Celebrating National Sandwich Day – Brian’s Blog

Even though I really can't eat sandwiches any more, it doesn't stop me from thinking about my favorite sandwiches and my go-to sandwich of all time.

Ah, the sandwich. History tells us that this staple of the American diet was invented by the English Earl of Sandwich so he wouldn't have to waste time eating, thus taking time away from the gambling tables. Some meat slapped between a couple of slices of bread for a hands-on eating experience. The constant companion of the American blue collar working man.

After my bariatric surgery, I had to pretty much give up sandwiches because bread can wreak havoc on my rearranged insides. It doesn't stop me from remembering my favorites, though.

As a child, my favorite was bologna on white with Miracle Whip. Peanut butter and grape jelly came in at No.2. and of course, good old tuna fish.

As I got older, my palate changed. Tuna had to have big slices of dill pickle laid on top of it, with a big sprinkle of black pepper. This is still a favorite. Turkey on dill rye with lettuce comes in next, but dill rye bread is hard to find.

As to my favorite sandwich of all time, it has to be something my family called "Smashed Roast Beef". Left over roast beef is sliced thin, layered on white bread with mustard and raw onion. Then the whole thing was smashed in a hot waffle iron with the plates turned over to the flat sides. They would come out hot, thin and crispy.

My dad would make these a lot. I think he brought the panini to Central Washington before anyone even knew what a panini was.

So to celebrate National Sandwich Day, go out and jam something between to slices of bread. Even if it is just some jam.