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Kara and I have had an impossible time picking a winner for our most recent Weekend Genius Challenge, where we asked you to chime in with your more unusual (but easy-to-make) sandwich concoctions. Here are three things I have to say to all of you sandwich-makers out there:
1. There are other flavors of jelly besides grape.
2. I’m not very happy to see that someone other than my grandfather eats fried bologna sandwiches. I’ve long been saving that as an excuse to say genetics make me “why I am the way I am.”
3. Snack chips belong on the side of a sandwich, not on the sandwich itself. They may be tasty, but they sure make a lot of crumbs.
Reading the hundreds of recipes made us alternately ill and hungry. There was lots of “Why on earth would anyone put ________ on a sandwich?” (fill in the blank with “oatmeal,” “condensed bean-with-bacon soup,” and so on. Anyway, we’ve pulled ten of our favorites. We ask you to vote on which one you think is best, and we’ll reveal a winner this weekend. Please vote by commenting to this post with the letter corresponding to your choice. Here they are:
A. ham, apple slices & melted cheese (toasted)
B. cheese, turkey & salsa (grilled)
C. peanut butter, bananas & chocolate chips
D. cheddar & sauerkraut (grilled)
E. corned beef, chopped liver, yellow mustard on rye
F. peanut butter, marshmallow fluff & bananas
G. cheese, pineapple & bacon (grilled)
H. deviled ham, cucumber & mayo
I. the skin from KFC & BBQ sauce on white bread
J. peanut butter, golden raisins & honey on an English muffin
Make your choice, and we’ll tally the votes this weekend. (Remember, we must approve comments before they show up, so don’t panic if it doesn’t appear right away.) Thanks!
I vote for F.
Chopped liver gives me the shivers. :)
posted by mrs.djs on 1-31-2008 at 2:35 pm
I vote for B…I might have to try that tonight actually…
posted by bas on 1-31-2008 at 2:39 pm
A
posted by Candiru on 1-31-2008 at 2:40 pm
G. Yuck! Why ruin the lovely bacon?
posted by Lottie on 1-31-2008 at 2:41 pm
I. Definitely. That is a southern sandwich if I ever saw one.
posted by Harvey on 1-31-2008 at 2:42 pm
I vote for ‘H’. BTW – you slammed both my entries! Flat Hot Dogs ARE why I am the way I am ‘-}. Am honored to be in a category with your G-father! (Is he from Western PA?)
posted by JaneM on 1-31-2008 at 2:45 pm
I vote for D. Anything with peanut butter now seems so mundane.
posted by Richard on 1-31-2008 at 2:48 pm
C
potato chips are great on a sandwich, it tastes good and gives a nice crispy sound when you take a bite.
posted by david on 1-31-2008 at 2:48 pm
A !! :)
I love this one which is why I submitted it!
posted by tulip on 1-31-2008 at 2:50 pm
I vote for F. I know they say that chocolate and bacon makes everything taste better, but I’m a true believer that everything you eat can be improved with peanut butter.
posted by Dan on 1-31-2008 at 2:51 pm
A. Makes me hungry just to read it.
posted by lizajane on 1-31-2008 at 2:52 pm
Definitely F, sooo good
posted by Manda on 1-31-2008 at 2:56 pm
I know I never made a submission to this so my sammich would not be considered but here is a tasty one to add to your recipe box:
Itallian Style Grilled Cheese and Tomato
Sprinkle some EVOO-extra virgin olive Red Wine Vinigar, Itallian Seasoning, Oregano, Garlic, S&P. Cheese-provalone or mozzerella. Slices of Ham. Slice Tomato sprinkle with seasonings and s&p. And top it off with another layer of cheese for the top piece of bread. Stick it in the George Forman Grill until crisp and melted cheese. Yummy yummy mouth full of flavor.
posted by mrsjdiddy on 1-31-2008 at 2:59 pm
D. I’ve had something VERY similar, and it’s yummy!
posted by Nell on 1-31-2008 at 2:59 pm
I am voting for A. Apples, Cheese, and ham are a perfect match of textures and flavors.
posted by Quin O on 1-31-2008 at 3:02 pm
‘A’ looks very tasty and simple.
posted by Allie on 1-31-2008 at 3:04 pm
I vote for I. If nothing else, it’s the most creative. Can’t say that I’ll ever try it, but I’m impressed.
