Filling ideas for National Sandwich Week

You can't beat a good sandwich if you ask me and there's no doubting that they're a staple for lunchtimes. Soft bread, creamy butter and your favourite filling - what can be better?

Just add a handful of crisps and a mug of tea.

Sometimes though, it can be hard to come up with new filling ideas. We all have our favourite sandwich - for Ethan, it's just butter and marmite - but if you're making lunch to take to work or enjoy sandwiches during the week as a midday staple, it can get a bit same-y.

The Co-op asked me if I wanted to come up with and share some filling ideas for National Sandwich Week (starts this Monday, 8th May), so I popped to our local store to see what I could rustle up...

I have not one but four simple sandwich ideas here that all contain three main fillings - hopefully something to suit everyone and get those tastebuds tingling.

You will need:
- Your sandwich carrier of choice - soft white sliced bread, a crusty cob, New York style bagel or even ciabatta, whichever works for you as this is the key to a successful sandwich

1) Grilled halloumi, sweet peppers and houmous

- Slice a block of halloumi and some sweet peppers. Drizzle the peppers with olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs and place with the cheese underneath the grill for up to 10 minutes, to give them colour.

- Spread houmous onto your bread / bagel / ciabatta then add the halloumi and peppers.

2) Chicken and bacon melt

- Butter two slices of bread then place under the grill for a couple of minutes, both sides.
- Layer up sliced cheese, chicken slices and ready cooked bacon rashers.

- Place under the grill again so the cheese starts to melt.
- Add a squeeze of mayo and American or Dijon mustard, then tuck in.

3) Stilton, bacon and avocado

- Slice your bread or roll - I had this with a sesame seed bagel.
- Thinly slice the stilton - it's a strong flavour, so you don't need to be too generous.
- Top with ready cooked bacon rashers, or grill some bacon yourself if you have it and you're not in a rush.

- Slice half an avocado and place on top of the bacon, put the other half of your bagel back on top and enjoy the mix of flavours.

4) Tuna with a twist

- Tuna sandwiches are always good but to perk them up a bit, take a ready made sandwich filler and add something extra.
- Halved fresh olives give a really nice tang.
- Add diced red onion for bite.
- If you have anything else in the fridge, like cucumber or peppers, chop these up and mix them in too to add more flavour and interest to your typical tuna sandwich.

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My top tip for tip top sandwiches is to plan ahead so that you have enough bread / rolls in to give you a few rounds / days' worth to enjoy. I often take some wraps or rolls to work along with enough fillings to make up enough lunches to last a few days and this way, you can be sure you look forward to lunchtime as you have something interesting to eat and you can reduce any wastage and be cost-effective too.

For more National Sandwich Week inspiration, visit Central England Co-operative.