If you’re patient, you can buy a whole salami and let it harden by hanging it to dry for a couple of weeks. Or walk into a deli and order it at the counter. Whatever method you choose, the salami comes out chewy and garlicky, with just the right amount of flavor and fat to make it irresistible. If you do opt for the deli, ask for some extra slices just for snacking while you prepare the sandwiches. The deli is also a good place to find onion rolls. Homemade honey mustard offsets the salty salami with a sharp bite. The recipe is easy, and people are impressed when you tell them that you made your own mustard from scratch.
You can’t drive far in New England without coming across a sign advertising lobster rolls. They are sold at beachside shacks as well as white tablecloth restaurants. To call this specialty a sandwich gives the wrong impression. It’s really a toasted hot dog roll that all but disappears under a mound of chunky lobster salad, made with just a little mayonnaise and seasonings. A leaf or two of lettuce usually lines the bun. This version is easy to prepare at home for your friends as a kickoff to the summer.
These sandwiches are great for those cold and snowy days when you need a little more comfort than just hot soup. Toasted in a pan, they come out warm and crisp, filled with smoky ham and the sharp bite of cheddar cheese. I like to use Black Forest ham, a German variety, because it has a perfect balance of smoky, salty, and sweet flavors. Into the mustard, I mix cranberry sauce to add a tart, colorful twist. Dark brown pumpernickel bread matches the German theme of the ham. The sandwich goes really well with Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheese soup.
These café-style sandwiches, a variation on roast beef and Boursin, are easy to make at home, and travel well in lunchboxes or picnic baskets. Just don’t skimp on the ingredients. Find a good quality baguette with some crust; the bad ones are so flimsy that they flop back and forth when you pick them up! Purchase tender roast beef from a deli and ask that it be thinly sliced.
We are always trying to create new and interesting sandwiches for our vegetarian customers. Roasting really enhances the flavor of the vegetables in this one. When served warm, the mix of zucchini, summer squash, and bell peppers makes a nice change from lettuce and tomatoes. These sandwiches are great for lunch on the go, as they are easy to handle and eat.
