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Welcome to the great debate Kim,
If you have spent any time around me, you know I love good food. And who says food cannot be both healthy and delicious?
As I mentioned last week, I eat sandwiches regularly, and one of my most common choices is actually an open-faced sandwich. Honestly, I think it gives me more room for the really good toppings and fillings. But there is definitely a strategy involved. I try very hard not to get my hands completely “schmutzed” while balancing all the toppings on top of a single slice of toast.
I will lay out the bread first, then stand there evaluating my toppings like a structural engineer trying to determine the best layering technique to prevent complete sandwich collapse. Which ingredient goes first? What acts as the glue? What prevents the mushroom avalanche?
It is honestly half the fun.
And I love changing up the toppings from one slice to the next to keep things interesting. But that leads us to this week’s important question:
Is an open-faced sandwich actually a sandwich?
The Great Sandwich Debate
Alright friends, it is time to tackle one of the great culinary debates of our age:
What actually constitutes a sandwich?
The purists say it must be:
- Two slices of bread
- Filling in the middle
- End of discussion
Others argue a split roll counts. Some accept open-faced sandwiches. The more adventurous crowd says anything portable wrapped in a “bread container” qualifies.
And then there is the hot dog debate.
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Or does it exist in a category entirely of its own?
According to Merriam-Webster, a sandwich is:
1(a) “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between”
1(b) “one slice of bread covered with food”
or
2 “something resembling a sandwich.”
So basically… clear as mud.
Believe it or not, this debate has even made its way into the courtroom.
In Massachusetts in 2006, a court had to weigh in during a dispute involving Panera Bread and QDOBA. The court ruled that burritos, tacos, and quesadillas were not sandwiches because they are made with a single tortilla rather than sliced bread.
But then in 2024, an Indiana court reached a different conclusion, deciding that tacos and burritos could indeed be considered sandwiches. The reasoning? American sandwiches do not all need to resemble one another or fit one exact cultural mold.
So what do you think?
- Is an open-faced sandwich a sandwich?
- Does a wrap count?
- What about tacos?
- Is a hot dog secretly just sandwich royalty?
I may not have the answer, but I do know this:
Healthy food can still be fun.
Recipe: Open-Faced Pizza Toast
In honor of keeping an open mind—and an open face—here is one of my favorite “sandwich-ish” meals.
I call it Pizza Toast.
It is quick, hearty, customizable, and packed with flavor.
The Toppings
Thinly slice:
Spread them on a parchment-lined toaster oven tray and top with crumbled tofu or tempeh seasoned with:
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Fennel seed
- Sage
- Italian seasoning with Basil and Oregano
Bake at 375–400 degrees for about 25–30 minutes.
The “Cheese” Sauce
Blend together:
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight and drained)
- 1 cup fresh water
- Nutritional yeast
- A good splash of apple cider vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Blend until completely smooth, adding a little extra water if needed for consistency.
The Base
We like using:
- Sourdough
- Rosemary bread
- Dave's Killer Bread English Muffins
Toast the bread, spread with simple pizza sauce, top with the roasted veggies and tofu crumbles, then drizzle with the cashew cheese sauce.
Personally, I like to pop mine back into the toaster oven one last time so the sauce gets warm and slightly browned together with all the toppings.
Messy?
Maybe.
Worth it?
Absolutely.
Sandwich?
The jury is still out.
Upcoming
Next week:
What if you need to remove bread from your diet… but still really want a sandwich?
Connect
I would love to know:
- What is your favorite type of sandwich?
- Are you a sandwich purist or an adventurous sandwich rebel?
- What food do you think deserves “sandwich” status?
If you have some questions or just want to know a little more about lifestyle medicine and sandwiches, schedule a virtual coffee chat, or join me for a local coffee chat. Who knows… maybe we will even share a sandwich.
And if you are ready to take a deeper culinary adventure into healthy lifestyle eating and living, you can schedule a Find Your Energy Discovery Session with me.
Dad Joke of the Week
What do you call a sandwich that sings?
A wrap star.
Keep an open mind and an open face, wrapped up in tasty joy,
Kim
Hope and Healing Lifestyle
kim@hopeandhealinglifestyle.com
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