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Category: Sandwiches & Lunch Dishes

Ham Salad with Poached Egg

Ham Salad with Poached Egg

Ham Salad with Poached Egg

Fresh Basil Leaves

Prosciutto

Fresh tomatoes when in season, or cherry tomatoes year-round

Egg

Fresh Ground Sea Salt & Pepper (I love Himalayan Pink Sea Salt)

Wash basil leaves and pat dry with paper towel.  Arrange on your plate. Place proscuitto perfectly on your plate.  Slice tomatoes and add to your plating.  Poach your egg.  Add enough water to cover your egg to a shallow skillet.  Bring to a simmer and then stir the water with a whisk to get it swirling (think tornado-this will keep your egg from spreading out in the water).   Add your egg to the still swirling water and allow to simmer until cooked to your liking. Remove the cooked egg with a slotted spoon and place gently on top of your plate.  Season with a touch of fresh ground salt and pepper.

Teddies Bento

Teddies Bento

Here she has coated the teddy onigiri with some flakes of katsuo bushi  after tinting the rice light brown with soy sauce. Under them is some chicken for support, the rest was sliced there.

Strawberry/carrot flowers

Tamagoyaki

Broccoli, carrot stars

 

Heart “Pizza” Bento

Heart “Pizza” Bento

Looks like mini “pizzas” from puff pastry perhaps.

Grapes, strawberry, orange slices

Looks like some grape tomatoes tucked in

There are perhaps some of that pink fishy stuff in there.

Little piggy Baran piece.

She makes such uncluttered and pretty bentos.

Twist on Plowman’s Lunch

Twist on Plowman’s Lunch

I find something very appealing / comforting about the ploughman’s lunch.  Why?  I don’t know, I am not British 😂 This feels like a more Americanized version, without the Branson Pickle.  I’d still want onions, hah!

Car Ride Bento

Car Ride Bento

Cherry tomatoes turned into balloon and cherries with the picks

grapes

Broccoli

Sandwich Car, sausage, cheese, nori, and perhaps ham

Tonkatsu Bento

Tonkatsu Bento

Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet).  You can buy tonkatsu sauce or make an approximation with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce and sugar.

Rice

Salad, Broccoli, Yellow Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Radish

Dressing

Tuna Cakes

Tuna Cakes

Tuna Cakes

Roasted Red Pepper Dressing (enclose if container isn’t air /water tight)

Celery, Carrots, Tomato Chunks

Rosemary Raisin Crisps

Traditional Ploughman’s Plate

Traditional Ploughman’s Plate

Pub food – the traditional Ploughman’s Plate with Scotch Eggs, cheeses, farmer’s bread, Branston Pickle, etc.

 

 

 

(I am not a fan of that Branston Pickle!)

 

 

WIW: Waffled Cuban Sandwich

WIW: Waffled Cuban Sandwich

WIW: Waffled Cuban Sandwich

1 crusty Sandwich Roll or Individual Ciabatta Loaf

1 T. yellow mustard

3 oz. cooked ham, thinly sliced

3 oz. cooked pork loin, thinly sliced

3 oz. Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

2 dill pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise

 

Preheat the waffle iron on low. Split the bread into top and bottom halves, hollow it out a bit to make room for the meat, and spread the mustard across both slices. Assemble the ham, pork loin, cheese, and pickles between the pieces of bread. Press down on the sandwich to compact it a bit and place it in the waffle iron, as far away from the hinge as possible. (This allows the lid to press down on the sandwich more evenly.) Close the lid of the waffle iron and cook for 5 minutes. About halfway through, you may need to rotate the sandwich 180 degrees to ensure even pressure and cooking. If you’d like, you can press down on the lid of the waffle iron a bit to compact the sandwich, but do so carefully—the lid could be very hot. Remove the sandwich from the waffle iron when the cheese is thoroughly melted. Cut the sandwich in half, or diagonally, and serve.

Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Pear Tart

Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Pear Tart

Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Pear Tart

4 slices bacon

1 8 1/2 ounce package corn muffin mix

1/2 C. all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1/4 C. milk

1 large pear or apple, cored and thinly sliced

1/3 C. crumbled Blue Cheese or shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/4 C. chopped Toasted Walnuts (optional)

Snipped fresh thyme (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 T. of the drippings. Crumble bacon; set aside. Meanwhile, for crust, in a large bowl stir together muffin mix, flour, and the 2 tsp. snipped or 1 tsp. dried thyme. Using a fork, stir in egg and milk. Gather mixture into a ball, kneading gently until it holds together. Using floured hands, press dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle in the prepared baking pan. Arrange pear slices on top of crust. Brush pear slices and crust with 1 to 2 T. of the reserved bacon drippings.  Bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with blue cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake about 5 minutes more or until edges of crust are golden and center is set. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts and additional fresh thyme. Cut into rectangles.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 422 (with walnuts) 357 (without walnuts)

Fat: 12g

Fiber: 2g

Green-On-Green Sandwiches

Green-On-Green Sandwiches

Green-On-Green Sandwiches 

4slices whole grain bread

2T. Herb Pesto (recipe below)

1/4 C. Pickled Red Onions (recipe below)

1/2C. large spinach leaves

1medium tomatillo or tomato, very thinly sliced

1/4 avocado, thinly sliced and brushed lightly with lime juice

1ounce thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese

1/2C. scored and thinly sliced English cucumber

4 leaf or bibb lettuce leaves

 

Place bread slices on a cutting board. Spread slices evenly with the Herb Pesto. Arrange Pickled Red Onions evenly over two slices. Layer the spinach, half of the tomatillos, the avocado, cheese, the remaining tomatillos, cucumbers, and lettuce over onions. Top with the remaining two slices bread, pesto side down. Wrap sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

 

Pickled Red Onions

 

1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced (2 C.)

1/2C. red wine vinegar

1T. sugar

1/4tsp. salt

 

In a medium bowl combine vinegar, sugar, and salt, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in onion. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Chill for longer storage (up to 3 days). Drain before using.

 

Herb Pesto

 

1 1/2 C. packed fresh basil leaves

1/4C. slivered almonds, toasted

2T. snipped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

2 T. snipped fresh tarragon

1 large clove garlic, quartered

3T. olive oil

1/4tsp. cracked black pepper

1/8tsp. salt

 

In a food processor or blender combine basil, almonds, parsley, tarragon, and garlic. Process until herbs are finely chopped. Add oil, pepper, and salt; process to a coarse puree. Transfer pesto to a small bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pesto. Chill. May be made up to 1 week ahead.

 

 

Yield: 2 sandwiches

Calories: 302

Fat: 14g

Fiber: 7g

Waffled Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

Waffled Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

Vegetable oil or non-stick cooking spray

1 quart leftover or uncooked stuffing (stuffing made with egg works best)

2 C. leftover gravy

8 oz. grated Comté or Gruyère cheese

1 lb. sliced roast turkey breast

1 T. butter

4 eggs

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 T. chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or chervil

 

Adjust oven rack to 5 inches below broiler element and preheat broiler to low. Preheat a four-well Belgian waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and add 1 C. of stuffing to each well. Close waffle iron and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Set waffles aside. While waffles bake, make the gravy cheese sauce. Heat gravy in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, whisking frequently, until simmering. Remove from heat and whisk in 6 oz. of cheese. Continue whisking until completely smooth. For a glossier sauce, blend with a hand blender until shiny, about 1 minute. Keep warm. Place the waffles in a large oven-safe skillet or on a foil-lined broiler pan. Top with sliced turkey. Ladle half of cheese sauce over turkey, followed by remaining grated cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, fry the eggs. Melt the butter in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and cook until whites are cooked through but yolks are still liquid, about 2 minutes. Top broiled turkey waffles with fried eggs, ladle remaining gravy over the whites of the eggs, season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with herbs, and serve immediately.

 

BLT Corn Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

BLT Corn Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

BLT Corn Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

1/2 C. yellow cornmeal

1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 T. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

2 eggs

1 C. whole milk

1 C. fresh sweet corn kernels or frozen whole kernel corn, thawed and drained

Nonstick cooking spray

2 large green or red tomatoes, sliced

8 slices thick sliced applewood smoked bacon

3 T. packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

3 C. fresh mesclun mix

1 recipe Buttermilk Dressing

1 C. cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. For corn cakes, in a small bowl combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. In a medium bowl, lightly whisk together eggs and milk. Add cornmeal mixture to egg mixture; mix well. Stir in corn. Evenly coat a griddle or skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat on medium-high heat until hot. Pour about 1/3 C. batter for each cake onto the griddle, spread to about 4 inches in diameter. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to platter; cover and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. (Yields about 8 corn cakes) Meanwhile, for candied bacon, line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil. Arrange bacon strips about 1 1/2 inches apart. In a small bowl stir together brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Spoon mixtures evenly oven bacon. Bake 14 to 16 minutes until bacon is browned and crisp. Transfer to paper towel; cool. Halve slices. To assemble, place one corn cake on each of four plates. Layer half of bacon pieces, the tomato slices, some mesclun, and remaining corn cakes. Drizzle with Buttermilk Dressing, and top with remaining bacon, mesclun, and cherry tomatoes.

 

Buttermilk Dressing: Combine 1/3 C. buttermilk, ¼ C. fat free Greek Yogurt, 2 tsp. snipped dill, 1 tsp. Lemon Juice and a bit of pepper to a mason jar and shake until well combined.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 442

Fat: 16g

Fiber: 4g

Thai Lettuce Wraps

Thai Lettuce Wraps

Thai Lettuce Wraps

1 T. Soy Sauce

1 T. Asian Fish Sauce

Finely Grated Zest of ½ Lime

1 tsp. fresh Lime Juice

1/2 tsp. honey

1/8 tsp. kosher salt, plus more as needed

1 T. peanut oil

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 fresh Thai, serrano, or jalapeno chile, seeded and finely chopped

1 scallion (white and green parts), finely chopped, plus more for serving

1 lemongrass stalk, trimmed, outer layers removed, inner core minced (optional)

1 pound ground pork, not too lean if possible (or use ground turkey)

5 C. (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach

1/2 C. fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

Chopped cashews, for serving

Thinly sliced shallots, for serving

Shredded Carrots, for Serving

Lime Wedges for Serving

Lettuce Leaves, for Serving

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime zest and juice, honey, and the 1/8 tsp. salt. Heat the peanut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, chile, scallion, and lemongrass if using. Cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Then stir in the pork and cook until it is well browned and most of the juices have evaporated, about 7 minutes. (Use a flat spatula to press down on the pork so it can get very browned and crispy on the bottom. This adds great flavor and texture.) Add the soy sauce mixture and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted. Toss in the basil. Taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Baked Brie Strata

Baked Brie Strata

Baked Brie Strata

2 small Zucchini, cut crosswise into ¼” thick slices, about 2 C.

Salt & Pepper

Olive Oil Pam

6 slices Whole Wheat Bread, dried, and torn into bite sized pieces

4.4oz. pkg. Brie, cut into ½” cubes

1 C. halved Cherry Tomatoes

4 Eggs

2/3 C. evaporated Fat-Free Milk

1/3 C. Scallions, sliced

3 T. chopped fresh Dill

Salt and Pepper

 

In covered medium saucepan, cook zucchini in a small amount of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until just tender. Drain and transfer to medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Meanwhile, coat a 2 quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange 4 C. of the bread in the baking dish. Arrange zucchini and tomatoes on top. Cover with remaining 2 C. of bread pieces. In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, green onions, dill, salt and pepper. Pour evenly over bread mixture in baking dish. Lightly press down layers with the back of a spoon. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours. Preheat oven to 325. Remove plastic wrap and cover baking dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and then back an additional 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

 

Yield: 6 servings

Calories: 216

Fat: 10g

Fiber: 3g

Beefy Hand Pies

Beefy Hand Pies

Beefy Hand Pies

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1/2 small red onion, chopped

1/4 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 slice white bread, crusts removed

