Even more sandwiches?!
You betcha!
I think it’s safe to say that after this last week we could all use a minute of distraction. I know I could. On top of everything else I was battling the flu all week. Thankfully, I had recorded some extra episodes before hitting the road for our last mini-leg so you didn’t miss a beat.
Speaking of Sandwiches of History: LIVE!, I’ve got dates coming up and I’d love to see you there!
Oh, and New Orleans has been re-scheduled for May 28th with tickets available.
Before we get into the sandwiches, just a heads up that I’ve started posting adapted recipes each day to my blog. I say adapted because I’m not about to leave you hanging by not “saying how much.” Now you can try ‘em out to you too!
The Sandwiches of the Week 🥪
Saturday, January 27, 2025
Cheese Mayonnaise Sandwich (1943)
Victory Binding of American Woman’s Cook Book
Rating: 5 1/2
Plus up: Tomato, black pepper, and grilled cheese treatment using mayonnaise
Plussed up rating: 7
As straightforward as this sounded, the process by which the mayonnaise was made was, shall we say, odd? Some hypothesized that it was to cooking oil rationing during WW II. Given that rationing of fats including cooking oil didn’t start until March 29th, 1943 it’s kind of hard to say. After all this book was published in 1943. Either way other than being a bit salty it was ok. I used a tomato to help offset the salt, a little pepper, and the grilled cheese treatment to plus up. Tasty, if not rich.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Hot Chicken Sandwich (1920)
Calendar of Sandwiches and Beverages
Rating: 6
Plus up: Pickled pepperoncini, cheddar cheese (broiled)
Plussed up rating: 7
This sandwich was tasty if not a wee bit messy given the gravy pour over. And yes it was rather reminiscent of the Hot Chicken Sandwich from Quebec. Plussed it up with some bright pepperoncini and melted cheddar cheese. Tastier for sure but not something I’m inclined to make again anytime soon.
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Wednesday, January 29, 2025
New Sandwich (1931)
White Lily Flour Cook Book
Rating: 6 1/2
Plus up: Tajíin
Plussed up rating: 7
Was this one a surprise? Yes, yes it was. On paper this didn’t sound great. Boiled dressing, pimiento, and pineapple? Yet, the tanginess of the dressing, the savoriness of the pimiento, and the sweetness of the pineapple all just kinda…worked. Plussed it up with the tart slightly spicy Tajíin which really amped things up.
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Thursday, January 30, 2025
Chicken Barb (regional history)
Rating: 7 1/2
Plus up: Pickled jalapeños and crispy chicken skin
Plussed up rating: 8 1/2
I first heard about the Chicken Barb pretty close to when I started Sandwiches of History. And I’ve been meaning to get to it. Then, I forgot all about it. That is, until my friend Jim from Sandwich Tribunal reminded me. And I am glad he did. I loved all the poultry spice used in it. And using chicken thighs meant not having to worry about the chicken getting dry. I decided to punch up the plus up on this with some pickled jalapeños and get some extra chickeny goodness by baking the chicken skin I had to remove from the thighs. So good.
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Find out NPR said Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook on their “Books We Love” for 2024!
Friday, January 31, 2025
Pacific Paragon Sandwich (1950s/60s)
Marston’s Tea Room San Diego
Rating: 7 1/2
Plus up: Seasoned tomato wedges and closed up
Plussed up rating: 8 1/2
This was never not gonna be great. It had turkey, bacon, avocado, and a blue cheese dressing. As many aptly pointed out, a Cobb Salad sandwich. To plus it up, I simply added the tomato garnish and closed it up to make it easier to eat.
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Saturday, February 1, 2025
Peanut Butter and Miracle Whip Sandwich (our history)
Rating: 1
Plus up: None
Nope. That said, one correction. I wrote this down in my notes app at the Chicago show and mistakenly attributed it to Katie (she let me know about the error was a super good sport about it). Sorry, Katie!
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Sunday, February 2, 2024
Yakisoba Pan Revisited (Japan)
International Sandwich Sunday
Rating: 8
Plus up: Kewpie mayonnaise
Plussed up rating: 8 1/2 - 9
I know this is going to come as a surprise but I am not perfect. To wit, my first attempt at this sandwich was based on a questionable recipe. So much so that I deleted the first one and recorded this, more authentic version. And this time I went to a solid source, Just One Cookbook. This was tangy yet rich, savory, and filling. Not something I should eat at lot of or too often but definitely worth it.
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Well, that’s it for this week. Thanks for watching Sandwiches of History and/or In The Chips with Barry, I greatly appreciate it.
Cheers,
Barry 🥪
Barry! I recall a story on instagram sort of recently where you were asking about venues for various prospective Sandwiches of History Live dates and one of them was Toronto - ya, come to Toronto!
Not sure if you're still planning this but just in case, I have a couple of suggestions for you - capacity in parentheses:
The Cameron House (70)
The Baby G (170)
The Drake Hotel (200)
The Rivoli (240)
The Garrison (270)
Lula Lounge (340)
Hope that helps - can't wait to see you live in Toronto!