7 simple secrets to making the perfect sandwich

A sandwich is the perfect quick but filling meal. It takes minutes to make, is highly portable, can be made to suit anyone's taste and works any time of the year.

But you can't just make a sandwich - there are rules. These 7 rules may not be scientifically proven, like our diet, but you definitely can't go wrong if you follow them.

1. Don't stack it too high.

It's tempting to try to smash all your favourite ingredients in there but eating a 10 cm high sandwich is really difficult. Stick to 4 or 5 carefully selected ingredients (for example: turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato = club sandwich).

2. Easy on the grease.

If you don't eat the sandwich right away, you're going to end up with soggy bread if you're too enthusiastic with the sauce (see rule #6 to counteract soggy bread). And if you take a sandwich that's been doused in mayo to go, you risk getting it all over your clothes.

3. Keep it simple.

Sandwiches are simple by nature, so try to keep it that way. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich, for example, is a true wonder of easy cooking. Have you tried the PBH (peanut butter and honey) yet? Try it. It's a match made in heaven.

4. Layer wet and dry.

When layering the sandwich, make sure wet ingredients (e.g. tomatoes) are layered with dry ingredients (e.g. bacon) and that two wet ingredients aren't layered together. The texture of the sandwich will be so much better.

5. Butter both sides.

Butter - or other preferred spread - works as a membrane against the filling in your sandwich. By buttering both pieces of bread you keep any moisture in your tomatoes, cucumber, tuna or other wet ingredients from making it soggy.

6. Eat it as fresh as possible.

From the moment your sandwich is made, the sandwich starts deteriorating. If you're bringing it to work for lunch, toast it right before you eat it if possible.

7. Toast it.

It only adds a couple of extra minutes but toasting a sandwich adds a whole new level of comfort to the meal. The bread in a perfectly toasted sandwich is crispy on the outside, nice and soft in the middle, and just a little wet on the inside from whatever condiments you've been using.

Looking for a perfect sandwich recipe? Check out our Minute steak sandwich with pesto and grilled veg