meal or snack at any time throughout the day.
A lot of times, I hear people say they find themselves eating the same sandwich day after day…and are totally, and completely, bored and in a sandwich rut…
If this is you…never fear! I have some easy ways to help you get unstuck!
And, what better time than now, to share, during August: National Sandwich Month!
But first…
What is a sandwich?
Quite simply, a sandwich is two pieces of bread with food stuffed between them. Sandwiches can be hot or cold, soft or crunchy, spicy, savory, or sweet and sometimes even served open faced!
So now you know what a sandwich is, here some easy ways to add some variety into your sandwiches, and get out of this sandwich rut:
5 Tips to Add Variety into Sandwiches:
Tip # 1) Switch up the “vehicle” or type of bread you use. This can greatly transform your sandwich!
Try different types of grains, like rye, or pumpernickel, sourdough, or flavored/seasoned breads, or even waffles too.
Make your sandwich on a roll, in an English muffin, stuffed in a pita, tortilla, or in a wrap.
As an FYI breads, rolls, English muffins, even pitas, freeze beautifully too.
Tip # 2) Alternate fillings, toppings or spreads.
Swap different protein sources, different cheeses, vegetables and/or fruit, along with different sauces or spreads.
Aside from mayo or mustard, try hummus, guacamole, pesto, pizza sauce, marinara sauce, BBQ sauce, Tzatziki sauce, salsa, or a tapenade for some flavor variation.
Add different types of vegetables
Try different types of lettuce, shredded, leaf, or coleslaw, or add some crunchy sprouts.
Add sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushrooms, even leftover vegetables can all taste delicious too.
Herbs can add freshness and brighten up the taste of a sandwich too.
Play around with adding fruit:
Try peanut butter and banana, berries, sliced up apple, or dried fruit for a little chew.
You could also pair sliced turkey/chicken/cheese and sliced apple too.
Grapes or dried fruit can make a great addition to chicken or tuna salad.
Fruit and cream cheese, goat cheese, cottage or ricotta cheese, might be a nice treat.
A fruit salsa could be a nice addition too.
Tip # 3) Use up whatever you have in your fridge.
Leftover protein from a previous meal or vegetables can all make for great fillings, and help to reduce food waste at home.
If you enjoy having lots of variety throughout the week, consider buying deli meat or cheese by the pound, so that you have only what you need, can reduce food waste and give you the opportunity to switch things around
Tip # 4) Play around with temperature, texture or shape:
If you normally eat your sandwich cold, try one day where you eat it warm: grilling in a pan, or panini press, can make your sandwich taste completely different.
Toast your bread or roll for another texture and flavor profile.
Cut your bread on the diagonal, in fours, halved, or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.
Tip # 5) Enjoy a sandwich at any time of day.
Whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, sandwiches make for a great and balanced option to have.
For a sandwich with staying power be sure to include both protein (most often coming from dairy, meat, eggs, seafood, poultry, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds), and complex carbohydrates (from whole grains, fruits and vegetables), as well as a little bit of fat from (oils, dressings/sauces, nut butters, etc).
What’s your favorite sandwich to have?
Feel free to share and leave comment below.
Comments