davidsdelicatessen.com

Christmas is getting closer and closer, and as is tradition, and my team at work went to the nearest pub for lunch yesterday. We had a lot to chose from, both the standard and ‘festive’ menu, and I settled for a turkey baguette with gravy and chips.

The turkey and gravy were lovely, but the baguette… well. It wasn’t the best. And the chips definateley let the meal down (so I won’t talk about them). But the bread is key to any sandwich.

A baguette is quite a big sarnie at the best of times, but when it’s not as warm as it could be, and the edges are just that bit over-cooked… This is why the best sarnie is the one you make at home.

Everyone has their own interpretation of the perfect fish-finger sandwich – and if they do not use the following method, they are WRONG! This is a tried and tested “recipe” and no-one in my office contradicted this (which is unusual in itself, as we are an opinionated bunch).

So, the perfect fish-finger sarnie is made of:

• White bread, thick sliced, soft, yummy
• butter, none of this low-fat spread malarky
• tomoatoe sauce, spread over the bread, not the fish fingers!
• 4 fishfingers (not 3!), packed in tightly, like sardines!
• (and if you’re feeling adventurous, some grated cheese)

This is the only way to make a fish-finger sarnie – imitations need not apply!

…. a ham, sliced double gloucester cheese, and some Branston’s smooth pickle, sandwiched together between wholemeal bread.

Nom Nom Nom!!!

What makes this sarnie so tasty is the jarred pickled relish. Branston Pickle comes in all shapes, sizes and flavours these days, showing just how far it has come since it was first made in 1922. It was made in the Branston suburb of Burton upon Trent by Crosse & Blackwell. And all their modern varieties are yummy!

The great things about relishes it that it can jazz up any sarnie or salad very easily, and tastes just right. Pop some on your butty!

I was lucky enough to spend a week in sunny Italy this summer, and mmmm, the food! Over here, we now do all of our shopping in the big supermarkets, everything you want under one roof. But over there, they the traditional shops on the main street are still the way to shop. A butcher, a bakers, (a candle stick makers…) and a cheese shop, all packed to the rafter with yummyness.

As delicatessen means “delicacies” or “fine foods”, a deli should be packed with good food. Individual deli’s are not as convenient as one big supermarket, but the food tastes so much better.

A sanwich is a sandwich – bread, meat (or veggie substitute), maybe some salad or sauce. Not a lot of thought is needed to get it right really. But wow, there are a lot of weird options out there!

I have known people to put pizza in sandwiches, I’ve seen sweet and savory (chocolate spread and turkey! eugh!) mixed together, I’ve even seen one persistent child try to make a soup sandwich…. The list could go on, but I think you get the idea.

The faithful sarnie is an easy and tasty way of filling a hole, and getting you through the day. So why should it be boring?

Sandwich of the week this is week is festive themed.
Turkey and Stuffing sandwich is approximately 300 calories. However if you like to add cranberry sauce that is about 190 calories per ½ cup, I can’t do the maths but it’s probably another 20 or so calories added to your sandwich. This sandwich is great to make you feel Christmassy and is a great teaser for the real thing on Christmas day! I love a turkey sandwiches (but funnily enough only at Christmas). Also turkey is much better for you than chicken as it is a leaner meat with less fat. My suggestion is try it hot with a dipping of gravy on the side! Perfect to warm you up on a weekday lunchtime at the office.

Subway is one of the most recognisable and popular sandwich shops ever invented. It could be argued as American’s largest. At over 40 years old it is one of the longest running chains too.
Subway facts:
Subway was started by college student Fred DeLuca and his friend Dr Peter Buck, the first shop was opened in 1965 in Connecticut but it was called ‘Pete’s Super Submarines’. In fact Fred DeLuca is still President of the company now.
There are now 27,989 franchises of Subway in 87 countries of the world and they employ over 150,000 people. In fact there are more Subway restaurants in America than McDonald’s.
In 2007 an American called Jared Fogel lost 245 pounds by eating a subway calorie controlled diet. He ate a 6” sub for lunch and a foot long for dinner for one whole year losing over 17 stone.

What do you call yours?? There are lots of different names for sandwiches, often the difference in names can depend on your regional accent. You might call it a barm cake whilst others call it a butty. Below are just a few varieties of names for sandwiches. Let me know what you call yours? I’m sure there are weird, wonderful and obscure names for sandwiches out there.
•    Sarney or Sarnie
•    Butty
•    Bap
•    Barmcake
•    Brotwanger – Germany
•    Grainy Bread Trap – Tasmania
•    Malty Doorstep – New Zealand
•    Sanger – Australia
•    Le Sand – France
•    Sanduba – Brazil

With the weather turning really cold and with the fast approach of Christmas I thought Sandwich of the Week could be themed this week.
Hot Pork and Apple Sauce sandwich.
This has to be one of my all time favourite sandwiches. I only treat myself on special occasions though! Like the German Christmas Markets in Manchester, or on Bonfire Night (bit disappointed this year when there were only burgers and hot dogs on offer).
It has to be one of the best comfort foods, warm pork from proper Hog Roast and lovely apple sauce to accompany. It needs to be served on a warm, slightly toasted bap with a small bit of butter on.
Lovely.
However the calories are not. A pork sandwich is approximately 323 calories and with apple sauce it bumps it up to 518 calories.

In the Guinness Book of Records the largest recorded sandwich was made by Wild Woody’s Chill and Grill in Roseville, Michigan in the USA. The record was documented in March 17th 2005. The sandwich weighed 5,440 lbs

The world’s largest hamburger (commercially available!!!) was recorded in Southgate, Michigan in the USA in Mallie’s Sports Grill & Bar on 29th August 2008. It weighs a whopping 74.75kg and if you wish to purchase it and try to eat it, it will only set you back $399!!!! Bargain. And the Americans wonder why they have an obesity problem!

And there must be something in the water in Michigan – why are they making such large items of food??