Reminds me of a local joint (now gone) who used to serve stuffing sandwiches. That’s right, two slices of bread with stuffing in between. Sounds gross, but there’s nothing better at 3 in the morning after numerous adult beverages.
posted by Bill T. on 1-31-2008 at 3:06 pm
I vote for A.
that chicken skin one made me gag!
posted by kellie on 1-31-2008 at 3:11 pm
A.
posted by augusta on 1-31-2008 at 3:14 pm
I vote A. I will be trying that one, C, and G at home soon, they all sound yummy!
posted by Jess on 1-31-2008 at 3:14 pm
A!!
posted by Roxanne on 1-31-2008 at 3:14 pm
my fav is the apple/ham/cheddar combo. Which is my second favorite sandwich after my creation:
ham/cheddar/roasted red peppers with pesto– grilled.
posted by dcfullest on 1-31-2008 at 3:16 pm
A, for sure. Sounds like I now have dinner plans.
And chips on a sandwich? Fabulous. Although my co-worker puts doritos on her pb&j. I wish I were kidding.
posted by Dana on 1-31-2008 at 3:17 pm
D sounds amazing. needs some meat on it though. nice and eastern european
posted by sam on 1-31-2008 at 3:24 pm
c
I think chocolate chips are much yummier that marshmallow fluff, but f seems to be drawing away the peanut butter crowd.
posted by manz on 1-31-2008 at 3:26 pm
G most definitely!
posted by janey on 1-31-2008 at 3:26 pm
A
posted by Amy on 1-31-2008 at 3:27 pm
C is utterly delicious.
posted by bryn on 1-31-2008 at 3:30 pm
The only one I can conscientiously even consider with all respect to my poor abused taste buds would be D
wow, there’s some interesting stuff there
posted by ann on 1-31-2008 at 3:34 pm
A
posted by Tricia on 1-31-2008 at 3:34 pm
Are we supposed to vote for the one that sounds the best, meaning we’d actually eat it, or the “best of the worst”? Cause none of them sound all that disgusting… except for maybe I. I love fried chicken skin but between two slices of bread is just wrong.
The best tasting vote goes to J.
posted by Jill on 1-31-2008 at 3:42 pm
Yummmm…B. And you can make it using an iron.
posted by Portia on 1-31-2008 at 3:43 pm
A. Its making my mouth water!!!
posted by Julie on 1-31-2008 at 3:43 pm
I love me some bacon, but am going to have to go with “A”
posted by Mean Joe on 1-31-2008 at 3:44 pm
F
posted by Andrea on 1-31-2008 at 3:51 pm
I vote F
posted by seth on 1-31-2008 at 4:04 pm
A.
But only if the cheese is Brie and it’s crusty peasant bread and the apples are nice and tart. Seriously, a Brie / Smoked Ham / Granny Smith sandwich on crusty bread is SO GOOD.
posted by Laura M. on 1-31-2008 at 4:08 pm
But I still say my original submission was best.
2 slices Cinnamon Raisin Bread, toasted.
Then, slather on Goat Cheese and Fig Preserves.
Delicious and easy.
posted by Laura M. on 1-31-2008 at 4:10 pm
I.
posted by Becca on 1-31-2008 at 4:11 pm
I have to vote for H.
It is almost like my fave growing up, my Mom called them “special” sandwiches.
Spam, relish & mayo all mushed up together, and of course with ripple chips inside!
posted by Shawna on 1-31-2008 at 4:11 pm
i really think i would eat each and every one of those sandwiches. I’m a huge fan of anything with peanut butter (try it with cheetos-Seriously) or cheese. but I’m most excited about the pineapple-bacon-cheese version. I’ll think i’ll try it with goat cheese. yummmm
G
posted by WarTiger on 1-31-2008 at 4:12 pm
a
posted by Reggie on 1-31-2008 at 4:13 pm
I vote for I.
