Chef David Burke's Twists On The Sandwich

When most people hear the word sandwich they probably think of turkey, lettuce, and tomato on a slice of white bread. In other words: boring. That's not my sentiment, though, because I'm constantly thinking outside the box when creating new sandwiches. When I'm thinking of sandwich ideas, I think under the sentiment that the basic definition of a sandwich is a few ingredients wedged between two pieces of another ingredient. As long as you've got that, you've got a sandwich. Here are some of my unique creations:

The Pizza-wich

Leftover pizza is pretty good, but this is even better. Take a slice of cold pizza and top with prosciutto, arugula, oil, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. Pizza becomes not only the perfect crust to cheese and tomato sauce, but the perfect one for your gourmet sandwich!

The Stacked Sandwich

Not what you'd originally think from the name, but "stacked sandwich" is a way to make the ultimate breakfast into a sandwich. Take two pancakes and top one with ham, egg, and cheese for a breakfast sandwich, or make a fried chicken wrap with one.

Leftover Meatloaf

Sure, your mother may have tried this one before, but I bet not the way I do it. I place a piece of leftover meatloaf between two pieces of white bread and stack it with pickles. Then I butter the outside of the bread slices and grill it until the bread is golden brown and crusty. Topped with a fried egg, it's one pretty delicious sandwich.

Tuna Tartare Sandwich

Tartare gets a spot in a homey sandwich with this recipe. I oil and grill two pieces of artisan bread and top it with tartare, ginger, and sesame oil for an Asian-inspired sandwich.

Burke in the Box's Crab Royal Sandwich

A sellout at my Bloomingdale's' restaurant, my Crab Royal Sandwich redefines the role of a typical crabcake, and gives crab a place among all of the other "salads" we use to make sandwiches with.

David Burke is a world-renowned chef and restaurateur. To learn more about him, visit his website and his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter @ChefDavidBurke.