4 Ways To Upgrade Your Submarine Sandwich
As far as meals go, submarine sandwiches take the cake in terms of prep time and overall popularity. They’ve become American favorites with little more than some bread, meat, vegetables and a dash of mayonnaise. Still, sandwiches don’t always have to be quite as ordinary, and just a few simple tweaks can make a sandwich something grand.
Here’s how to make a sandwich that’s anything but subpar:
Rethink your choice of bread
Most sub sandwiches are made with standard Italian bread. But if you’re looking for something that isn’t so traditional, the Reluctant Gourmet suggested a few different options. Italy is also known for focaccia bread, which features herb, salt and olive oil, which make for much more savory flavors. You can even jump countries entirely and try a little French bread, namely, brioche, which is made with eggs and butter and has a much sweeter taste. Combined with saltier meat, it makes for a unique challenge for daring sandwich lovers.
Don’t bore yourself with ordinary meat
As it turns out, there’s a whole world of meat outside of ham, salami, turkey and other sandwich standbys. The Kitchn suggested using meats from other meals’ leftovers. That could include pot roast, which makes for great roast beef sandwiches, or poached chicken breasts, which is perfect for a more earthy, grainy taste experiencd. Meanwhile, Men’s Health claimed it’s best to go for more left of center options. Fish lovers might try the nicoise hero, which features lettuce, tuna, eggs, anchovies and olives. You could also slap together sausage and green peppers for a smoky little number.
Make your mayo mighty
In many ways, mayo is the glue of all sandwiches. It not only adds to the structural integrity, keeping meat, veggies and bread in order, but it helps off-set the various flavors. Yet even a classic deserves a bit of new life. To that end, The Kitchn presented some homemade mayo mix-ins. This could include roasted garlic, which adds a more savory bite, blue cheese to expand on those creamy textures and curry or chili sauce to provide a bit of a kick. Or, maybe even make it a little sweeter by adding in some maple syrup.
Toast that bread
Most people like sandwiches because they’re quick and easy. However, taking the time to toast the bread can make all the difference in flavor. In their book “Scalable Innovation: A Guide for Inventors, Entrepreneurs, and IP Professionals,” authors Eugene Shteyn and Max Shtein noted that manufacturers have have been toasting bread for years because people believe it tastes better. Not only that, it’s much healthier to boot. According to a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, toasted bread has a lower glycemic index, which can help regulate the body’s blood sugar levels.