It is just a masterpiece!
posted by It's good to be the King on 1-31-2008 at 4:24 pm
D: I grew up eating grilled cheese sandwiches with mustard and sauerkraut, only to find out that nobody outside my family eats them that way (which is, by the way, delicious). Whoever came up with D comes pretty close though.
posted by Conor on 1-31-2008 at 4:39 pm
A. ham, apple slices & melted cheese (toasted)
There’s a shop called ‘Wichcraft that sells it in San Francisco.
posted by Miss Priss on 1-31-2008 at 4:40 pm
i for for “I.”
chicken-skin sandwich, dude. chicken-skin sandwich.
posted by Lucy on 1-31-2008 at 4:43 pm
I. the skin from KFC & BBQ sauce on white bread
posted by Jill on 1-31-2008 at 4:45 pm
add another vote for “I”
posted by ryan b. on 1-31-2008 at 4:47 pm
I vote for A. that sounds delicious! MM MM good.
posted by JW on 1-31-2008 at 4:48 pm
C
posted by sarah on 1-31-2008 at 5:01 pm
Gotta vote for I.
posted by Bald41 on 1-31-2008 at 5:08 pm
I’ll take a D with some minestrone on the side.
posted by Johnny Cat on 1-31-2008 at 5:11 pm
A!
posted by Frank on 1-31-2008 at 5:17 pm
I. Oh, god, how nuts and gross.
posted by Bob on 1-31-2008 at 5:17 pm
I vote for g!
posted by nan on 1-31-2008 at 5:18 pm
G!
posted by Sabrina on 1-31-2008 at 5:21 pm
A, A, all the way!
…I’m sorry there’s no excuse for that level of chipper.
And on the topic of grody sammiches, one great-grandad ate ketchup on bologna and the other great- grampa once ate pancakes with salad dressing (the nasty white not-mayo stuff).
posted by kitsana_d on 1-31-2008 at 5:24 pm
@#37:
Agreed on the Brie.
The Artisan Cafe in Columbia, MO sells a Turkey/Granny Smith/melted Brie sandwich that is to die for.
posted by Brian on 1-31-2008 at 5:25 pm
I especially like “the skin from KFC & BBQ sauce on white bread,” mainly because the sandwich filling is something you could compile quite easily for free. Score some discarded chicken skin from Mitt Romney, a quick raid of the condiment counter, and you’ve got a complete meal. Timely and tasty!
posted by Lillian on 1-31-2008 at 5:43 pm
I!
I vote for I!
“I. the skin from KFC & BBQ sauce on white bread”
posted by Harvey the Chainsaw on 1-31-2008 at 5:49 pm
I vote A, but still think you should try my egg salad. (With diced mushrooms and red peppers, mustard and mayo)
posted by Sue on 1-31-2008 at 6:02 pm
Tulip – I like the way you think. :) Definitely a vote for A.
posted by David on 1-31-2008 at 6:07 pm
A! Even better on a warm croissant.
Raised in the deep south, I am more than intrigued by the thought of ‘I’. It sounds awesome in that late-night-taco-bell-run kind of way. Being of fair stomach, I just can’t do it. Now on a biscuit…hmmm…it has great possibility. KFC should sell boxes of fried chicken skin.
posted by Mookie on 1-31-2008 at 6:09 pm
WarTiger – can I just say that Cheetos on a PB sandwich is pure genius? Lumpy, for sure, but no orange fingers! So very practical *and* delish…I’m all over it.
posted by Mookie on 1-31-2008 at 6:27 pm
I vote for I. The rest seem like the usual ingredients in only slightly-interesting reconfigurations; the bbq kfc skin sandwich (really, it could be popeye’s or any other crispy fried chicken skin) is a paradigm shift.
posted by dr. shlomo zelig on 1-31-2008 at 6:31 pm
These people must have been pregnant to try some of these ideas.
