When you’re preparing a celebration, family gathering, or simply craving an honest homemade open sandwich like from a famous delicatessen, store-bought tubs just don’t cut it. Forget about bland ready-made spreads – this homemade open sandwich spread with quality ham, hard-boiled eggs, creamy processed cheese, mayonnaise, and a splash of pickle brine is the absolute best, and it’ll disappear from the table in no time. The secret to success lies in the genius creamy cheese base, finely chopped ingredients, and letting it rest in the fridge.
What you’ll need for a proper bowl of spread:
For the meat and dairy base:
- Quality ham: finely chopped or blended (depending on your preferred texture)
- Processed cheese: 100 g (e.g., mild creamy processed cheese)
- Mayonnaise: 2 to 3 tablespoons
For the vegetable and egg part:
- Eggs: 2 pcs (hard-boiled)
- Red onion: 1 medium (adds beautiful color and great flavor)
- Pickles: 1 to 2 pcs (depending on size)
For seasoning and extra zing:
- Full-fat mustard: 1 tablespoon
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Pickle brine: 1 to 2 tablespoons (for the perfect flavor boost)
- Seasoning: salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the taste
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Preparing and chopping the solid ingredients: Prepare the main ingredients according to your preferred texture. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and chop them finely along with the ham and pickles. Finely dice the red onion by hand so it stays pleasantly crunchy in the spread. Tip: If you’re in a hurry or want an ultra-smooth consistency for piping, you can briefly blend the ham and eggs.
2. Creating a smooth creamy base: In a clean bowl, prepare the basic emulsion. Mix 100 g processed cheese, mayonnaise, and full-fat mustard. Whisk or stir thoroughly until you get a perfectly smooth, glossy cream with no cheese lumps. This base ensures the spread holds its shape beautifully on the bread.
3. Combining and balancing the flavors: Stir the chopped ham, eggs, onion, and pickles into the cheese base. Now comes the final magic: add Worcestershire sauce, pickle brine, and a pinch of sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The pickle brine refreshes the spread and gives it just the right kick.
4. Chilling and serving: Cover the finished spread with foil and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the flavors meld and the cheese firms up a bit. Then generously spread it on slices of white bread, baguette, or fresh bread. Garnish your open sandwiches with a slice of egg, a piece of pickle, fresh parsley, or tomato.
Proven tips for the best result:
- Choosing the spread’s texture: Rustic chopping with a knife gives the sandwiches a truly homemade look, while blending creates a smooth cream perfect for piping bags.
- Choosing processed cheese: Using quality creamy processed cheese instead of cheap alternatives guarantees a delicious base without artificial notes.
- The importance of pickle brine: Adding a tablespoon or two of pickle brine is an old delicatessen trick that really brings the whole spread to life.
