In theory, a perfectly balanced meal includes some protein, but not too much; a vegetable or two; some fruit and a carbohydrate. Such a meal also should balance tastes - savory, a little sour or bitter maybe, perhaps some sweet and salt - and textures, from chewy to succulent to crisp. Let's go a step further and propose that this meal also can conveniently be eaten while playing cards.
Read the complete article at Kitchen Window.
Kevin Weeks is a Gather food correspondent (Paisano), personal chef, cooking teacher, and writer in Knoxville, Tennessee who spends too many hours on his feet, cooking. "Paisano" is a column focused on peasant dishes from around the world. To read more of Kevin's writings or connect to him click here. His blog,Seriously Good, is read by 100,000 cooks a month and in addition he writes a weekly column forSpot-Onand is the Guide for Cooking for Two at About.com.
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Comments: 22
I'm with you. We've evolved as omnivores and our digestive systems are optimized to make the best possible use of the broadest range of foods - whenever and however we come across them.
I used to send DH to work packing two-fisted monsters that required all his concentration.
Now, the dainty English tea sandwich certainly works with cards!
OTOH, the classic grilled cheese makes fingers greasy enough to mess up the cards.
I agree that we can eat anything because it is how we are designed.
I've had a real one at Gino's. But with a little forethought and careful wrapping one should be able to at least mostly eat it one-handed, same with a grilled cheese, I've eaten those while working at my computer with the other hand.
The original Cubano does not call for any salami. The only Cubano with salami was a take on the original by the cigar making Cuban emigrees in the Ybor City section of Tampa and that was because there were also Italians who lived or worked in the area.
Mustard is optional and mayo never....butter, yes!
Also, I hate to nit-pic, but the original Cubano is done in a plancha or smooth griddle type press. No strips like with a panini press..
;-)
The small 'cousin' to the Cubano is the "Medianoche" or Midnight sandwich. Made exactly the same way as the Cubano but smaller and using a sweet egg bread along the lines of the Portuguese Pao Duce, but shaped into an oval bun - a bit thicker than a regular hot dog bun but longer than a hamburger roll.
I read with interest Alison's "natural hygiene diet" posts. Indeed, I remember when Sally Struthers came out with her lifestyle/diet book decades ago. She was a big proponent of never eating protein and grains together, for digestive reason. I can't say it works over the long-haul though....
Thanks for the Cubano to sandwhich dictionarySonia!
as I read the first sentence of Kevin's section on the Cubano, I was thinking three things -- Cuba, Tampa, and the whole state of Florida, not only Miami, please. and no mayo.
Kevin,
but it's a great article. really enjoyed the range of sandwiches you chose, thanks.
I knew most of that (I do my research), as well as loads of additional details about muffalettas, bhan mis, and shawarmas - not to mention all the sandwiches I didn't mention, which I've also been hearing about. There's only so much information one can include in an article.
Kerry,
I'm just waiting for the New Orleans, Middle-Eastern, and Vietnamese readers to weigh with how badly I screwed up their sandwiches.
Donna,
My original version of that article was over twice as long, and could have been longer yet - I didn't even touch on condiments except for the reference to garlic chile sauce.
As an aside, when I was a kid, my dad used to take me to a deli where the owner was named Art and his motto was, "Every sandwich is a work of Art." I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to accommodate those sandwiches back then and I still can't now!
The Dagwood originated in the Dagwood comic strip. The main character, Dagwood, was famous for making mile-high sandwiches out of whatever he could find in the fridge.
Sonia & Kerry,
I wasn't offended, just explaining. Oh, and I did get a complaint about my Bhan Mi.
I'm glad it makes you happy. So do my sandwiches.