Some Tricks for Coping With Different Texture of Sandwich Fillings and Bread

Sandwiches are the quintessential snack food. With a microwave, you can heat a sandwich that is completely assembled--something you can’t do on a conventional stove. Microwaving takes just a minute or two, and the sandwich tastes much better than when it’s cold.

It’s important to remember that bread and filling may microwave at different rates. This is due to differences in moisture content and density.

Breads, for instance, can be anything from light and porous to dense and heavy and can be sliced thick or thin.

If you match light and porous bread with moist fillings, and dense bread with heavy fillings, you’ll usually get even heating. (The dense sandwich will take longer.) But if bread and filling don’t match, try these microwave tricks.

Start With a Frozen Bun

To microwave a porous frankfurter bun with a frankfurter, which is more dense, start with a frozen bun. This also will work with hamburger buns and fillings like sliced meat or meat loaf.

Meat and cheese sandwiches are good microwaved, but the cheese is more vulnerable to toughening than the meat. So if you are making a sandwich using cheese and several slices of meat, tuck the cheese between the meat slices in the center of the sandwich. The meat will shield the cheese from overheating. If you are making a sandwich using only a small amount of meat, don’t add the cheese until after the meat has been partially heated.

To prevent the bottom slice of bread from becoming soggy, place the sandwich on a microwave trivet so the steam can escape through the bottom. Or wrap the sandwich loosely in paper towels, which will absorb some of the moisture. Paper towel wrapping is particularly good for big sandwiches since the covering traps heat around all parts of the sandwich and encourages faster, more even cooking.

Use MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) to heat sandwiches. Set the timer for about one minute for light sandwiches and about two minutes for heavier sandwiches. Rotate sandwiches that contain cheese.

Cut in Quarters

Another tip for cheese sandwiches: When you’re in a rush, cut the sandwich in four square quarters. Separate the quarters on the plate so microwaves can surround them. Then rearrange the quarters as necessary after partial heating, turning the inside areas toward the edges of the plate. With this method, you can heat a cheese sandwich in 20 seconds or less on HIGH (100% power).

Add mustard, mayonnaise or catsup after heating. These are moist condiments that attract microwaves to the spots where they are located, usually resulting in tough, overheated bread in these spots.

Make sandwiches interesting with a variety of breads and rolls. The slight warmth revives and “refreshes” the flavor. Bagels, croissants, kaiser and hard rolls and pita breads microwave well, using the tips just mentioned. Here are a few sandwich ideas:

FRENCH DIP SANDWICH WITH HORSERADISH SAUCE

4 ounces cooked roast beef, thinly sliced

1 crusty French or kaiser roll, split lengthwise

Horseradish Sauce

1/4 to 1/2 cup beef broth

Place beef on roll. Wrap sandwich lightly in paper towel and microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until warm throughout. Spread with Horseradish Sauce.

Place beef broth in microwave-safe cup or wide mug and heat on HIGH (100% power) until just warm. Cut sandwich in half and place on serving plate with cup of broth for dipping. Makes 1 sandwich.

Horseradish Sauce

2 tablespoons grated onion

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Stir onion, mayonnaise, horseradish, salt and pepper together in small bowl. Makes about 1 1/4 cups sauce.

PITAS STUFFED WITH VEGETABLES

1/4 cup shredded carrot

3/4 cup shredded cucumber or zucchini

3/4 cup thinly sliced mushrooms

1 1/4 cups diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon ground thyme

2 tablespoons finely chopped mild onion

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

4 pita breads

Alfalfa sprouts, optional

Place carrot, cucumber and mushrooms in 1 1/2-quart microwave-safe casserole. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are slightly softened. Add tomatoes, thyme, onion and Parmesan.

Divide filling into 4 portions. To stuff, cut 1 outside edge of each pita bread, spread open pocket and spoon 1/4 filling inside. Add alfalfa sprouts. Serve immediately. Makes 4 sandwiches.

CROISSANT WITH APPLE-CHEESE FILLING

1 croissant

2 (1-ounce) slices sharp Cheddar cheese

1/4 medium apple, cored and cut into 8 thin slices

Ground cinnamon

Cut croissant in half lengthwise. Place 1 slice cheese on bottom half, cutting to fit as necessary. Cover cheese with apple slices. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with remaining cheese slice, cutting to fit. Top with other half croissant.

Place croissant on small microwave plate. Cover with paper towel or napkin, tucking ends of paper under croissant. Microwave on MEDIUM (50% power) 1 minute or just until cheese starts to melt. Let stand, uncovered, about 1 minute before serving. Makes 1 sandwich.