My vote is for C: peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate chips. Sounds great!
posted by Molly W. on 1-31-2008 at 6:43 pm
I vote for F! I actually used to eat this when I was little, minus the bananas.
posted by Aimee M on 1-31-2008 at 6:44 pm
B – now that’s a sandwich
posted by el on 1-31-2008 at 6:51 pm
I vote for J. It’s the yummiest!!!!!
posted by susan on 1-31-2008 at 7:10 pm
A
posted by Beth on 1-31-2008 at 7:27 pm
J
posted by Maria on 1-31-2008 at 7:38 pm
A, if made with smoked cheddar, sounds much like the dinner salad at the Liberty Square Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, but it shouldn’t be toasted.
I vote for J. (English muffins are innovative.)
posted by K on 1-31-2008 at 7:56 pm
C. peanut butter, bananas & chocolate chips – but grilled!
I ate these growing up, sometimes with the chocolate chips, sometimes without. I also had PB & green bell pepper sandwiches – had to be on white bread. I might have to try the KFC one though – love fried chicken skin!
posted by Liz on 1-31-2008 at 8:07 pm
I vote for I- mm, mm, you know you secretly want it.
posted by Claire on 1-31-2008 at 8:26 pm
F
posted by Danielle on 1-31-2008 at 8:56 pm
D. cheddar & sauerkraut (grilled)
lordy mercy! i need to try it. right now.
posted by Tams on 1-31-2008 at 9:21 pm
I! so wrong.
posted by Sarah on 1-31-2008 at 9:28 pm
A.
Sounds scrumptious!
posted by bma on 1-31-2008 at 9:39 pm
‘A’ sounds delish. But you still should try my pimento cheese!
posted by Sandy C on 1-31-2008 at 10:29 pm
H looks tastey
posted by Hught on 1-31-2008 at 10:35 pm
A. Soooo A.
posted by Denise on 1-31-2008 at 10:44 pm
C
posted by Chris on 1-31-2008 at 10:51 pm
B
posted by norby on 1-31-2008 at 11:57 pm
I must speak out for my favorite sandwich:
(E) Corned Beef and Chopped Liver
and if your CAT could vote, it would CERTAINLY agree. Next time you want to share a treat with your special pal, make an “E” sandwich.
posted by R. E. C. on 2-1-2008 at 12:34 am
A
posted by fixedgear on 2-1-2008 at 5:38 am
I vote for H. I tried that one and others last night and H is wonderful. I think this is great!
Grace
posted by Sherry Altman on 2-1-2008 at 7:55 am
H is wonderful. Tried making it and was so yummy.
posted by Grace on 2-1-2008 at 7:58 am
H!!! Go H. :-)
posted by ljk on 2-1-2008 at 7:59 am
H
posted by RUfrkn'KdnMe on 2-1-2008 at 8:04 am
I vote for H.
posted by KD on 2-1-2008 at 8:19 am
H gets my vote!
posted by Harleygirl on 2-1-2008 at 8:24 am
Sandy C, I love pimento cheese — when I grew up down south, you could buy it in a small tub (like cottage cheese), though my mom also made it at home. It made great sandwiches on toast, but just as often, my mom would stuff the pimento cheese inside celery stalks, and you’d eat it as an appetizer, a snack, or on the side of a main dish.
But I agree — it’s good stuff!
posted by Sandy on 2-1-2008 at 8:24 am
I still vote for my submission (you can read a bit more about it, here, thecookskitchen.net/2008/02/01/a-pear-of-good-sandwiches/ ), but since I’m no longer in the running, I have to go with a similar idea: A, ham-apple-cheese, toasted.
posted by Hal on 2-1-2008 at 8:38 am
H, for sure!
posted by K on 2-1-2008 at 8:48 am
F
As much as i hate to vote against anything with bacon on it, i think meat and fruit should hardly ever mix….although, if sombody made it for me, i would certainly try it….i am open minded after all….
posted by ziggy on 2-1-2008 at 8:53 am
Definitely B
posted by CB on 2-1-2008 at 8:54 am
F is one of my favorite odd combos – yummy!
