As busy collegiettes™, we’re constantly running from classes, meetings, extracurriculars and our part-time jobs. After a long day of classes and studying, all we want is to crash on the couch, turn on some ridiculous reality tv and find something good to eat.
It’s hard to find enough time in the day to cook a filling, wholesome meal, and this usually leads to a desperate takeout call to the local Chinese restaurant. It’s all too easy to brush off the straight-from-the-box options as boring. But one of these old standbys just got a makeover: enter the sandwich.
Sandwiches have always been my go-to. The ordinary turkey or peanut butter sandwich is satisfying, fast and uncomplicated for the culinary-challenged to prepare while being reasonably healthy. But, I never thought that a sandwich could actually possess all those qualities and still excite my taste buds. It wasn’t until I began thinking of the sandwich the way I think of my wardrobe that all its possibilities began to open up.
Was it possible for me to transform my ordinary sandwich from dull to delectable without devoting a lot of extra time to cooking? I realized I could actually makeover my sandwich “wardrobe” with just a few simple tweaks.
To begin, think of the bread as the staple basic of your outfit. Instead of using the same-old boring white or wheat bread, switch it up with a new, more flavorful variety such as sourdough, potato, pumpernickel, rye, rice bread, or a wrap…the options are endless. This is one simple way to upgrade your sandwich without spending any extra time in the kitchen.
After selecting your bread, it’s time to build upon the basics by getting a little creative with color. Think of your sandwich filling as multicolored pieces in your closet that you can mix and match. By pairing fixings in different ways, you can end up with all sorts of thrilling taste combinations.
Finally, it’s time to accessorize your sandwich. Think of condiments, sauces, and other taste enhancers as the finishing touches that make or break any outfit. Just as it’s important not to overpower your outfit with accessories, it’s also important not to overpower your sandwich with extras. For example, garnish your sandwich with avocado, cheese, mayo, or pickles, but not all four. This will allow you to make the sandwich more quickly, not to mention healthier.
So there you have it- a fun, new way to think about sandwich making. Below are some easy recipes I came up with to get you started.
-Avocado slices with smoked salmon on toasted linseed rye
-Artichokes, olives, arugula, and Grey Poupon mustard on a toasted French baguette
-Tomato, cheddar cheese, and basil on toasted pumpernickel bread
-Marinated portabella mushrooms (buy them pre-sliced at the grocery store and cook them for twenty seconds in balsamic vinegar and pepper in the microwave), onions, and fresh spinach in a wrap