National Sandwich Week 2015 - May 10th - 16th

This week is National Sandwich Week so I investigated a little into where the humble sandwich originated from.
The story is that John Montague, the Fourth Earl Of Sandwich, was such an enthusiastic gambler that he didn't like leaving the gambling table whilst playing. So, instead of breaking for dinner, he asked that someone bring him some meat between a couple of slices of bread. Later on, others would do the same saying something like "I'll have what Sandwich is having" and, eventually, people would just ask for a "Sandwich"

Nowadays the humble sandwich has become big business in the catering industry and fillings and bread types have become far more  adventurous than in the days of The Fourth Earl Of Sandwich!!

At The Nook On The Square , because our daily lunch menu changes each week, I am always changing our sandwich fillings to keep things interesting for the customer and, also, because it keeps me on my toes always looking for new ideas.
Below is just a small selection of what we have produced the past year.

Our take on the New York Reuben -  home cooked beef pastrami, sauerkraut, pickles and Russian dressing all served on toasted sourdough.    

The Nook Reuben
National Sandwich Week

The breakfast ciabatta with old English sausage, best back bacon, chestnut mushrooms and roasted tomatoes. 

The breakfast Ciabatta
National Sandwich Week

Grilled halloumi and roasted veg on red onion focaccia.



Grilled Halloumi & Roasted Vegetables on Red Onion Focaccia
National Sandwich Week
 

Always popular - mozzarella, tomato and basil.

Mozzarella, tomato and basil focaccia
National Sandwich Week

Our own home cooked ham with rocket and tomato on red onion focaccia.

Home cooked ham , rocket and tomato on focaccia
National Sandwich Week

Our Mexican BLT ciabatta - bacon, lettuce, tomato and guacamole.
  

Mexican BLT
National Sandwich Week
 

And this weeks special - goats cheese, basil and roasted balsamic strawberries.

Goats cheese, Basil and Roasted Balsamic Strawberries
National Sandwich Week

So what's your favourite filling?

Linking up this week with:
Tasty Tuesday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Focaccia - Bread Challenge No 6

As I reach number 6 of my dough challenge I would firstly like to thank my bosses Ben Aveling and Vicky Rogers for being so supportive,interested and encouraging for what I am doing and secondly would very much like to welcome any new reader who has found their way here via The Old Red Lion or Radmore farm Shop facebook and twitter feed. I hope that you enjoy the read, attempt the recipe or even just pop along to the pub and enjoy the taste of traditional homemade bread.
So today let's talk Focaccia!
Focaccia - a light Italian flatbread made from a soft dough and flavoured with olive oil.
 It had been my intention to attempt this bread nearer the end of my challenge as I thought it was a more complex dough to make but, having completed the challenge successfully today, I concur that it wasnt any harder than my previous challenges and that it is truly a gorgeous soft bread if eaten fresh from the oven.
Ingredients:
500g Strong White Bread Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Tsp Fast Action Yeast
1-2 Tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
6 Tbsp Olive Oil
300ml Lukewarm Water

1 Green Pepper
8 Sun-Dried Tomato halves
4 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 clove garlic
Sea Salt Flakes & Freshly Ground Black Pepper.
A few sprigs Rosemary.

Method:
Combine the flour,salt and yeast in a bowl. Stir in the chopped rosemary and add the oil. Mix in enough of the lukewarm water to form a soft and slightly sticky dough. Turn out the dough on to a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and pliable - usually about 10 minutes. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn over so it's coated in oil. Cover with clingfilm and leave to rise for about an hour in a warm area.
While the dough is rising prepare the topping.
Deseed the pepper and cut into 2cm chunks. Put into a mixing bowl with 2tbsp olive oil and stir round until coated. Heat a frying pan and chargrill the pepper over a high heat until speckled with dark-brown patches. Put back into the bowl, add the crushed garlic and a little salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes.
When the dough has risen punch down into it to deflate and disperse the gas. Turn the dough onto an oiled baking tray, press and shape into a rough square with your hands. Press your fingers into the dough to make dimples.

Poke fresh rosemary sprigs into these dimples, scatter the tomatoes over and top with the pepper mixture. Leave to rise for a further 20 minutes and turn on your oven to preheat to 220C/425F/gas7.
When risen, drizzle the rest of the olive oil over the top and season with salt and pepper and put in the oven.

Bake for 10mins,then reduce the temperature to 190C/375F/Gas 5 and cook for a further 15mins until the edges and base are a good golden brown.

Best served warm and certainly a big hit amongst the staff and customers last night! A lovely soft and tasty bread.

Green Pepper and Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia