Sweet, salty, spicy, savory; condiments can make or break a sandwich. If you think of your sandwich as that little black dress that can go anywhere, condiments are the accessories that jazz it up. Last Wednesday Lisa Mantineo, Everyday Food producer and Shavon Meyers, engineer, crafted their own Manchego cheese sandwiches choosing from among several condiments I put together. Punch up the flavor of your favorite sandwich with one of the condiments that follow, or do what Monty (Lisa) did, and try a few.
1 clockwise from top Pickle Relish, Date-Mayo, Mustard-Chutney, Romesco, Spicy and Sweet Tamarind Sauce
2 Sandwiches waiting to be assembled
3 Manchego Cheese and Amy's Onion-Potato Bread
4 A trio of sandwiches.
Date-Mayo
Makes 1/3 cup
4 plump pitted dried dates
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
coarse salt and pepper
With a chef’s knife, coarsely chop dates and then mash to a paste with the flat side of the knife. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in mayo and lemon juice until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use (up to a month).
Mustard-Chutney
Makes 1/3 cup
¼ cup store bought mango chutney, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
In a small bowl stir ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to use (up to a month).
Pickle Relish
Makes ¼ cup
¼ cup sliced bread and butter pickles, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon snipped dill
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Spicy and Sweet Tamarind Sauce
Makes 3 tablespoons
2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
2 ½ teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder, or more to taste
coarse salt
In a small bowl whisk together tamarind, honey, and chipotle chile powder. Season with salt.
Or, try romesco sauce, one of my all-time favorites (simply omit the potatoes).
