“Since we’re going to Wilmington tomorrow, why don’t we stop at Which Wich and grab lunch?”
“Yes!”
Sandwiches are our go-to meal around here, our what-do-you-want-for-your-birthday dinner, our road food, and our takeout favorites.
We love Subway subs, grinders from our favorite pizzeria in Massachusetts, Paisanos, and as I mentioned, Which Wich, but there’s nothing like a homemade grinder, a quick PB&J with homemade strawberry jam and Wonder bread, or a hot and crispy panini that makes that fashionable noise when you scrape a knife across its belly.
When I stopped eating meat, I imagined I would be done eating sandwiches for the most part, but they’re even better now, especially considering my love for cheese. Pepper jack, Swiss, American, cheddar, gruyère and more all fit nicely on a sandwich with onions, peppers, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, oil, and vinegar. Toasting it marries the flavors together, melts the cheese, and warms the outside of the thick bread in thick, crispy ridges.
We’ve been eating paninis for a few years now. It’s like a bumpy grilled cheese that makes quite the mess, but it’s worth it. You can purchase an electric panini press, but if you like you can still make them cheaper. Use a cast iron pan and a brick wrapped in foil, a cast iron panini hand press, or anything else that’s heavy to squish it while you grill it. Try this on your next panini or grilled sandwich:
- Two of your favorite cheeses (Two is best because the contrast brings out the flavor of the individual cheese. It also aids in the pull.)
- spicy mustard, yellow mustard, mayo, oil, vinegar, and/or any other topping you love
- onion, any type, sliced thinly
- thinly-sliced apple or pear
- good quality bread (homemade sourdough is best.)
Everyone loves a good sandwich, and they fit all types of eaters’ needs. There is gluten-free bread, vegetarian options, a ton of meats for the carnivores, healthy, and for the fancy-pants friends of yours, just cut off the crust. Next time you don’t know what to make for dinner or even that baby shower or party, just remember the versatility of the beloved sandwich; just give it a bougie name, some elaborate ingredients, and all will be well with the world.
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Teresa Forester Adams 