What’s not to love about a homemade sandwich?

There really is nothing more convenient, satisfying and fulfilling to eat than a homemade sandwich. Whether it’s hot or cold, there are many different types of sandwiches that can satisfy a hearty appetite.

To learn more about the art of sandwiching, Rachel Belle spoke to the author of The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches Recipes, History and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread, during this weekend’s “Ring My Belle“.

“When you think of food, I can’t think of anything more democratic than a sandwich,” author Susan Russo exclaimed. “It is humble, unpretentious; it’s easy to get along with. It’s kind of like anything goes, so what’s not to love about it?”

Some of the best sandwiches, according to Russo, are the ones that trigger a warm, sentimental feeling.

“When you think of some of your fondest food memories, how many times do you think of sandwiches?” Russo explained. “Whether it’s your school lunch sandwich that your mom packed for you, or the first time you had a real gourmet sandwich, or the first time you had kind of an iconic sandwich in a city that you were visiting — those experiences really stay with us because they have such an impact on us.”

Russo says her all-time favorite is a simple, homemade meatball sandwich because it was something her mom would make her for school lunch. She tells people that “she wouldn’t have made it through junior year chemistry class” without her mom’s famous sandwich.

“I think a lot of people feel the same way that your favorite is the one that brings you those warm and fuzzy feelings that you associate with comfort,” Russo explained.

While the book is a good way to try out different sandwich recipes, Russo says the best part are the stories and history behind each sandwich.

“That’s the joy of the book, at least for me. I absolutely love researching the history of these sandwiches and learning about their backgrounds.”

If you want to learn how to make a scrumptious pastrami that would make a New Yorker ask for seconds, Russo’s book has everything you need to make a top notch sandwich.

“While there are a lot of basic sandwiches that you already know of like the peanut butter and jelly, there are other sandwiches that you have probably never heard of or maybe never really knew how to make.”

Ring My Belle with Rachel Belle can be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and available anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com

By MICHAEL SIMEONA, MyNorthwest.com Editor