How to make the ultimate sandwich

Sandwiches are king of all comfort foods, and with these expert tips, yours will reign supreme.

A staple that transcends generations and cultures, sandwiches are king of all comfort foods. Whether you keep it simple with a smear of butter and vegemite, or load up a three-decker, smallgoods extravaganza, there’s something deliciously appealing about holding a ready-made meal between two neat squares of freshly baked bread.

Former MasterChef contestant Courtney Roulston is among the sandwich aficionados who contributed to a new charity cookbook, For the Love of Bread. Picture: Tim Hunter.

However, with sandwiches the go-to lunch box item in many Australian households, it’s hard to avoid the occasional sambo slump.

Does your trusty cheese-and-ham usually return home minus a few half-hearted nibbles? A corn chip-crusted nacho sandwich, barbecue jackfruit filling or sushi-inspired white-sliced rolls may help you rise from the rut.

Sushi sandwiches by Courtney Roulston from For the Love of Bread by Red Kite. Photo: Freya's Nourisment.

These are among the inspired sambo combos in a new eBook, For the Love of Bread. Packed with lunchbox inspiration from well-known chefs and foodies, recipes in For the Love of Bread also include family favourites from Australians affected by cancer, with five cents from every specially marked loaf of Coles Own Brand Bread (used in the recipes) going to leading children’s cancer support charity, Red Kite.

Cover image: For the Love of Bread produced by Redkite.

Adding a fresh dimension to the notion of sandwiches as comfort food, Red Kite will put the funds towards emotional support, financial assistance and information resources for families affected by cancer.

Download For the Love of Bread here, or scan the QR code.

QR code to download free e-book For the Love of Bread released by Redkite.

Five tips to sandwich perfection

Lift your daily lunch prep with MasterChef alumnus Courtney Roulston.

1 Protect the bread from going soggy by spreading things like cream cheese, butter or mayonnaise right to the edges of both slices.

2 Place any fillings that can make the bread wet, like sliced tomato, between other fillings so it does not come in contact with the bread.

Eat the rainbow sandwich from For the Love of Bread by Redkite. Photo: Freya's Nourishment.

3 Pick just four ingredients that work well in a sandwich combination. Having too many different fillings
means that things can get lost and you won’t taste them.
Some of my favourite combinations are: Roast chicken, mayonnaise, avocado and thinly sliced cabbage; smoked salmon, cream cheese, thinly sliced onion and pickled fennel; and ham, cheese and roast capsicum.

4 Spreads or dips can add flavour and moisture to sandwiches without making them soggy. Try things like hummus, mustards, pestos and
chutneys.

5 Try to make every mouthful full of flavour. Layering and taking your time to build the sandwich properly, and evenly placing the ingredients, means you will enjoy it to the last bite.

Originally published as How to make the ultimate sandwich