Category Archives: Smears

Ham and Liver Pate Sandwich with Roasted Garlic and Dill Pickles

I consider this a variation on the veterinarians midnight snack, a classic Danish sandwich (In Danish: ‘Dyrlægens natmad‘. Try saying that one!).  The bones of Anders’ Viking ancestors will rattle in their graves to protest me saying this, but in this variant,  the  inclusion of the roasted garlic and the removal of the aspic is a HUGE improvement. Together, those simple actions make this sandwhich palatable for me, a non-Dane.   Anders thinks this presentation is a bit more playful, looking a bit like a rib cage or something medieval. I suppose, it’s his attempt at appeasing the spirits 🙂  It consists of liver pate on home-baked rye bread with butter, with a rolled up slice of ham. This is topped with half-moon slices of onion rings, roasted garlic and a couple of dill pickles. Fennel seeds and ground black pepper spices it up a bit.

Liver Pate sandwich with ham, onions, roasted garlic, sweet pickles, and pepper
Liver Pate sandwich with ham, onions, roasted garlic, sweet pickles, and pepper

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Mashed Potato Sandwich on Ciabatta with Ham, Fried Onions, Pickles, Flax Seeds and Dukkah

For some, if not most, the concept of having a mashed potato sandwich may seem disturbing. However, if you find yourself wondering whether you are loosing your mind, you probably have never tasted one. They are delicious! So overcome your inhibitions, and make a mashed potato sandwich next time you have a little leftover. For this one I felt like adding flax seeds and ham. Since I want the ‘crunch’, I toasted half a ciabatta roll, and added fried onions on top for good measure. For a little hint of sourness, sweet dill pickles always does the trick, and a sprinkled of my newfound love, Dukkah, seals the deal.

Mashed potato sandwich with dukkah, mayonnaise, flak seeds, ham and fried onions
Mashed potato sandwich with dukkah, mayonnaise, flak seeds, ham and fried onions

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Cod Roe Sandwich with Remoulade, Capers, Fried Onions, Roasted Garlic and Ground Green Pepper

While this particular sandwich was made with cod roe from a can, we recommend you convince your local fishmonger to get you some fresh roe (especially if you can get it smoked). However this was all we had to work with. The sandwich is simple, yet classically Danish. A toasted piece of bread is smeared with roasted garlic. Add cod roe and squeeze lime on top. Top with remoulade, capers, fried onions and ground green pepper. Very good, and an upgrade from the sandwiches schoolchildren get to take to school in their backpacks. A reminder of my childhood school lunches.. but much improved.

Cod Roe on Rustic Bread Sandwich with Remoulade, Capers, Fried Onions, Roasted Garlic and Ground Green Pepper
Cod Roe on Rustic Bread Sandwich with Remoulade, Capers, Fried Onions, Roasted Garlic and Ground Green Pepper

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Spicy Spare Rib Sandwich with Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic

I have to admit I was looking forward to this beauty before we even started making the smoked spareribs. In fact, while we passed the Costco food isle, I saw this great spare ribs sale and I couldn’t help thinking of what a fantastic sandwich I could make with the leftovers. So, a couple of days later, after feasting on the ribs I finally got around to making this. I wanted to really bring out the flavor of the pork, while adding some classic ‘steak’ flavors on top. So, sautéed mushrooms and sweet chili sauce plus of course a few onion rings for the crunch factor.

Smoked pork spareribs sandwich with sauteed mushrooms and onions
Smoked Pork Spare Ribs Sandwich with Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions

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Potato Sandwich with Remoulade, Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Garlic and Tomatoes

I love potatoes and I love bread. This sandwich brings out the best in both of them. Half a ciabatta roll, toasted (for the ‘crunch’) and with a light spread of tarragon mustard. Add potato, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes and a few more things you can read about below, and you got yourself a treat for lunch. Yes, it’s as good as it looks!

I made this after a long day at work, one of those days where you really just want to get home and sleep, but you’re starving… Having a potato handy in the fridge from dinner the night before became my saving grace.

Potato ciabatta roll with pumpkin seeds and grape tomatoes
Potato on Ciabatta Roll with Pumpkin Seeds and Grape Tomatoes

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Smoked Cream Cheese Chicken Sandwich with Cucumber and Tomato

Perfect for those chicken leftovers in your fridge, and a great sandwich for the outdoors. This specimen was consumed on a sailing trip to Flakfortet (see also “The Flakfortet” potato sandwich). It is a spinach roll, with smoked cream cheese, roasted chicken from the night before, fresh heirloom tomatoes. and mini-cucumber slices. Sprinkle generously with dukkah and olives on the side, of course.

Chicken with Tomatoes rol
Chicken with Tomato

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Brie Sandwich with Avocado, Watercress and Sprouts

For me, one of the elements of a good sandwich is relevance. What do I mean? Each element brings something necessary to the sandwhich: the spread might serve to unite disparate flavors, the fried onions to give flavor and also add needed texture etc.  Nothing must be superfluous. Sometimes I fail in the relevance battle because I am outvoted by Anders for whom there is never just enough… in his sandwhich world view, there is always this little bit more that can be added.  As you can imagine, between my relevance approach and his delight in superfluity, we often need the United Nations to mediate our sandwhich choices. Sometimes I win. This little one is one such victory.

Smoked goat brie cheese sandwich with water crest salad and avocado
Brie sandwich with avocado, watercress and sprouts

 

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Mesquite Wood Smoked Turkey Cheese Sandwich

This is one of my favorite lunch items in downtown San Diego. It is served, surprisingly, at Ralphs, and is not only a great sandwich, but also very affordable at just $5.99.  I particularly enjoy the mesquite wood smoked turkey sandwich on nine grain & seed bread  (Toasted), with cajun and horseradish mayo. I usually get all the veggies, lettuce, green pepper, onion, tomato, sweet pickles, olives, etc, and in this case swiss cheese.

While I can’t claim to be the chef, this sandwich was designed by me, so I think I can claim the recipe at least 🙂

Mesquite Wood Smoked Turkey cheese sandwich with veggies
The entire huge Mesquite Wood Smoked Turkey cheese sandwich with veggies

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Lavash Crackers with Spices and Seeds

Don’t be intimidated by the length of this lavash cracker recipe, or the ingredient list.  The process is a bit involved and definitely requires more time than a sandwich but the effort is well worth it. With a little attention, even novice bakers will be able to make this a staple in their pantries.  Add the spices and seeds you like, and make it your own creation.

Lavash Crackers with Spices and Seeds
Lavash Crackers with Spices and Seeds

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Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Guacamole Sandwich

The past few weeks have been excessively hot.. even for the normally excessively high summer temperatures in Poway.   Case in point – two nights ago at 10:00 pm, I had all the windows and doors open to drop the house temperature to a respectable 8oF.   With temperatures like this, there is just  no way I was going to do any cooking that required more than 5 minutes over a hot stove.  This makes sandwiches an ideal meal. Paired with a side salad, it’s a wonderful way to beat the heat while taking care of nutritional needs.

Cilantro Lemon Shrimp Sandwich on Guacamole
Cilantro lemon shrimp sandwich on guacamole

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