Between the Bread

Improvising With Eggplant and Goat Cheese

nancyeinhart — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:39:46 PST

I am powerless to shiny new food products at Trader Joe's. So when I recently spotted a melange of grilled eggplant and zucchini in the frozen food aisle, I bought a bag without any idea how I'd use it.

One night, an ideal sandwich came together. Happily burdened with leftover pistachio-infused goat cheese from some yummy stuffed dates I made, I dreamed up another Trader Joe's sandwich special.

I heated the grilled eggplant and zucchini, which even from freezer to microwave tasted deliciously chargrilled. Then, I lightly toasted a Trader Joe's whole wheat pita and spread on TJ's black olive tapenade.

After stuffing the pockets with the grilled veggies and spinach, I slathered on some goat cheese and melted it slightly in the oven. The resulting Mediterranean-flavored pocket was warm, hearty, and worth repeating.

Ahoy (Again) to Peg Leg Pete's Grouper Sandwich

nancyeinhart — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:40:28 PST

I have already sung the praises of Peg Leg Pete's fried grouper sandwich, but one visit wasn't enough. So on my last trip to Pensacola, dad, Dee, and I took Andrew to taste the strange deliciousness of American cheese on fried fish.

Thankfully, Peg Leg's did not disappoint. We ordered two dozen oysters, an afternoon bushwacker, and a few fish sammies. I got the Cajun grilled grouper this time (below), and though the fish is just as succulent and buttery, the fried version still wins out.

I don't necessarily subscribe to the philosophy that everything is better fried, but Peg Leg's just knows how to treat a slab of battered grouper. The fish is so indulgently unctuous, like a buried treasure in a kaiser bun with cheese. Just trust me on this.

A Tempeh Take on Banh Mi

nancyeinhart — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:05:53 PST

The first time I encountered tempeh, I was a high-schooler venturing trepidatiously into a vegetarian restaurant in Atlanta, and the soy patty sandwich blew me away.

Since then, I have never had tempeh that impressed me much, until this tempeh banh mi at Urban Picnic. The protein is savory, spiced, and layered with flavor, like a good marinated meat.

More details and photos after the jump.

Making the Schlotzsky's Connection

nancyeinhart — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:45:41 PST

For years, I've been connecting through Houston airport and longingly passing by a Schlotzsky's counter, but I never seem to end up there at meal time. This year, our stop en route to Pensacola fell around lunch hour, so we finally got to enjoy one of the muffuletta-inspired sandwiches.

We ordered the Turkey, Original-style; the Original is the sandwich that launched Schlotzsky's in Austin, TX. Featuring turkey, salami, three cheeses, onions, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and black olives inspired by muffulettas' olive salad, this Schlotzsky's sammie came on the usual giant round bread, which was just as tasty as I remembered. Overall, the sandwich wasn't as great as my previously experiences with Schlotzsky's, but for airport food, it was outstanding.

A Waffle Sandwich Dine and Dash

Nancy Einhart — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:32:11 PST

Waffles are an underrated sandwich vehicle, but I'm a big fan of salty-sweet waffle sandwiches. So when I heard about a cafe in San Francisco earning props for its waffle creations, I put it on the sand wist list. When I finally made it to Dash Cafe, the waffle sandwiches underwhelmed me, but maybe I caught them on a bad day. At least the Belgian-style waffles showed promise; click through to see.

'Wich Trip: Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe

nancyeinhart — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:24:57 PST

I have long been drawn to Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe for the name alone. It can't beat Taco's Sandwiches (in name or in taste), but Mario's makes up for it with old-world coziness. I finally made it to Mario's for the famed focaccia sandwiches and panini, so get a taste and take a 'wich trip.

Hidden Gem: Rhea's Deli in San Francisco

nancyeinhart — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:17:23 PST

Range may have a Michelin star, but Rhea's Deli, on the same block of Valencia in San Francisco's Mission District, has the underground gourmet grub. From the street, it looks like any old neighborhood market, but inside, it crafts big, brash sandwiches that meld very SF ingredients (like Acme bread) with exotic flavors like katsu pork and Korean marinated steak. Click through to see what you're missing.

A Tale of Three Tortas: Massive Tortas in the Mission

nancyeinhart — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:49:19 PST

Last but hardly least in my tale of three tortas comes San Francisco's very own That's It market, an unassuming corner store on Mission and 23rd that's been on my sand wish list ever since Anthony Bourdain downed the gargantuan cubano torta on No Reservations

Once a hidden gem, That's It is now infamous for its cubano, a massive serving of late-night drunken sustenance that includes ham, chorizo, pork, bacon, and ham. Wow. Massive amounts of meat aren't really my thing, so I opted for the chicken torta (pictured below) while Andrew ordered the ham (above), both of which were plenty massive - and massively delicious. Get the full lowdown.

Sandwiches Around the Web

nancyeinhart — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:45:23 PST

Scanwiches goes from sandwich blog to photo book - Fast Company Co.Design
7 sandwiches to try in Los Angeles - PopSugar LA
31 beloved American sandwiches - Serious EatsCheck out these amazing cheeseburger cupcakes - Insanewiches
Pal's Takeaway starts offering (nonsandwich) TV dinners - SFoodie

Nancy Between the Bread

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:53:12 PST

Nancy Einhart reblogged this from PhotoShopStyle and added:

I never dreamed someone would make me into a sandwich! What an honor.