Okay, so I’ve been on this huge sandwich kick lately, and pastrami is my absolute jam. But sometimes, you just gotta switch things up from the classic rye and mustard, right? So, I decided to dedicate a whole week to figuring out what really goes well with pastrami.
Day 1: The Classic (Gotta Start Somewhere)
I started with the basics, obviously. I grabbed some good rye bread, some spicy brown mustard, and some thinly sliced pastrami from my favorite deli. Heated up the pastrami in a pan, just until it was warm and a little crispy on the edges. Slapped it all together. Classic, delicious, can’t go wrong. But… I knew I could do better.
Day 2: Cheese Please!
Today was all about cheese. I figured Swiss was the obvious choice, and it was pretty good. I used the same rye and mustard setup, just added a slice of Swiss. It melted nicely and added a bit of creaminess. But I also tried it with provolone, which was surprisingly awesome. It has a sharper flavor that kind of cut through the richness of the pastrami. Noted: Provolone is a contender.
Day 3: Going Green
Okay, time for some veggies. I’m not a huge fan of sauerkraut, which a lot of people love with pastrami. So, I tried a few different things:
- Coleslaw: Added a nice crunch and a bit of sweetness, especially with a vinegar-based slaw.
- Pickles: Duh! Always a good choice. The tanginess complements the salty pastrami.
- Pepperoncini: These were interesting. Gave it a little spicy kick, which I liked.
Day 4: Bread Bonanza
Rye is great, but what else is out there? Today was all about experimenting with different breads. I went to the bakery and picked up a few options:
- Pumpernickel: Similar to rye, but a bit darker and sweeter. It worked pretty well!
- Sourdough: This was a surprisingly good choice. The tanginess of the sourdough played well with the pastrami.
- Pretzel Roll: Okay, this was my favorite. The slightly salty, chewy pretzel roll was AMAZING with the pastrami. Definitely a winner.
Day 5: Sauce City
Mustard is classic, but I felt like exploring other sauces. I raided my fridge and found:
- Russian Dressing: This is a pretty common pairing, and for good reason. It’s creamy, tangy, and a little sweet.
- Horseradish Sauce: Whoa! This added a serious kick. If you like things spicy, definitely give this a try.
- Thousand Island Dressing: very close to Russian Dressing.
Day 6: The Ultimate Combo
After all this experimenting, I think I’ve found my perfect pastrami sandwich. Here’s the breakdown:
- Bread: Pretzel Roll
- Cheese: Provolone
- Sauce: A mix of spicy brown mustard and a little bit of Russian dressing
- Veggies: Coleslaw and some sliced pickles
- Pastrami: Obviously!
Day 7: Wrap it up!
Made myself one of those ultimate sandwiches and, man, it was GOOD. I put what was left over, into the fridge. A week of pastrami experimentation, and I’m not even sick of it. I might try some different combinations, like some of the great suggestions that I’ve gotten from friends, but for now, I’m pretty happy with my creation.
Now to clean up the mess in my kitchen.
