6 savoury sandwich spreads

 

Article By: Lesley Porcelli   Print   Email

 

Our spreads will turn any boring sandwiches into a gourmet meal. A sandwich without a condiment is like a road trip without a CD player - much less exciting than it should be. So try one of these homemade spreads for a jolt of flavour!

1. Quick olive tapenade
This chunky version of a tapenade has no added oil. Spread onto a chicken or tuna salad sandwich.

Easy prep: Chop 1 cup pitted olives in brine and transfer to a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar and freshly ground pepper and stir to combine. Mix in ½ cup drained chopped roasted red capsicums and ½ cup chopped fresh parsley. Stir in a dash of oregano and, if you like, minced garlic.

• Serve as antipasto with toasted wholegrain pita wedges

2. White bean pesto
Try this pureed pesto on turkey or chicken sandwiches or spread on crusty bread.

Easy prep: Toss 1 cup canned drained white beans, 1 garlic clove (cut into a few pieces), 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper into a food processor. Process until smooth.

• Toss pesto with wholemeal spaghetti

3. Roast garlic spread
Roasting brings out garlic cloves' natural sweetness, making them an excellent partner for roast beef sandwiches.

Easy prep: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Remove the papery skin from garlic bulb and trim the tips of each clove. Place whole bulb on foil and drizzle with ½ teaspoon olive oil. Wrap bulb in the foil, place in oven and roast until tender, about 1 hour. Allow bulb to cool several minutes, then, using an oven mitt to protect your hands, squeeze the softened garlic from bulb into a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

• Add garlic to boiled potatoes and mash together

4. Carrot & ginger spread
A nod to the classic Japanese salad dressing, this spread is delicious with tuna salad or lean roast beef sandwiches.

Easy prep: Toss 5 medium carrots (cut into large pieces), 1 shallot, 2 pieces peeled fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil into food processor. Pulse to a paste.

• To convert to a dressing, whisk in 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoons rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon soy sauce

5. Salsa Giardiniera
A quick and easy way to add spicy Italian tang to any meat filled sandwich.

Easy prep: Puree 1 cup giardiniera/pickled vegetables with ½ cup canned drained white beans or chick peas.

• Stir into hommus for a burst of tang

6. Horseradish Mustard
These two sandwich greats combine, creating a serious flavour kick.

Easy prep: Stir 1 tablespoon drained horseradish into 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard.

• This spread makes a great dressing for warm potato salad