I started 2020 with what seemed like a simple idea: make 52 sandwiches—one a week—blog about it, then pick my favourites at year end. What a challenge and mostly pleasant experience this has been. So much so that it’s really hard to narrow my favourite sandwiches down to my top 10. But in my mythical pop up sandwich shop, these are probably the 10 sandwiches that would go on the menu.
The Coney Island Dog
I know, I know. A hot dog makes my top 10 list? I spent a lot of time researching sandwiches for this blog, but I put in more thought and work into the Coney Island Dog than any other sandwich in A Year of Sandwiches, if only because the Coney Island sauce recipes that I came across online were kind of gross. I took inspiration from the Greek origins of the Coney Island Dog and made my own sauce—one good enough to top a hot dog or to go into a moussaka.
Pan Con Tomate
I love this Spanish-style sandwich for its utter simplicity: rustic bread, rubbed with garlic, brushed with olive oil, toasted, then rubbed with a half of a fresh, peak summertime tomato. Season with Maldon salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Perfection.
Muenster cheese breakfast sandwich
I adore breakfast sandwiches, but this one’s special. It’s a combination of caramelized onions, silky soft scrambled eggs, and melted muenster cheese on a brioche bun. What made this sandwich extra special is that I managed to recreate it based on my pre-pandemic trip to Egg Bae in Kensington Market (Toronto). It was so good I immediately went shopping for the ingredients and made it the very next day. It’s restaurant worthy.
Teriyaki chicken burger
I would have never thought that a chicken burger would make my top 10 list, but this was a challenge for me to make: I hate dealing with raw chicken, I hate BBQing, yet I overcame those obstacles to make the most delicious chicken burger that I’ve ever had. That sauce? Chef’s kiss.
Mushroom wrap
I made a jar of toum (pillowy garlic sauce) and homemade flatbreads for this delectable vegetarian sandwich. And I’d do it all over again, it’s that good.
Shrimp toast
Making a shrimp paste to spread on rustic toast and broil, coupled with an Asian-inspired dipping sauce makes this a delicious appetizer for cocktail/mocktail hour.
Black bean melt
I’m not a huge fan of black beans but pop this Mexican-inspired black bean paste and cheese number into a hot oven then top with a refreshing pico de gallo and this is a study in contrasts. It was so good I made it all over again the very next day.
Patty melt
This might be my favourite sandwich photo of the year. There’s something about a stack of patty melts that is enticing. And I adore a good patty melt. It’s far better than the overrated hamburger (fight me!).
Pesto cabrese loaf
This is how you feed a crowd in summertime, taking all of the flavours of a caprese salad—peak summertime tomatoes, buffala mozzarella, and homemade pizza—and stuffing that into a sourdough loaf, pressed under a cast iron pan in the fridge to let those flavours meld. Best sliced into wedges and served cold, but pop that thing in the oven for melty goodness and no one will complain.
Crab cake sliders
These crab cake sliders are crunchy, the red cabbage slaw is tart, and the homemade tartar sauce is tangy. It’s a party on a platter.
Honourable mentions
Yeah, I know I’m cheating, but here are a few more sandwiches that deserve top 10 status.
Lobster rolls
Craig & his mom helped me make these for her 70th birthday brunch, pre-pandemic. It was decadent.
French dip
I made the roast beef and dip from scratch—spending more time researching french dip recipes that I should admit, then making my own version. Better than what they serve in restaurants IMO.
Hot chicken sandwich
Someone on Facebook called this old-fashioned hot chicken sandwich a “heart attack on a plate”. Yeah, maybe, but it was a special treat. And, yes, I made that gravy from scratch.
Philly cheesesteak
The Philly cheesesteak is iconic for a reason.
Thanksgiving sandwich
The secret ingredient is Craig’s idea of a “stuffing burger”. Game changer.
Tartines
They’re pretty and I totally invented these sandwiches.
— Trish Hennessy
A Year in Sandwiches 