People say you should fill the food you cook with love when it comes to sandwiches this is exactly the case. There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you fill a sandwich with, each time showing love differently. A sandwich could be a pick me up for a friend, the highlight of a lunch box, or even a dainty showstopper at a high tea.

Starting with the bread that is used – this is the key to a perfect sandwich. A rustic ciabatta, a fluffy farm bread, or a glossy brioche bun all equally heavenly foundations for your scrumptious sandwich. Take note: Sandwiches made with artisan bread and regular bread can both be memorable, because who would ever say no to a toasted sarmie made with soft store-bought white bread?

There are so many ways to personalise and chop and change the fillings of a sandwich whether it be meaty, vegetarian, or even sweet. The key is to get the flavours right and not have them overpower one another. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami – these five elements are the holy grail of cooking and in this case, building your dream sandwich. Picture this – Two slices of sweet wholewheat raisin bread, a spread of addictive salmon flavoured cream cheese, crisp lettuce, some beautiful smoked trout, topped with sweet and sour gherkins and small pickled beetroot slices. What more do you need! Protein AND fats that are good for you…what a dream.

The wonderful thing about the sandwich-building journey you’re about to embark on is that there isn’t truly a right or wrong when it comes to what you want on your sandwich. Who said pasta is the only comfort food? A sandwich can put a smile on anyone’s face and be the perfect thing to start or end your day. Here are some sandwiches that my family and I can safely say put a smile on our faces and kept us healthy…

Smoked Trout Wholewheat Sandwich

This Smoked Trout Wholewheat Sandwich will have to get me through the first day of school. It has been a much-needed rest since December last year, but now it is time to go back to school. I am sure many parents and students are in the same predicament as I am.

The Smoked Trout Wholewheat Sandwich has enough fiber and good protein to sustain you until home time.

Why is Trout an excellent choice?

It is a very good source of protein. An average portion (about 85 grams) has no less than 19 grams protein. Protein is necessary for a body’s normal function. They are essential building blocks for muscles, hair, skin, nails, skin, blood, and cartilage.

Trout has some good fat. Your body needs some good fat, yes it does. The fats you should stay away from are saturated fats, processed fats. The omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids are important for healthy aging, yet the body cannot make it. Trout and Salmon therefore is good for you, because it is packed with these fatty acids.

If you have blood pressure issues, trout is also rich in potassium, which is good for maintaining blood pressure.

Trout contains Phosphorus which is needed for a healthy digestives system.

Trout also has high levels of the B – vitamin complex.

So, you have to agree, it is an excellent choice. Use the smoked trout as a sandwich topping on a wholewheat bread and layer it with a few other healthy ingredients and you are sure to be happy when it is lunchtime. Trust me, even children will eat this, although it might seem like a bit of a grown-up sandwich.

Smoked Trout Wholewheat Sandwich

makes 4 sandwiches (one for mom, one for dad and one for each of the kids)

Ingredients

8 slices wholewheat raisin bread – the sweetness of the raisins pair beautifully with the salmon.

Butter for spread – optional

200 g Threestreams Cold smoked Trout

250 g tub Cream cheese – salmon flavour

4 sweet and sour gherkins – cut into very small cubes

4 small pickled beetroots – drain and cut in thin slices

freshly ground pepper

Fresh lettuce of your choice

Method

Butter all 8 slices of bread. Spread the cream cheese lavishly on 4 of the slices. Top with the crispy lettuce leaves. Divide the salmon between the 4 slices of bread and lay on top of the lettuce. Place
the thin slices of beetroot and gherkin cubes on the salmon. Grind some black pepper on top and place the other slice of bread on top.

But why not make things exciting with a sweet surprise. An absolute show stopper on my Christmas table each year is a icecream sandwich. Here’s my recipe…

Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients

2 liter good quality vanilla ice cream

2 x  150g Woolworths Vanilla Wafers

100 g fresh raspberries

Method

Line your baking tray or dish with cling wrap with enough plastic hanging over to cover the sandwiches when you are done. Pack a layer of wafers in the bottom tightly against each other. In a large mixing bowl, add the ice cream and with a spatula, soften the ice cream. Spread in a thick layer over the wafer biscuits. work as fast as you can. Press the raspberries into the ice cream. Top with another layer of wafers. Cover up with the plastic and freeze over night. When ready to serve, remove from the baking dish and cut into sandwiches. Serve immediately.