The suggested marshmallow creme is Fluff, which I have only found in the Northeast.
posted by chris on 2-1-2008 at 9:14 am
I
posted by Suzeo on 2-1-2008 at 9:16 am
I vote for “H”…..
posted by Ginnie on 2-1-2008 at 9:21 am
B is my vote. Salsa makes everything better (especially cheeseburgers, try it instead of ketchup, it is Mexcellence in a bun)
posted by Juan on 2-1-2008 at 9:21 am
I vote for “H”
posted by Chimp on 2-1-2008 at 9:22 am
H! mmmmmmmmmmm!
posted by nsanemom on 2-1-2008 at 9:40 am
H….
Although if it were pickles……
posted by JenniferK on 2-1-2008 at 9:44 am
If I can only choose 1, it would have to be H.
Now who’s going to come make it for me?
posted by Mrs. Konkol on 2-1-2008 at 10:06 am
I vote ,,H,,
mmmm.good,cause M said so,
posted by WillSpanker on 2-1-2008 at 10:14 am
G, warm pineapple is wonderful
posted by Melanie on 2-1-2008 at 10:23 am
C, but only if you hold the chocolate chips and grill it.
Two comments: Fried bologna sandwiches are great. Bologna is one of those things that actually tastes different cooked.
Second, the whole topic reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite movies, 5 Easy Pieces… Jack Nicholson’s character, Bobby, is trying to order toast, but it’s not on the menu…
Bobby: I’d like an omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee.
Waitress: A #2, chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else?
Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven’t broken any rules.
Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?
Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.
posted by Doug on 2-1-2008 at 10:41 am
one more vote for “H”
posted by arogronjomom on 2-1-2008 at 10:49 am
I am definitely trying G. G for the win!
posted by JMR on 2-1-2008 at 2:57 pm
I feel dirty saying it, but I would eat the shit out of (I). But I won’t, because if I did, I would quit my job and stay home eating them until I’d have to hire a crane to get me out of the house…to get more KFC.
posted by Melina on 2-1-2008 at 5:19 pm
CHICKEN SKIN SANDWICHES!!!!
posted by becca on 2-1-2008 at 6:18 pm
ewww…chicken skin is gross on it’s own. I vote for I.
posted by Janet on 2-1-2008 at 6:22 pm
I. Everything Tastes Better with BBQ sauce!
posted by r on 2-1-2008 at 6:23 pm
I. simply because all the others are pretty normal. This is totally disgusting
posted by s.a.m.m.i.c.h..l.o.v.e.r on 2-1-2008 at 6:40 pm
gross out city. I has to win this, hands-down. I can’t believe anyone ate that crap!
posted by delilah on 2-1-2008 at 7:35 pm
I vote for “H”!
posted by brea7347 on 2-1-2008 at 10:23 pm
I, by far the most bizzare
posted by daniele on 2-2-2008 at 12:27 am
A. sounds very interesting. I think I’ll try that for lunch today.
You really, really ought to try the grilled peanut butter & jelly sandwich though. It. Is. Teh. Bomb. Not very good for you, but oh-so tasty.
posted by Dave on 2-2-2008 at 10:21 am
I like “H”.
posted by Seeturtle on 2-2-2008 at 12:10 pm
Gotta go with
A
There’s a cafe near my house that has a brie, apple slices and toasted almonds sandwich that’s to die for. I don’t think ham would be a bad addition.
posted by Julia on 2-2-2008 at 1:10 pm
If you make G, dip it in some salsa! For me the hotter the better!
If no salsa, sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper over the cheese.
G
posted by Bob on 2-2-2008 at 3:31 pm
H! Yummy!!
posted by JenniferG on 2-3-2008 at 5:49 pm
H gets my vote!
posted by Jocomom on 2-3-2008 at 6:06 pm
H vote all the way um that sounds so good
posted by Li-bratz on 2-3-2008 at 9:11 pm
Can we still vote? the chicken skin sandwich gets mine, hands down.
posted by kim on 2-4-2008 at 12:45 pm
I vote for “I”!
posted by mark a. on 2-4-2008 at 8:55 pm
i! the chicken skin sandwich all the way!
posted by suzan on 2-4-2008 at 9:18 pm
I, because I hate chicken skin and can’t imagine eating it at all, let alone as the main ingredient of a sandwich.
posted by Lisa on 2-5-2008 at 8:11 am