Humble and satisfying, it’s a sandwich only a Southerner could love.
I grew up inMississippi,home to Southerners who love big, weird sandwiches (God blessElvis Presley).
But my favorite childhood sandwich is shocking not for what it contains, but for what it didnt.
Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
My go-to snack as a kid wasbrace yourselfa simple mayonnaise sandwich.
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The Great Mayo Sandwich Debate
I live in a house divided.
My husband detests it.
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The origin story of his revulsion involves a late-night infomercial for a stick blender.
Incredibly, I foundthe exact infomercialon the internet and its FABULOUS: The hair!
The opening title-punch in treatment!
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That night, eyes wide with horror, my future husband gave up mayonnaise forever.
(Sometimes, I probably liked it more than my little sister, to be honest.)
As a kid, I was no stranger to a simple mayonnaise sandwich: Sunbeam bread and mayo.
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No meat, no lettuce, no cheesejust mayo.
Its a sandwich only Kirk Cameron could love.
(Nopineapple sandwichesfor me!)
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But a mayonnaise sandwich was fast, and though utilitarian, inexplicably satisfying.
Which Mayonnaise Brand Is Best?
Speaking of Blue Plate, lets take a very brief detour to chit-chat about mayonnaise brands.
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I wont stray into taste-test territory here, out of respect for the May-No!
We grew up with Blue Plate; I later came to loveDukes Mayonnaise.
If you get a sandwich with that mess on it, its no miracleits a curse!
Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Both ofmy grandmothersloved me very much; one was a great cook, the other wasnt.
you’re free to guess which one made sandwiches with Miracle Whip.
Just thinking about it makes me shudder.
Its too everything, except too good.
Keep that carpet-bagging mayonnaise off my sandwich, thank you very much!
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Must Everyone Love Mayonnaise?
Relentlessly teasing them (like my family insists on doing to my husband) only strengthens their resolve.
Be devilish like me and sneak it into things when theyre not looking.
And if youre asked Whats in this dip?
just say, Oh…just a little bit of yogurt.
Here are some of our favorite sandwich recipes that include mayo, plus a few more ingredients.
