What You Eat for Lunch Makes a Big Difference—Here’s How to Prep Yours
Quality & Freshness
Paulie James, owner of the popular Los Angeles deliUncle Paulie’s, says that a combination of “high-quality ingredients and top-notch bread that complement each other well” sets good deli sandwiches apart from the rest.
“When you use fresh, high-quality ingredients, you can taste the difference. We’re located in California, which offers no shortage of fantastic fresh produce,” says James.
Being a larger operation than your average household, sandwich shops and delis are able to source the best local, domestic and imported ingredients and have theprep spaceand time to create their own special, customized sandwiches.
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Bread
Withoutbreadto tie everything together, you don’t have much of a sandwich! Bread that’s too soft and can’t hold up to the ingredients inside, and bread that’s too hard to comfortably take a bite of, can cause you to put down a sandwich even when it’s filled with your favorites.
Slicing for Sandwiches
Unless you have the time to hit up your local deli or grocery store for freshly sliced meat and cheese every day before constructing your sandwich, odds are your sandwich ingredients could be a little fresher.
James says, “The major difference between slicing your meat fresh versus buying it pre-packed isit’s minimally processed rather than filled with preservatives. Slicing to order allows us to offer the freshest option while eliminating waste from pre-slicing.”
Some delis, like Uncle Paulie’s, even offer freshly sliced meats and cheeses for you to take home in addition to their sandwich offerings. Did you know you can evenfreeze your deli meat? And if you’re interested in how to properly store cheese,here’s how.
Delis also often have mechanized bread and meat/cheese slicers, enabling them to quickly and exactingly slice the sandwich components so they combine in the most satisfying way possible. The uniformity of mass-produced, pre-sliced meats and cheeses may not necessarily provide the thickness or thinness that you prefer in a sandwich. And unless you have super-sharp knivesand excellent knife skills, you can’t really compete with the slicing equipment most delis have.
Sandwich Construction
The right sandwiches are works of art that layer everything correctly, from the bread to the seasonings, and James says this could be a make-it-or-break-it factor, determining whether you’ll have a delicious sandwich or a soggy, bland one.
“Second to the bread being great, the ratio of ingredients really matters when constructing the perfect sandwich. You want just the right amount of veggies, oils and/or condiments to balance the sandwich without making it soggy,” says James. Don’t overload your sandwich—there should be a balance between the main ingredients, like meat and cheese, and the veggies that go on top. A schmear should be just that—no matter how much you may love mayo, huge globs of it won’t help anybody or any sandwich.
One of the best ways to avoid a soggy sandwich is to eat it immediately. Since that isn’t always possible, like if you’repacking for lunch at the office, here are a couple of tips:
How to Make a Delicious & Satisfying Veggie Sandwich
Seasoning
Practice & Experience
The people behind the deli counter are experts, and the shop’s business is banking on them to create delicious food for customers to enjoy. “We think of our staff as the representatives of our business. By being properly trained and knowledgeable about the menu, they are able to offer the customer a perfect product while taking pride in what they’re making,” James says.
But it’s not just the kitchen staff responsible for making the sandwiches, it’s everyone on the team that sets up a deli counter for success. “Customer service is a top priority for us. Our front-of-house staff is always able to offer suggestions, answer questions and create a warm, welcoming environment,” says James. Yes, hospitality and good service can make your sandwich taste better.
Bottom Line
If you’re feeling up to the challenge with this new knowledge in mind, try your hand at making one of our30 Best Sandwich Recipes. Think about the type of sandwich you’re going to make, and shop for the appropriate ingredients. Simply put, a tuna or chicken salad sandwich is going to need sturdier bread than a ham and cheese, which will be fine with softer breads. Remember to buy the best and freshest ingredients available to layer into your sandwich, season properly and select a good bread (ask your deli counter person for suggestions for local bakers). Have fun and experiment with condiments, adding flavorings to spreads or picking up a store-bought one that broadens your flavor horizons. Once you’ve taken care of all those factors, then ask your partner or someone else in your household to make it for you—it could be the best homemade sandwich you’ll ever have!
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