Old-School Ribbon Sandwiches Solve A Party Problem Many Usually Overlook

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When planning a gathering that's centered around food, deciding on a menu that's both delicious and practical can be something of a tall order. For future feasts, look to the past for a little inspiration. Multi-filling ribbon sandwiches are a fun way to please a crowd, and solve the problem of wondering which filling to use as you can pick a few. They also save time as they're easy to make and they'll provide enough food to both fill and fulfill those at your shindig. 

These stylized multi-decker tea sandwiches can take on many forms to suit the dietary needs and preferences of you and your guests. Born of a necessity to make a lot of food with minimal ingredients, these sandwiches rose to prominence between the 1930s and 1950s and sometimes resembled a layer cake in appearance, suitable for cutting into smaller servings. Often, the layers would include a couple of different old-school salads such as egg salad or tuna salad on white or wheat bread.

The sandwiches can be assembled using full-sized slices of bread or even a loaf of bread cut horizontally. Simply spread your choice of fillings and pile up the sandwich to the desired height before cutting into smaller, bite-sized or finger sandwich-style pieces. This makes feeding a crowd both easier and a bit more fun with a few clever tweaks.

The tips you need when making tea sandwiches all apply to preparing a batch of ribbon sandwiches as well. This decorative appetizer is only as good as the effort you put into it and will pay off deliciously when you see partygoers crowding around your tray of sandwiches. Be mindful of flavors that complement each other. For example, pairing layers of egg salad with tuna salad, chicken salad, or ham salad is a great idea; however, trying to match up a sweet peanut butter and jelly with a savory salmon and cream cheese would not be especially wise.

Clearly labeling your ribbon sandwiches is also crucial to avoid any cross-contamination or risk of allergy issues. Separate sweet and savory layered sandwiches on different trays and clearly mark which contain dairy or animal products. Just because this is an old-school dish, it doesn't mean your sandwiches have to stay stuck in the past. Mix up a modern version of ribbon sandwiches that are more accessible to a number of different palates. 

For example, you can easily translate a vegan chickpea salad sandwich recipe into a ribbon sandwich style and match it with a layer of plant-based cream cheese with vegan pesto. Use an organic, flourless sprouted whole grain bread for added nutritional value. Make your old-school sandwiches even more whimsical by cutting them into shapes with a specialty cookie cutter. Finding budget-friendly recipes to feed 10 people or more doesn't have to be difficult as long as you're willing to employ a little culinary creativity.