Sandwiches: open and closed

Sandwiches are a versatile and delicious meal option that can be enjoyed anytime. In German, a sandwich is bread and butter; in common everyday terminology, it is a slice of bread with some snack food (cheese, ham, sausage, caviar, smoked meat or fish, tinned food, etc.).

There are open sandwiches, closed sandwiches (sandwiches) and small sandwiches on toasted bread canapés and tartines. The most common type of sandwich is a slice of bread with any product. 

For open sandwiches, bread is cut into small slices about 1-1.5 cm thick, spread with butter (except when prepared with fatty foods) and garnished with various snacks. They come in many different varieties, but they can be broadly categorised into two main types: open-faced and closed-faced.

Popular Open-Faced Sandwiches

✓ Avocado Toast:
 A classic choice featuring ripe avocado, toast, and often topped with a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and a poached egg.

✓ Grilled Cheese:
A comfort food staple that can be elevated with different types of cheese, bread, and additional toppings like bacon or tomato.

✓ Reuben:
A hearty sandwich with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread.

✓ Croque-Monsieur:
A French classic featuring ham, cheese, and bechamel sauce, often topped with a poached egg.

Closed-faced sandwiches

These sandwiches consist of two slices of bread with fillings in between.

Both slices are spread with butter, sometimes pre-mixed with various seasonings - mustard (for ham, sausage), grated cheese, horseradish (for fish), and sauces. On one slice of bread put the product, and the other tightly cover the top.

For the preparation of closed sandwiches, it is recommended approximately this combination of products:

✓ boiled ham and butter and mustard;

✓ boiled veal and butter and mustard;

✓ roast beef (roast meat) and butter;

✓ roast chicken and butter;

✓ cheese (can be grated) and butter;

✓ tinned sardine paste and grated cheese;

✓ sliced herring and butter with eggs and mustard;

✓ cold smoked fish and butter;

✓ boiled fish and butter with horseradish;

✓ paste chopped nuts and garlic with mayonnaise.

Factors to consider when choosing between open and closed sandwiches:

• Personal preference: The type of sandwich you choose will depend on your personal taste and preferences.
• Occasion: Open-faced sandwiches are often considered more casual, while closed-faced sandwiches can be more formal.
• Ingredients: Some ingredients, such as a large amount of filling, may be better suited for a closed-faced sandwich.

No matter which type of sandwich you choose, there are endless possibilities for personalization. You can experiment with different bread types, fillings, toppings, and sauces to create your perfect sandwich.