MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA MAY 25 , 2012 02.25 A.M.
Last week I came across an innocuous news item in the Mumbai edition of Times Of India that our snack – cum – food a.k.a. Sandwich completed 250 years of its existence .I never knew that Sandwich was nowhere in the scene before 1762 .
I never knew that Sandwich is the name of a town , a small and non – decrepit port town , in the Dover district and Kent County of United Kingdom .
I never knew that John Montagu , 4th Earl of Sandwich [ 1718 - 1792 ] , a British statesman , was the inventor of this world-famous food item . And that , he invented this snack – cum – food item inadvertently . He , apart from being inventor of Sandwich , was Postmaster General , First Lord of Admiralty and Secretary of State for the Northern Department .
John Montagu – 4th Earl of Sandwich
4th Earl of Sandwich was considered a daring man because in those conservative times , he ate with his fingers . As story goes , in May 1762 , while playing the game of cards , he ordered his valet to serve him beef tucked between two slices of bread so that he could eat while playing cards . Later on his friends also asked ” to have the same as Sandwich “ . And thus slowly , Sandwich came into being .
In the beginning it was a non – veg food item . But slowly other forms of Sandwich also came into being . Veg Sandwich is another popular form .
Veg Sandwich
Soon grilled Sandwich made its entry in the scene . Later on it was improvised further and grilled Cheese Sandwich came into being . Club Sandwich is the another variant , which is very popular .
Grilled Sandwich
Club Sandwich
As its popularity grew , it reached various other countries . Apart from Cuban and Turkish variants , Chicken Shwarma of Lebanon is the most popular , world – famous and known variant of the original Sandwich . Tuna Fish Sandwich is another hugely popular improvised version , which is savoured by rich and famous .
Cuban Sandwich
Tuna Fish Salad Sandwich
Turkey Sandwich
Shwarma Sandwich of Lebanon
Popularity of Sandwich as a convenient food item never diminished . In the modern era , multi – national food giants also jumped in the fray . American fast – food giant McDonald’s was the first to capitalize on the popularity of Sandwich and came with the Hamburger and Burger variants , which took the world by storm . Started in May 15 , 1940 , this fast – food American giant has now more than 33,000 outlets world – wide .
Logo of McDonald’s
Hamburger
Burger
Subway is another multi – national food – chain , which made a late entry and soon spread its tentacles world – wide . Unlike McDonald’s , it is dedicated to Sandwiches only . Stablished in August 28 , 1965 , it has now more than 36,833 outlets in 100 countries .
Logo of Subway
Subway Sandwiches
Subway Sandwich
Club Sandwich With Fries
In modern times , as popularity of Sandwiches grew further , there were several inventions like electric toasters to facilitate its making more easier , fast and convenient .
Sandwich Toaster
Later on ketchup and various kinds of Mayonnaise also came and people started using them as toppings and fillings with Sandwiches . Among ketchup , Heinz is the most famous and renowned ketchup company . It is followed by Maggi and our own Indian Kissan brands . Smith & Jones is another lesser known brand of ketchup available in India .
Mayonnaise
Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Maggi Tomato Ketchup
Kissan Tomato Ketchup
Smith & Jones Samosa Chutney
Indian palate is very familiar with mustard . We use it in pickles and other food items . So in India , a peculiar version of Sandwich emerged . Sweet Mustard ketchup and its Bengali cousin Kasundi emerged as extra fillings for Sandwiches with cucumber , tomato and onion .
Sweet Mustard Ketchup
Kasundi of Bengal
Though use of various Jam , Jelly and marmalade with bread pieces can’t be called Sandwich in true sense of the term , but for sweet – loving Indians , it was a popular option and it has now become a ubiquitious food item of our homes for morning and evening snacks . Our own desi Kissan is present here also and Kissan Jam is one of the highest selling product .
Kissan Jam
Hawaiian Sun Jelly
Savaille Orange Marmalade
Hazelnut Spread , Peanut Spread , Cheese Spread and several other spreads are also available to sweeten our morning breakfast . You can’t call them Sandwiches but their popularity in India would have amazed Earl of Sandwich .
Hazelnut Filling
In these 250 years of its existence , Sandwich has taken many avatars . I would love to provide another version of Sandwich , which is popular in my house . I can call it Bhojpuri version or variant of Sandwich . Take two pieces of bread and roast it properly . Put lavish spread of butter on the pieces .Then take two extra ripe bananas and cut then in round pieces . Now put pieces of extra ripe banana as fillings between two pieces of bread . Sprinkle salt and black pepper on it . Your Bhojpuri variant of Sandwich is ready for a bite . If you wish you can grill it also . So Bhojpuri Banana Sandwich and Bhojpuri Banana Grilled Sandwich are now available . Do try them .
I am sure , after hearing about this Bhojpuri Variant of Sandwich , John Montagu , the 4th Earl of Sandwich must be turning in his grave .
John Montagu – 4th Earl of Sandwich – Originator of Sandwich
VIDUR
MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA
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