By Kate Foster
Summer is well and truly here, and as meals move out of doors, we thought it was time to get inspired about the most portable of meals – the humble sandwich. Sometimes the old favourites really are the best: who doesn’t love biting into slivers of tangy Cheddar cheese, wedged between doorstep slices of chewy sourdough? But as temperatures climb, let’s take inspiration from further afield, with sandwiches to pep up your packed lunch, or superpower your picnic:
Vietnamese Banh Mi
French colonialism in Vietnam left behind a slightly unusual culinary legacy for Southeast Asia – the baguette. Banh mi refers to any kind of bread in Vietnamese, but more commonly it means a fresh crusty baguette, stuffed with grilled pork, chicken or tofu, and layered with crunchy vegetables, coriander leaves and spicy chilli sauce. With layers of flavour, vibrant colours and a mix of textures, they’re fast becoming a favourite on the UK street food scene.
Try: Split and butter a Flour Station English Stick, smear with mayonnaise spiked with pungent Sriracha sauce, and fill with grilled meat or prawns, carrot, cucumber and coriander. Divide up into portions for a brilliant and colourful picnic addition. Fresh chilli optional!
NYC-style Sandwich Artistry
Zip over to the Upper East Side and be inspired by the teetering, multi-storey sandwiches at Serendipity 3. An ornate playroom of a restaurant, the menu reads like the ultimate nursery tea – from burgers to gigantic ice-cream sundaes. But their sandwiches are what I love best, pairing fruited bread with savoury fillings to delicious effect.
Try: Fruited bread, like our Hazelnut, Sultana and Rosemary Levain, lightly toasted and filled with cooked chicken, mixed with mayonnaise and fresh tarragon or dill, and baby salad leaves.
A Greek Take on the Humble Cheese Sarnie
Greece brought us sharp and salty feta and halloumi cheeses, which lend themselves perfectly to a sweet and tangy pickle or chutney. So leave the cheddar to one side and consider some more interesting cheesy pairings.
Try: Slices of our London Wholemeal Bloomer filled with crumbled feta or grilled halloumi and tangy fruit chutney, with baby salad leaves. Or create a Greek salad sandwich with feta, black olive tapenade, juicy tomatoes and wafer thin cucumber slices.
