Thursday, June 21, 2012

Spectacular Summer Sandwiches

Hot.  Humid.  Time for dinner?  Does anyone really want to heat up the kitchen?  Of course not!  That's why sandwiches have super special spot when it comes to summer meals.  There are literally thousands of sandwiches and even more variations of each, and nothing says summer like the taste of a delicious sandwich made from the harvest of your own garden.  And if your garden didn't produce this year, then there's always a farmer's market close by that offers locally grown, fresh produce.

Of course we have our favorites, but we also have some adventurous inventions that make a cool departure from the old standards.  

The sandwich!  It is definitely a life saver on super hot, 95 degree today!

Our all time favorite summer sandwich is the BLT.  The classic version.  Bacon, lettuce, slices of a juicy red tomato picked right off the vine liberally sprinkled with salt and pepper,  with Duke's mayonnaise generously spread on toasted slices of white bread.  Hungry yet?

Basil Tomato Sandwiches.  Spread some slices of ciabatta bread with some cream cheese or a couple of slices of fresh mozzarella, add some basil leaves picked from your herb garden, top with some fresh tomato slices.  If you'd like, you can lightly grill the tomato slices and drizzle them with a little olive oil.  Quick, easy, super flavorful.

If you love summer squash as much as I do, then this Squash Sandwich will quickly become a favorite.  All you need is yellow, green or a mixture of both squashes.    Cut the squash into long thin strips and combine with sliced onion.  Saute in olive oil for three or four minutes.  Add a couple of slices of Monterey Jack cheese to pan and stir until just melted.  To give it a true Southwestern take, add some freshly shucked corn into the mixture.  Place on your favorite toasted bread, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and be prepared to fall in love.

Cucumber Sandwiches with Dill are cool, refreshing, low calorie AND tasty!  The perfect summer shape up food.  Make a mixture of cream cheese, mayo, salt & pepper.  Gently spread on bead, top with cucumber slices and sprinkle with fresh, chopped dill.  They're even better made ahead and chilled for a couple of hours.

Ever try a Chicago-Style Pepper and Egg Sandwich?  Those green  peppers you have growing in your garden will give you the opportunity to try it out.  Chop a couple of green peppers and saute them in olive oil until tender.  Add a couple of beaten eggs into the pan and scramble.  Add salt and pepper and place on Italian style sub rolls.

Strawberry Peanut Butter Sandwich.  Who needs jam when you have strawberries around?  Slice strawberries and place one slice of bread, spread the other side with your favorite peanut butter.

Is there a summer sandwich recipe you love?  Share your favorite in our comments section.








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