A sandwich loaf is a stacked savory party entrée made from a loaf of horizontally sliced bread. Typical fillings include egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad, tuna salad, and Cheez Whiz. While rare today, the food was quite popular during the mid 20th century in the United States.
History
Sandwich loaf was mentioned as early as 1935: "[...] giving the fork a chance for active play, the sandwich loaf made its appearance. This loaf, as you all must know by now, is a delicate triple-layered affair generously frosted with creamy cheese. ---"'Breadless Sandwich' is Latest Innovation," Dorothea Duncan, Washington Post, January 27, 1935 (p. S6)
Sandwich Loaf is still common enough to be served in restaurants near the US/Mexico border where the dish is called sandwhichon.[citation needed] This variation is garnished with pineapple, cherries, pickled jalapenos and pecans, and visually resembles a traditional tres leches cake.
Preparation
Frosted sandwich loaf
To create a sandwich loaf, bread is cut horizontally and spread with layers of filling. Common fillings include egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad, tuna salad, and Cheez Whiz. In a simple sandwich loaf, the fillings may all be the same, but in more complex creations each layer is different.
White bread is usually used to create a sandwich loaf, but whole wheat is also used. Sometimes white and whole wheat are used in alternating layers to create a ribbon effect. Common garnishes are olives, parsley, grapes, and carrot curls. The loaf is sliced like a cake and eaten with a fork.
