Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

Drive down main street in Sibley, Iowa, and it doesn't take too long to notice the Front Porch on Main.

With its white porch finials and welcoming decor, this small sandwich and ice cream shop, that also features a gift shop, seems to say “come on in and eat.”

Julie Ackerman, the deli and shop's owner opened her business eight years ago.

“I felt our town needed a gift store and ice cream parlor,” she said. “I knew I needed both businesses because a gift shop couldn't make it on its own and neither could an ice cream shop.”

Today, she serves deli style sandwiches, soup and salad along with coffee and ice cream. She says that her shop has become known for the homemade chicken salad sandwiches that she makes.

“It's a recipe that I've always had,” she said. “I use it for a sandwich or I add raspberries to it and put it on a bed of lettuce for a raspberry chicken salad.”

Although she guards this recipe closely, and won't share the recipe, she did share some tips on making deli-quality sandwiches.

“Always use the freshest and best quality meat and cheese. We also use really good quality wheat bread - that really matters as well,” Ackerman said.

Because her shop also has a gift gallery she says that many patrons come in for lunch and end up doing some shopping as well.

Even though the town of Sibley is only about 3,500, she says that the community support has been excellent, and her gift shop has done well.

“We carry unique candle lanterns, framed pictures, unique glass pieces - a lot of what we carry is in what I call cottage-country,” she said.

Chicken Salad Sandwhich

2 c. chopped, simmered chicken

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1 hard cooked egg, chopped

3 Tbsp. chopped, scraped celery

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper

12 slices of whole wheat or white bread, buttered and softened

Combine chopped chicken, mayonnaise, egg, celery, salt and pepper. Mix well. Spread 1/3 cup chicken salad evenly on one side of six slices of bread. Place the remaining six bread slices over the chicken salad to make the sandwich.

Spread butter on outside of top slice of bread, invert sandwich onto a hot sandwich maker, skillet or griddle. Cook until bread is browned. Spread butter on ungrilled side of bread; carefully turn sandwiches and cook until bread is browned.

Makes six sandwiches.

Recipe courtesy of www.cooks.com.