Tangy Cheddar Picnic Sandwiches with Quick Sweet Pickles
Elevate your lunch game with these delightful Tangy Cheddar Picnic Sandwiches. Featuring a tantalizing blend of sharp cheddar cheese and vibrant, homemade quick pickles, these sandwiches are perfect for picnics or office lunches. The pickles, made from fresh onions and cucumbers, are infused with a sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette that adds a burst of flavor to every bite. Paired with whole wheat rolls, this recipe is not just delicious but also wholesome, making it a great choice for an on-the-go meal that’s sure to impress.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet onion
1 large (sliced thin (Vidalia is good))
English cucumber
1 medium (sliced thin)
Apple cider vinegar
1 cup (N/A)
Honey
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (N/A)
Bay leaves
2 (N/A)
Ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons (peeled and chopped finely)
Mustard seeds
1 1/4 teaspoons (N/A)
Grey salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Grainy mustard
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Whole wheat rolls
4 small (split in half (may toast if desired))
Sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces (thinly sliced)
Instructions
1
In a heatproof non-reactive bowl, combine the sliced sweet onion and English cucumber. Set aside to prepare the pickling solution.
2
In a medium saucepan, bring the apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, bay leaves, chopped ginger, mustard seeds, grey salt, and 1/2 cup of water to a boil.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until combined.
4
Pour the hot pickling solution over the sliced onions and cucumbers, ensuring they are thoroughly covered.
5
Cover the bowl loosely and allow the mixture to cool completely, stirring occasionally to ensure even marination.
6
Once cooled, the quick pickles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
7
In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey and grainy mustard to create a sweet mustard spread.
8
Spread the honey mustard mixture generously on the bottom halves of each whole wheat roll.
9
Layer thin slices of sharp cheddar cheese on top of the mustard spread.
10
Spoon approximately 1/3 cup of the drained pickled cucumbers and onions over the cheese, topping with the roll's top half.
11
Serve immediately, or wrap each sandwich in parchment or wax paper to keep fresh for up to 4 hours, perfect for picnics or lunch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main feature of Tangy Cheddar Picnic Sandwiches?
These sandwiches feature a tantalizing blend of sharp cheddar cheese and vibrant, homemade quick pickles on whole wheat rolls.
What type of onion is recommended for the quick pickles?
The recipe suggests using a large sweet onion, such as a Vidalia, sliced thin.
How long can the quick pickles be stored in the refrigerator?
Once cooled and placed in an airtight container, the quick pickles can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
What type of cucumber is best for this sandwich recipe?
An English cucumber is recommended because it should be sliced thin for the pickling process.
What are the ingredients in the pickling solution?
The solution consists of apple cider vinegar, honey, bay leaves, chopped ginger, mustard seeds, salt, and water.
How do you prepare the honey mustard spread for the sandwiches?
The spread is made by mixing 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of grainy mustard.
Can I toast the whole wheat rolls?
Yes, the rolls may be toasted if desired before assembling the sandwiches.
How long will the sandwiches stay fresh after being wrapped?
If wrapped in parchment or wax paper, the sandwiches will stay fresh for up to 4 hours.
What kind of salt should I use for the pickles?
You can use either grey salt or kosher salt for the pickling liquid.
What type of vinegar is used for the quick pickles?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to create the tangy base.
How much ginger is needed for the recipe?
You will need 1 1/4 teaspoons of peeled and finely chopped ginger.
What is the serving size for the pickles on each sandwich?
Spoon approximately 1/3 cup of the drained pickled cucumbers and onions over the cheese on each roll.
Are these sandwiches suitable for office lunches?
Yes, they are described as a perfect option for picnics or office lunches due to their portability.
Is there a specific way to prepare the cheddar cheese?
The sharp cheddar cheese should be thinly sliced before being layered onto the sandwich.
Do I need to boil the pickling solution?
Yes, you should bring the vinegar, honey, and spice mixture to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes.
Should the pickling liquid be hot when poured over the vegetables?
Yes, pour the hot pickling solution over the sliced onions and cucumbers to ensure they are thoroughly covered.
What type of bowl should I use for the vegetables?
Use a heatproof, non-reactive bowl to hold the sliced sweet onion and English cucumber.
How many sandwiches does this recipe yield?
The recipe is designed to make 4 small sandwiches using 4 small whole wheat rolls.
How much honey is used in total for this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of honey divided between the pickles and the mustard spread.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include lunch, sandwich, pickles, cheddar, picnic, snacks, quick recipe, homemade, and healthy.
Is the cucumber peeled for this recipe?
The recipe does not specify peeling; English cucumbers usually have thin skin and are just sliced thin.
Do the pickles need to be drained before serving?
Yes, you should use drained pickled cucumbers and onions when assembling the sandwich to avoid sogginess.
Can I use regular white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?
While apple cider vinegar is recommended for its flavor, you could use white vinegar, though the taste will be sharper.
How should the pickles be handled during the cooling process?
The bowl should be covered loosely and stirred occasionally to ensure even marination while cooling.
What is the primary flavor profile of the pickles?
The pickles are described as sweet and tangy, infused with apple cider vinaigrette, ginger, and mustard seeds.
How many bay leaves are required?
You will need 2 bay leaves for the pickling solution.
Is there water in the pickling solution?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of water to be mixed with the vinegar and honey.
What is the recommended assembly order?
Spread honey mustard on the bottom roll, add cheddar cheese, top with drained pickles, and finish with the top half of the roll.
Are these sandwiches good for on-the-go meals?
Yes, their portability and the fact they can be wrapped ahead of time makes them ideal for on-the-go meals.
How many mustard seeds are used?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 teaspoons of mustard seeds.