The sandwich is undoubtedly the most famous sandwich in the world! Stuffed with every delicacy, tasty and ideal when we are assailed by a sudden attack of hunger, the stuffed sandwich is the right dish to treat yourself to during any time of the day. We know it well at Babingtons who, from morning to night, are always ready to cook for you so many goodies! But what are the origins of the sandwich?
Who invented the sandwich?
The sandwich boasts Anglo-Saxon origins. In fact, it owes its name to John Montagu IV, Earl of Sandwich, who lived during the second half of the 18th century, exactly 301 years ago.
The count was an avid and assiduous card player. Legend has it that within the walls of a famous London pub, the “Cocoa-tree,” he loved to play endless games with friends. Undeterred and not to miss a single moment, the count only indulged in quick snacks. During an exhausting game that lasted for more than 24 hours and for which the count had staked a lot of money, in order not to lose concentration and not to give in to fatigue, he asked a waiter to bring him “pieces of cold beef hidden in a couple of slices of bread.” In this way, the indefatigable count would be able to continue playing cards with one hand, while with the other he would bite into the sandwich. All present, in response, asked “the same as in Sandwich!” .
The popularity of the sandwich
Over time, the sandwich has traveled overseas, was first mentioned in cookbooks only in the mid 1800s, and is now popular all over the world. Just think that the most avid consumers are Americans who consume an average of 300million of them every day!
This is precisely why it is their Department of Agriculture that defines how a real sandwich should be composed … there really is something for everyone!
Taste and sophistication to recreate in your home
We at Babingtons have decided to give you a gift! In this delicate and special time in history, which we hope will end soon so that we can return to pampering you immersed in the timeless charm of our tea room, we want to show you our closeness by sharing with you the recipes of some of the sandwiches you love most!
Indulge in a tasty break, and to add even more value to your snack, follow our tips on how to pair sandwiches with blends that enhance the flavor by making your snack unique. Try closing your eyes-can you feel the atmosphere of our tea room?
Sandwiches with tuna and mint
Let’s start by preparing 8 slices of white cassette bread;
Drain 200 g of tuna in oil;
Add 12-15 chopped mint leaves, salt, pepper and a drop of lemon juice. Let the mixture rest for 1h in the refrigerator;
Spread 50 g soft butter on the bread slices and spread a layer of dough on 4 slices and then cover them;
Cut off the bread crusts and decorate as desired!
We suggest you accompany it with:
Egg and poppy seed sandwich
Start by preparing 8 slices of white cereal or whole wheat bread, depending on your taste;
Firm 3 eggs, chop them coarsely and mix with 50gr mayonnaise, 2gr poppy seeds and a pinch of salt;
Spread the butter on the bread slices then add a thick layer of the mixture and cover with the other bread slices;
Cut off the crusts and devote yourself to preparing the accompanying drink:
Imperial breakfast, blend of Ceylon Assam, Darjeeling and Kenya black teas dedicated to the sovereigns of England. Exceptionally bold and lively will enhance the flavor of your sandwich.
Cucumber Sandwich
After arranging your 8 slices of bread loaf, prepare 3 cucumbers to cut into rounds, sprinkle them with 2 pinches of salt and let them drain inside a colander for about 2h;
Gently squeeze the cucumber slices and place them in a bowl with the juice of ½ lemon, a drop of olive oil, salt and pepper;
To prepare the 60gr green butter you will need:
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley;
100gr soft butter;
1 tablespoon lemon juice;
salt and fresh pepper.
Now you will be ready to spread a thick layer of green butter on the bread to cover with the cucumber slices!
It is time to heat the water to prepare: