Guest Author - Catherine Bridges
Here are the most basic pantry items that you should keep stocked to create delicious sandwiches.
Breads
Be sure to keep a fresh loaf of your favorite bread, but keep your mind and your taste buds open to experiment with other types of bread, too! Different bread types are suited for different types of sandwiches. Here are some breads you will find most commonly in your local grocery store:
* white
* wheat
* focaccia
* rye
* pumpernickel
* pita
* french
Sandwich Theme or Base
Just about any type of meat or vegetable can be used as the base of your sandwich. Visit your local deli or the deli area of your grocery store and try some favorite and some new combinations.
* roast beef
* chicken
* turkey
* salami
* bologna
* peanut butter
* jelly/jam
* eggplant
* lettuce
* cucumber
* tomato
* onion
* pickle
* sliced olives
Condiments
There are a variety of ways to 'moisten' your sandwich while at the same time protecting your bread from becoming a soggy mess. Mustard and mayonnaise are favorite standbys - try experimenting with new condiments, perhaps a dash of Worcestershire sauce! Or enhance a standby by tossing in a few herbs or a drop or two of hot sauce.
* butter
* mayonnaise
* mustard
* olive oil
* cream cheese
* chutney
* salad dressing
Add-ons
These are the extra touches that make this sandwich a meal and may ensure a return engagement. Try lettuce, butter lettuce, a cabbage leaf, a slice of smoked gouda or a few leaves of basil. Flavor combinations are endless and exciting to discover. Remember, too, that adding a little heat to your add-on can change the flavor and mouth feel of the entire sandwich.
Don't be afraid to try new combinations, new flavors and some of those strange new items your grocer is trying to bring to your area. Shop the Farmer's Markets in your area or try to find those local growers and purveyors that sell their products. You will be supporting your local economy while discovering new tastes and flavors. Perhaps you will even discover a NEW favorite. Enjoy!
