The sandwich series stays strong
Lunch: Egg mayonnaise with anchovy & chilli butter
There’s many a good reason why sandwiches are such a hit for lunch. They just hit the spot. Bread + Filling. It’s reliable. A staple. They’re easy to eat, satisfying, quick, transportable, preppable. Need I go on?
On the other hand, they’re so obvious, they’re easy to overlook and underrate. It’s just a sandwich. Fall back on the familiar fillings and fail to give it the full attention it deserves. We’ve been victim to too many sad sandwiches. Sweaty bland cheese. Flat, pappy bread. Not even a whisper of a condiment, at times.
We deserve more.
Just a sandwich
Egg mayonnaise with anchovy & chilli butter
It’s never just a sandwich.
The humble egg mayo hits the board. And it was an absolute hit when I made it for my husband and my son. Egg mayo can be a bit bland on its own. You really need a good crusty bread or maybe a malted loaf to lift the creamy, soft texture, if you’re going with the classic.
I’d still recommend a crusty bread here, but the hint of chilli and the peppery salad balance the richness of the egg, while the crispy onion provides a delicious contrast in texture.
Ingredients:
Ciabatta rolls
Hard-boiled eggs
Mayonnaise
Capers
Gherkins
Dill
Salt & pepper
Butter/spread
Chilli flakes
Anchovy fillets in oil
Rocket
Cress
Crispy fried onion
To make:
Anchovy & Chilli butter
The first step is to prepare the anchovy and chilli butter. Ideally, your butter should be at room temperature so it’s easy to mix. Start with a few anchovy fillets and mash them into a paste. Add the anchovies to the butter with a generous pinch of chilli flakes. That’s your anchovy & chilli butter done. If you make more than you need, it’s delicious with egg & soldiers.
Egg mayonnaise
Next, make the egg mayonnaise as usual by peeling and mashing the eggs. Add the mayonnaise and salt & pepper. Then go in with the chopped capers, gherkins and fresh dill.
Assemble the sandwich
To assemble the sandwich, split the rolls and butter them generously with the anchovy & chilli butter.
Layer in the egg mayonnaise, and top with a hefty scattering of crispy fried onions and cress, and finish with a fistful of fresh rocket leaves.
