Picnic sandwiches

A good sandwich is the one picnic food that will never let you down. If you are pressed for time and short on ideas just know that sumptuous picnic sandwiches will be your ticket to a good picnic.

Be creative and experiment with different breads, spreads, delicious meats (or not) and cheeses. Combine this with fresh greens and vegetables and you have the makings of a perfect picnic sandwich.

There are no secrets to making a great sandwich expect one important fact: Use good ingredients.

Good picnic sandwiches consist of 3 essential ingredients:

• bread
• scrumptious fillings
• a bit of imagination (to put it together!)

Be mindful of the combination and intensity of flavors, mix to create interesting textures and you are well on your way to becoming a sandwich master. If you have such aspirations, try the following picnic sandwich recipes,

Let’s start with a few classic chicken sandwich recipes:

Layer chicken strips with a dollop of cream cheese (or mayo), mustard, sliced onion, thinly sliced celery, chopped red peppers and lettuce leaves on bread.

Grilled chicken breast, sundried tomatoes, fresh oregano and basil leaves, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Drizzle with garlic oil. (Good quality virgin olive oil will also do nicely)

Sliced chicken breast, cheddar cheese, roasted (or fresh) red bell pepper strips, sprinkling of Cajun seasoning, Tabasco sauce (to taste) and lettuce leaves.

Fry strips of bacon and chicken with Cajun seasoning. Mix chutney, mayo, mustard, curry powder, honey and hot pepper sauce. Really good.

Combine chicken, bacon, avocado, mustard greens. Dress with mayo, cream cheese and blue cheese or gorgonzola.

… and then move on to ham salad sandwiches:

Layer paper-thin sliced Parma ham, cream cheese, cucumber slices, watercress, cream cheese and slices of melon (yes!) on seed rolls.

Ham, spinach leaves and fresh oregano. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

Ham, cheese, onion, boiled egg, sliced green olives, mayo and chili sauce.

Sliced ham, mustard, honey, cheddar cheese and sliced apple (drizzle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration)

Simmer brown sugar, vinegar, chili sauce, mustard, chopped celery in saucepan. Add chopped ham and then serve on a robust bread. Delicious.

… and then a few beef picnic sandwiches:

Simmer together: tomato soup, vinegar, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce until thick. Add sliced beef for a wonderfully tangy sami. If you really want, add cheese and lettuce.

Layer sliced roast beef, blue cheese, thinly sliced onion and tomato, lettuce and drizzle with horseradish sauce and mayo.

Roast beef, cheese, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro with Tabasco sauce (to taste)

Fry sliced onion and mushrooms in oil. Add honey, mustard and sliced beef. Spoon onto rolls with cheese and mustard green.

Layer corned beef, sharp cheddar cheese and mustard greens on bread. Add a dollop of barbecue sauce to transport you to sandwich heaven.

… off to the sea we go!

Mix canned crab meat, sour cream, cheese, celery, sliced tomato and Worcestershire sauce and spread on bread. A easy and worth it sandwich!

Combine canned tuna, garlic, black pepper, mustard, mayonnaise, celery and white onion. Spread on bread or use as pita stuffing.

Spread a mixture of cottage cheese, tomato paste and white pepper on bread. Layer prawns, mushrooms and sweet red pepper on top. Sprinkle with oil and finely cut chives.

Layer coleslaw, fish fillets, and chips on bread bottoms. Cover with bread tops. Serve with bean salad. This is a traditional fish a chips treat.

Fill a pita bread with a mix of salmon, yoghurt, mayo, chopped onion, garlic, black pepper, sliced tomato and olives.

… if you are not into meat … but into the really healthy sandwich:

Mix black beans, onion, garlic, sesame seeds, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, eggs and oats. Shape into patties and fry in oil. Serve on rolls with cheese and salad greens.

Layer shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, mayo and sliced jalapenos and olives on thick slices of bread. Yum …

Combine a hard boiled egg with a tablespoon garlic hummus and spread on whole wheat. Simplicity itself.

Mix olive oil, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and spread on bread. Layer roasted yellow peppers, onion, cheese, sliced pears (yes), olives, arugula and avo on top.

Layer grilled eggplant and sundried tomatoes on garlic bread with slices of strong cheddar cheese.

Your picnic sandwiches should be wrapped in plastic film wrap or greaseproof paper and refrigerated until just before you go out for your picnic.

Place your sandwiches in rigid plastic containers (to avoid squashing) in your cooler box, ready to be taken out and enjoyed!

... ready to start packing?

You can use the traditional picnic basket or try the newer and easier to carry: The picnic backpack (that is stocked with all the accessories that you might need)

Click here to look at a few picnic goodies to make your life easier and impress your date!

For more picnic related topics, go to:

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