I Tried Adam Sandler's Famous 'World's Greatest Sandwich' and It's My New Favorite Lunch
Adam Sandler 'Spanglish' Sandwich
Recently, Adam Sandler made headlines thanks to the news that a sequel to 1996's Happy Gilmore movie is in development. Since there's quite an amount of fanfare surrounding the film, it led me down the path of revisiting one of my favorite Adam Sandler movies: Spanglish.
For those not in the know, in the 2004 film Spanglish, Sandler's character, John Clasky, delivers a culinary masterpiece that transcends mere sustenance; it becomes a symbol of love, care, and cultural fusion. This iconic creation, famously dubbed as the "World's Greatest Sandwich," embodies the essence of the film's narrative, serving as a metaphor for the complexities and beauty of relationships.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the sandwich is not merely a combination of ingredients, but a reflection of John's devotion to his family and his ability to find harmony amidst life's chaos. As John prepares each component of the sandwich—from perfectly toasted bread to layers of savory fillings—he imbues it with his own personal touch.
This masterpiece becomes a focal point in the film, representing John's desire to bridge the gap between cultures and bring his loved ones closer together. Through the "World's Greatest Sandwich," Adam Sandler's character communicates a universal message of love, acceptance, and how the power of food can transcend language barriers and connect people on a deeper level.
After seeing how easy it was to prepare and getting a feel for what it means, I took to the kitchen to see if this sandwich would actually live up to its name. Here's how it went.
Get the recipe: The 'World's Greatest Sandwich'
Ingredients for the 'World's Greatest Sandwich'
For this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients: bacon, sourdough or white bread, Monterey jack cheese, mayonnaise, butter lettuce, tomato, egg and salt and pepper.
How to Make the 'World's Greatest Sandwich'
To prepare this delectable sandwich, start by putting a cooling rack inside a baking sheet and arranging the bacon on top. Bake at 350° until crisp, which should take about 15 minutes. You can also cook your bacon in a skillet, but we prefer this more hand's off method.
Meanwhile, lightly toast your bread to your desired level of doneness. Once toasted, add cheese to one half of the bread and transfer it to the oven to melt, about 5 minutes. While the cheese is melting, fry an egg to your liking (I personally prefer a runny yolk, so I opted for sunny-side up).
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Next, spread mayonnaise on the second piece of bread. Once the cheese is melted, assemble your sandwich by layering lettuce, tomato, fried egg, and crispy bacon on top of the cheese-covered bread. Finally, complete the sandwich by placing the mayonnaise-covered bread on top of the assembled layers.
What I Thought About the 'World's Greatest Sandwich'
While it may not have been the "World's Greatest Sandwich," it sure was delicious. Basically, a BELT (bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato) sandwich, this is one of those sandwiches that you can have any time of the day. And because it's a buildable option, you can customize it to suit your tastebuds.
Because I've made my own version of this sandwich before, I know how delicious it can be when you make it with the same love and care that Adam Sandler's character did in the movie. Nevertheless, this is one sandwich that stands the test of time and with a few of my own additions, really can be the world's greatest.
Tips for Making the 'World's Greatest Sandwich'
Make it your own. Though this recipe calls for minimal ingredients, don't be afraid to add on a few extra ingredients to really make it your own. I added a bit of mustard and hot sauce to mine.
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