Let's Make A Sandwich (1950) A Classic Educational Film

Summary

In this delightful video, Sally Gasko shares her recipe for an open-faced 'tuna rarebit' sandwich, a creative twist on the classic American staple. Using rye bread, melted cheese, and canned tuna, she crafts a warm, comforting snack perfect for unexpected guests. The video also highlights the importance of having versatile ingredients on hand and suggests a colorful salad and potato chips for a complete meal. Beverage options like coke or milk add a touch of hospitality, making this a cozy and inviting dining experience.

Takeaways

• 🥪 The sandwich is a staple in American cuisine, suitable for lunchboxes, parties, and picnics.
• 🍔 While hamburgers and hot dogs are popular, the script introduces a special type of sandwich called 'tuna rarebit'.
• 🍞 The base of the tuna rarebit is rye bread, chosen for its spicy caraway flavor that contrasts with the fish and cheese.
• 🧀 Cheese, specifically an easy-melting type, is used as a base for the rarebit, and is sliced to speed up the melting process.
• 🧈 Butter is used not only for flavor but also as a blending agent in the preparation of the tuna rarebit.
• 🥄 A wooden spoon is recommended to mix the ingredients to avoid discoloration of the tuna rarebit mixture.
• 🥗 To add variation in color and texture, a salad with celery, radishes, olives, and pickles is prepared alongside the sandwich.
• 🍟 Potato chips, once only for picnics, are now a versatile snack that complements the tuna rarebit for a complete meal.
• 🔥 The bread is toasted quickly in a broiler to prepare the open-faced sandwich for the tuna rarebit topping.
• 🥤 Offering guests a choice of beverages, such as coke or milk, is a gracious gesture and part of good hospitality.
• 🌿 Aesthetics matter, as evidenced by the use of parsley for garnish and a touch of Tabasco for a taste surprise in the tuna rarebit.

Q & A

What is the main dish Sally is preparing in the script?

Sally is preparing a tuna rarebit, which is an open-faced sandwich with a cheese melt and canned tuna fish mixture on top.

Why does Sally choose rye bread as the base for her tuna rarebit?

Sally chooses rye bread because its spicy caraway flavor contrasts well with the bland fish and cheese, enhancing the overall taste of the sandwich.

What is the role of butter in the preparation of the tuna rarebit?

Butter is used in the tuna rarebit preparation for flavor and as a blending agent. It is melted in a double boiler to create a base for the cheese.

What type of cheese does Sally use, and why?

Sally uses an easy melting type of cheese as a base for the rarebit to ensure a smooth and creamy texture when it melts.

How does Sally ensure the cheese melts smoothly in the preparation?

Sally speeds up the melting process by cutting the cheese into slices and adding it to a milk and butter mixture over a simmer flame.

What is the significance of using a wooden spoon when mixing the tuna into the cheese mixture?

Using a wooden spoon helps avoid discoloration of the mixture, ensuring that the tuna rarebit maintains a visually appealing color.

What additional items does Sally include to complement the tuna rarebit?

Sally adds a salad with celery, radishes, olives, and pickles, as well as potato chips, to provide variation in color, texture, and taste.

Why does Sally toast the bread quickly in the broiler?

Toasting the bread quickly in the broiler adds a crispy texture and a warm base for the tuna rarebit topping.

What beverage options does Sally's mother consider for the guests?

Sally's mother thinks of offering guests a choice between coke and milk, providing a beverage selection that caters to different preferences.

How does the use of parsley enhance the tuna rarebit presentation?

Parsley is used for its aesthetic value, adding a touch of green color to the dish and enhancing its visual appeal.

What final touch does Sally add to the tuna rarebit for a taste surprise?

Sally adds a touch of Tabasco sauce for color and to provide a surprise spicy kick to the flavor of the tuna rarebit.