Sandwich Filling for a Crowd

Original Recipe and My Revised Recipe

Looking back, so many of the prepared foods eaten when I was a child are no longer considered a healthy choice. The main ingredient of this sandwich filling is a processed meat you can’t seem to find any longer in the grocer’s deli. Grandma’s recipe did incorporate cooked chicken if you preferred but it was the original that I loved. For a special treat I do go the bologna and pork loaf but cut the recipe way back from the 6 loaves of bread, etc, to a 4 serving proportion … Just enough for a treat but not for a full on wedding reception. Now I have to say my Grandmother was well known for this recipe by her family & friends. And I feel pretty lucky to have found it written down by her niece many years ago. Problem is Grandma was a change up artist. What she had in the pantry might find its way into the mix. My Mother too had a way of changing her Mother-in-law’s recipes. Mom made it tuna. It can even go just eggs. Or how about turning this into a salad instead. It all can be done with this recipe. Have you ever heard, ‘no one can make it like Grandma?’ Need I say more!

Recipe

9 Generous servings

Original recipe

6 Loaves sliced bread-crust removed
6 Large ribs of celery-chopped very fine or put through grinder
3 Large onions-chopped very fine or put through grinder
1 Pint sweet relish
3 Pints Best Foods Mayonnaise
2 Pounds bologna-through meat grinder (or sub cooked chicken)
2 Pounds pork loaf-through meat grinder (or sub cooked chicken)
1 Pound cheddar cheese-through grinder
1 1/2 Dozen hard cooked eggs-through grinder

A food processor would have helped immensely in the day but yet to be invented. This recipe can be done without a meat grinder. It just takes more time obviously to get the ingredients chopped uniformly.

Spread on one slice and cover with another slice. Cut diagonally and then again, producing 4 triangle cuts.

My Conversion

1 Loaf country sliced bread
2 Large ribs of celery
1/2 Large red onion
1/3 Cup sweet relish (or use dill relish for a change up)
3/4 Cup mayonnaise-I opt for the new organic brands (who heard of organic in the day but I’m into it)
1 Pound of your favorite processed meat (or use left over cooked turkey breast or chicken) I opted for smoked turkey breast. Ham is a good option too.
1/4 Pound cheese (sharp cheddar or provolone or your favorite)
3 Large hard cooked eggs

For vegetarian remove meats & increase eggs to a dozen total. For tuna remove meats and add (3-4)  5 ounce cans well-drained tuna

A food processor can be used or you can chop fine each of these ingredients: celery, onion, meat, cheese & eggs. If the processor is used chop in small batches to get even chop. Precut celery and onion to help provide uniformity. Slightly freeze the meat after cutting into chunks then process. Cheese and eggs will do better on the shredder attachment. Some blenders will work as well in this way. If you have a meat grinder go for it! Wish I had my Grandmother’s!

Mix together all ingredients (except bread) and refrigerate until use. If refrigerated this filling will last 3-4 days. If you’d rather have a salad serve on a lettuce leaf.