Pesto and Ham Sandwiches

If you know me, you know that I like shopping at Costco.  My husband and I were there not long ago and they were sampling these sandwiches.  What a great taste combination! Well, we knew we had company coming so we thought they would be perfect and so easy.    We bought all the ingredients right there and the next day we made up the sandwiches.  They were a big hit and so we made them again for company that stopped by today.  Once again they were shining stars.  I made my Potato Salad and a cold veggie plate to go with them.  The ham I used was the smoked ham chunk that Costco carries.  Enjoy this easy and yummy treat!

                                                   Pesto and Ham Sandwiches

                                                 PESTO AND HAM SANDWICHES

1 loaf Sourdough Baguette
Prepared Pesto (or, you can make your own)
Smoked Ham Chunk, sliced
Brie, with the rind removed

Slice the Baguette nearly all the way open, the long way.  Lay the Baguette open and slather generously on both sides with the Prepared Pesto.  Place the sliced ham on the bottom.  Spread the Brie onto the Ham. Close the Bread and press firmly.  Now, you can slice it and eat.  Or, you can wrap the whole sandwich with plastic wrap and it can go into the fridge.  I have made this several times and it keeps very well for a couple of days.  The pesto soaks into the bread!  Yum!  When you are ready to serve it, I like to slice it on the diagonal and serve smallish sandwiches - it's easier to eat - looks really good and everyone can always have seconds...  or maybe even thirds!

Note:  You can use other meats..  smoked turkey, salami, roast beef etc.
           You can make your own pesto or a yummy Chimichurri Sauce is good (no nuts and no cheese)
           You can skip the cheese (only if you must) or try another soft cheese to suit your taste.
           You can use a good Sweet Baguette instead of Sourdough if you like
           

Grilled Zucchini and Cheese Sandwich

I love local Farmer's Markets!  They inspire me to try so many new things in new ways.  My favorite area of our local grocery store is the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Department.  We are so lucky here in California to have so many fresh and beautiful fruits and vegetables available at all times.  I usually choose what I want by what looks good. I was inspired to make this Grilled Zucchini and Cheese Sandwich a couple of years ago when we had a huge supply of fresh-from- the-garden zucchini and it has become a real favorite of ours.  I like the contrast of the sharp cheese with the sweet flavor of the slightly cooked zucchini.  I like to spread a little bit of margarine on the outside of the bread, rather than heating the margarine directly in the pan because this insures a nice even grilling of the sandwich.  We just had these for lunch and they were so yummy!  Let me know what you think of them.



Grilled Zucchini and Cheese Sandwich

2 small Green Zucchini, sliced the long way and 1/2” thick (4 slices per squash)

1 cup grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese                                                                                 

4 slices Sourdough Bread (Rye Bread is really good too)

Dijon Mustard

Soft Margarine

Spray a non stick cooking spray onto your grill pan.  Heat pan to med. high heat. Saute the sliced zucchini lightly on each side.  I usually do this for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, you don’t want to overcook it.  Salt and pepper one side of the squash.

Spread a thin coat of Dijon Mustard on one piece of bread for each sandwich.  Layer the cooked zucchini on the bread.  Sprinkle the Sharp Cheddar Cheese on the Zucchini.  After you put the second slice of bread on top, spread a light coating of soft Margarine on the top slice.  Put the sandwich in the heated grill pan, margarine side down.  Spread the top slice of bread with soft margarine.  Once your sandwich is browned on the first side and the cheese is beginning to melt, carefully turn the sandwich over and brown it on the second side. 

This sandwich is really good with grilled onions on top of the zucchini too!  

Makes 1 sandwich

                     

Fried Egg and Bacon Sandwich

I think we all have go-to type quickie meals that we fix when we can't think of anything else to fix.  Well, for me, it has always been a Fried Egg Sandwich.  We never think of there being a recipe for such things because they are so simple.  Sometimes it is just getting an idea or some helpful instructions that make something really special.  I have been seeing Sriracha Hot Thai Chili Sauce mentioned in cooking blogs lately.  I picked up some at my local grocery store.  It sat in my fridge and I couldn't think of what to do with it.  I also picked up some of those whole wheat thin buns because they looked like a good idea to help cut back on carbs.  The buns tasted a little sweet to me so I wasn't impressed with them for most sandwiches, so I popped them into the freezer.  Well, guess what I did...  I put all of these ideas together and came up with a super duper Fried Egg and Bacon Sandwich.  In the past, I would fry my egg, pop the yolk and put it on bread with mayonnaise and catsup - a quick and tasty sandwich. Here is my latest and newest version of a Fried Egg and Bacon Sandwich, with a spicy and yummy Sriracha Mayonnaise.  You can tame the mayo down or up to suit your own taste.  I really do like the flavor of this latest find of mine.

                                Fried Egg and Bacon Sandwich

Sriracha Mayonnaise:

In a small bowl, combine 1/2  to 1 full teaspoon Sriracha Hot Thai Chili Sauce with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise.  At first, you will want to taste the mayonnaise with 1/2 teaspoon of the Srirache Sauce in it and add more (a little at a time) to get to the correct amount of spiciness to suit your taste.  This makes enough for 2 sandwiches.

1 whole wheat thin bun per sandwich - you can use lightly toasted bread if you can't find the buns

2-3  slices crispy fried bacon, I cut my bacon in half for the right size strips

1 fried egg, popped yolk is my favorite

Spread half the Sriracha Mayo on one side of the bun.  Place the crispy bacon on the bun.  Place your fried egg on top of the bacon.  Put the top of the bun in place and cut your sandwich in half.  You can serve this with a small bowl of fruit or just enjoy it by itself.  Even without the bacon it is a quick and easy meal or snack.