Have your fill of the sandwich

Today is the birth anniversary of the Fourth Earl of Sandwich. It's also called Sandwich Day, in honour of the man who taught the world to fix a meal in a jiffy.

Who would have ever thought there would come a day dedicated to a particular food? Today is Sandwich Day, a time of appreciation for the best thing to happen since sliced bread.

Originally an English dish, the sandwich has come to be the bread and butter, so-to-speak, of many lives.

Some people cannot start their day without a sandwich, while others like to enjoy it as a quick lunch or a hefty dinner.

And although the basics are the same, there is no limit as to what you can stuff inside.

Legend has it the sandwich was initially named after the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montague. Although this 18th-century aristocrat, in the court of King George III did not actually invent the food, it is believed he was in the middle of a card game when he asked his servant to put some meat between two slices of bread.

The known gambler became very fond of this type of food as it allowed him to continue playing his card games and eat at the same time.

In honour of Earl

Hence, Sandwich Day has come to be observed on the Earl's birthday.

For a long time, the sandwich was regarded as a dish that men shared over night games but gradually it made its way into society as a late-night meal for the upper class.

It was only in the 19th century that sandwiches grew in popularity, as the demand for quick and inexpensive meals increased. This happened due to the rise of industrial societies which made this meal an essential part of one's day-to-day life.

Soon, various kinds of sandwiches began surfacing outside England and by the 20th century, it became a staple diet for most Americans and just as popular as a fast meal.

Studies show United States residents consume around 45 million sandwiches every year on an average, the most popular being the mighty burger.

Tracing the beginnings of the burger, however, is not that easy. The city of Seymour, in the county of Wisconsin, US, claims to be the place where it all began. Even a burger Hall of Fame was built to prove the naysayers wrong!

Since sandwiches were first introduced to the hungry public, hundreds of fillings were introduced and experimented with to suit the taste buds of every consumer.

Fillings

Some of the most popular sandwich fillings include peanut butter and jelly — peanut butter and jam to the English.

It might seem a little strange at first but once you acquire the taste, you will find yourself getting addicted to it. In fact, it was following the Second World War that soldiers were given peanut butter and jam sandwiches. It went on to become as widespread as it is today. And who can forget the toast — the most crucial meal to start our day with.

Modern variations

Today we also have the panini, a kind of toasted bread which is pressed while grilling and is also stamped in many restaurants across the globe.

Famous chains such as Subway and Quiznos, have also adopted the toaster-oven method which warms the meat and melts the cheese.

If you have a sweet tooth, toast some bread and add a bit of chocolate spread, such as Nutella, or even a banana, and you are on a roll!

Variety: Popular bites

Sloppy Joes: Shredded beef is cooked in a skillet along with seasoned tomato sauce or paste. It is then spread in between two slices of buns. Vegetables can be also be used instead of meat.

Club sandwich: Place two layers of turkey meat, lettuce and tomato in between three slices of bread. Other ingredients can also be added.

Cheesesteak or Philly cheesesteak: Place thin slices of steak and melted cheese on a long roll. Optional ingredients include onions, mushrooms and hot sauce.

Submarine sandwich: Meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato and other sauces or dressings are spread inside a baguette or French bread.

Tuna salad: Tuna fish, celery, grapes, oregano, basil, pickles, pepper, onions and garlic among others, are filled inside the sandwich.

Reuben sandwich: Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island or Russian dressing spread typically on Rye bread.

Combo: A bit of twist
Here are a few interesting, but tasty, sandwich fillers:

French fries and ketchup
Cucumber and strawberry
Walnuts and cream cheese
Jam and cheese
Ravioli and sponge cake
Tuna mayonnaise and apple
Banana and cheese