The Highball Sandwich (1940)

The highball sandwich is a coinage of my own, I believe. It has been the solution for many of my friends and pupils who wanted to know what to serve a group of men meeting for an evening of cards of talk, or to a mixed group which was to have highballs during an evening gathering.

It is the larger brother of the cocktail sandwich. It is thicker by 1/8th of an inch or so, and about 3 inches square.  It fills in when a substantial snack is desired and where a buffet table would be a nuisance.  Such sandwiches may be prepared or ordered in advance, and kept in the refrigerator till they are to be served.

The highball sandwich should nearly always be on dark. well-flavored bread, and should be well filled and substantial in appearance.  

Chicken, meats, and cheese are the most acceptable fillings, with plenty of spice and sauce.  The mixtures welcome at cocktail time are not as desirable here, nor are the very "gooey" fillings, which have a tendency to drip here and there.  (Heaven help the hostess who gives men drippy or sliding sandwiches!)

Serve plenty of pickles with these snacks, additional mustard and horse-radish, and some celery and radishes; usually, green onions will be appreciated.

(Origin - "Hors d'Oeuvre and Canapes" by James Beard, 1940.)