The National Sandwich Idea contest was held between 1956 and 1981. It was sponsored by the Wheat Flour Institute. Each year 20 sandwich recipes, created by Food Service professionals, were chosen as the top sandwich recipes from hundreds of entries.

The Mikado Sandwich was the number #1 recipe chosen in 1971.

It was created by Mrs. Dianne Markham of Seattle, WA. The Mikado Sandwich is an Asian inspired, breaded sliced cold roast pork loin seasoned with a sauce made from applesauce, honey, mustard and ground ginger on an English muffin.

Mikado Sandwich - 1971 #1 winner

1/4 cup applesauce
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tbsp prepared yellow mustard
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp soy sauce
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp poultry seasoning
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup fine dry enriched bread crumbs
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
6 slices (2 oz each) cold roast pork loin
Butter
6 enriched English muffins, split, toasted and buttered
6 lettuce leaves

Combine applesauce, honey, mustard and ginger; chill 1 hour.
Blend together egg, soy sauce, garlic powder, poultry
seasoning and ground black pepper in a shallow bowl.
Stir together bread crumbs, sesame seeds and seasoned salt in
another shallow bowl.
Dip pork slices in egg mixture and coat in bread crumb mixture.
In a skillet, brown breaded pork slices on both sides in butter.
Place lettuce leaf on one half of toasted, buttered English muffin;
top with browned, breaded, pork slice.
Spread applesauce mixture on other muffin half.
Serve hot, open face. Close for eating, if desired.

Makes 6 sandwiches.

Source: Telegraph Herald newspaper, Aug 9, 1971