LEFTOVERS: SENSATIONAL SANDWICH BUFFET

Boxing Day is the perfect time for a Sandwich Free-for-All to take advantage of Christmas Day's leftovers...

Ham Hock & Celeriac & Apple Slaw, one of many sensational sandwich fillings

 

The art of providing a sensational sandwich buffet is variety; arrange everything attractively on a large table covered with a wipe-clean tablecloth.  Elevate some bowls and plates by placing an upturned bowl or plate underneath.

You'll need plenty of protein, lots of salads and fruit.

Here are some suggestions:

Protein: at least three of

• turkey
• ham/shredded ham hock or salt beef
• fish: cooked or smoked salmon, smoked mackerel or tinned tuna (see: Skinnier Sandwiches:  fish)
• pates
• hard boiled eggs or egg salad
• cheeses

Provide several knives and spoons

Bread & Rolls:

Obviously these will have to be purchased in advance; if freezing the rolls, defrost the night before they're needed then heat in a moderate (350f/180c) oven in a damp paper bag or in their cellophane wrapping 5-10 mins. 

• a selection of rolls piled in a big bowl or heaped on a board (Morrisons does a selection of 4 large pick & mix rolls: wholemeal, tomato, kaiser, bagels etc for £1.00'ish -- 12 fresh mixed rolls for £3 is a terrific bargain in 67's book; other supermarkets also offer pick'n mix) 
• a large crusty French stick
• common-all-garden sliced white and/or brown bread
• pumpernickel or other specialist bread

(Stale bread and rolls make great bread & butter puddings: go to Recipes Page/Bakery)

Salad/s: Bowls or plates of...

• undressed sliced tomatoes
• undressed sliced cucumbers
• undressed washed, dried lettuce (English lettuce is 60p a head)
• pickle spears: dill and/or sweet
• slaw: celeriac, plum & sweetcorn slaw 

(Leftover salad, as long as it is undressed, can be added to vegetable stock/broth to intensify the flavour)

Lower-calorie spreads:

• butter, but only on one half of the sandwich 
• low-fat spreads (M&S Slightly Salted has no E numbers)
• thinly sliced avocado

Dressings

• yoghurt-mayo
• mayonnaise
• cranberry sauce
• mustards
• Piccalilly
• chutneys

Fruit

• thinly sliced apple & pear, dipped in lemon juice & water, add wonderful crunch & sweetness to meat or cheese
• halved grapes complement cheese
• berries are terrific with cream cheese

And don't forget:

• cold potatoes or mash; they taste great in a sandwich
• plenty of gravy for hot open faced sandwiches

For crowd-pleasing make-your-own fillings, look at:

Skinnier Sandwiches: meat

Skinnier Sandwiches:  fish

Skinnier Sandwiches: vegetarian

And if anyone demands something hot, have them make their own... 

• Hot Turkey Sandwiches: standard buttered white sliced layered with turkey and any or all off cold stuffing, potatoes & veg, covered with thick hot gravy and eaten with a knife and fork
• sandwiches buttered on the outside and cooked till golden in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat
• sandwiches dipped in egg and cooked till golden in a heavy bottomed frying pan over medium heat
• sandwiches grilled in a panini or sandwich press

 And/or...throw some baking potatoes into the oven a good hour before mealtime; wash & dry taters, remove any blemishes, roll in oil, salt & pepper and bake naked on the oven rack for a crispy skin and soft inside

See also: How to make healthier sandwiches 2019

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.