Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook

Just finished “Sandwiches of History” by Barry Enderwick and I'm hungry now! This delightful cookbook-meets-history-book is a great read. The book is packed with fascinating historical gems, plus nearly 100 recipes that range from fancy club sandwiches to unexpectedly creative combos.

What makes this book special is how Enderwick modernises old-school recipes while keeping their historical charm. Each sandwich comes with its origin story, and there are deep dives into the history of everyday condiments like mustard and mayo. The photos are gorgeous, and the whole book is fun to flip through, even if you're not planning to cook anything.

It was noted in the book that not all popular sandwiches were included, maybe most notably for me, the Reuben. This is because the author didn't feel we needed yet another recipe, or that he couldn't add anything to it. However, there were recipes for a croque monsieur, a sloppy joe, a chip buttie, and a bahn mi so that seemed like a bit of weird logic to exclude the Reuben but include a Sloppy Joe.

Overall though, whether you're a food history buff or just someone who likes a good sandwich, this book is a treat. It's the kind of read that makes you want to try something new and expand your sandwich horizons.