1/4 pound ground beef

1 T. ketchup

2 T. freshly grated parmesan

Salt and pepper to season

One 7.5 ounce store bought refrigerated piecrust

1 egg, beaten with a pinch of salt

Put the oil in a small frying pan, add the onion, and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the thyme and set aside. Put the bread in a food processor and whiz into crumbs. Add the sautéed onion, beef, ketchup, and parmesan, plus salt and pepper to taste and whiz again to combine.  Preheat the oven to 400’f. Roll out the piecrust to 1/6 inch and trim into two rectangles about 7 x 5 inches. Halve the meat mixture and roll into two 7 inch sausages. Put one in the center of each rectangle and brush the edges of the crust with the egg. Roll the pastry over the meat to enclose it, and cut each roll into two pieces with a sharp knife (wipe the knife between each cut), crimp the open ends of each with a fork to seal. Put the pies on a baking sheet, seam side down. Cut decorations, such as hearts or stars, from the left over piecrust. Brush the pies with the egg and attach the decorations, then brush the decorations with the egg.  Bake the pies for 18-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Use a thin spatula to transfer the pies to a wire rack to cool. They are most delicious served warm but can be served cold. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Suitable for freezing, unbaked, for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

 

From Top 100 Finger Foods

Turkey, Muenster, and Cranberry Sandwich

Turkey, Muenster, and Cranberry Sandwich

Turkey, Muenster, and Cranberry Sandwich

 

3 thin slices Roast Turkey

1 small slice Muenster Cheese

2 slices Whole Grain Bread

1 T. Mayonnaise

2 tsp. chopped Dried Cranberries

1 tsp. finely sliced Scallion

Salt and Pepper

Small handful shredded Lettuce

 

Lay turkey and cheese on one slice bread, mix together mayonnaise, cranberries, scallion and seasonings.  Spread over the cheese, then scatter lettuce on top.  Add second slice of bread and cut into 4 pieces.

 

 

From Lunch Boxes and Snacks

Pea and Ricotta Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons

Pea and Ricotta Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons

Pea and Ricotta Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons

5 T.  extra virgin olive oil, plus extra, to drizzle

2 spring onions, trimmed, finely chopped

2 1/2 cups  frozen peas

4 C. firm full-milk ricotta

1 cup finely grated parmesan, plus extra shaved, to serve

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1 egg

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 zucchinis, peeled or shaved into ribbons

4–6 slices Prosciutto

2 tablespoons small basil leaves

 

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and stir for 3 minutes or until soft. Add peas and stir for a further 5 minutes or until peas are soft. Process mixture in a food processor until almost smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cool. Add ricotta, 40g (1/2 cup) parmesan, flour and egg to pea mixture, season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Line a large oven tray with foil, then drizzle with oil. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Using a tablespoon, scoop a spoonful of pea mixture. Using a second spoon, scoop under the mixture and gently push the oval-shaped scoop (quenelle) into the water. Working quickly, repeat to make 10 gnocchi. Cook for 2 minutes or until gnocchi float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on tray. Repeat process 3 more times; makes 40 gnocchi.

Zucchini Noodles with Bacon, Ricotta & Peas

Zucchini Noodles with Bacon, Ricotta & Peas

Zucchini Noodles with Bacon, Ricotta & Peas

2 large zucchini, spiralized into spaghetti noodle shapes

3 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped

1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

 

Heat a large skillet with the olive oil over medium high heat. When the skillet is hot add in the spiralized zucchini noodles, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the skillet for no more than one minute, just long enough to warm the noodles. Remove from the heat and top with the chopped bacon, peas, dollops of ricotta cheese, chopped basil, and more salt and pepper.

Serve immediately.

Absolute Best Roast Beef Sandwich

Absolute Best Roast Beef Sandwich

Absolute Best Roast Beef Sandwich

1/2 cup good-quality sour cream

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

2 tablespoons unsweetened all-natural applesauce

2 tablespoons panko or plain breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Salt and coarse black pepper

8 slices white or peasant bread from a large round loaf

8 slices rare roast beef or about 2/3 to 3/4 pound thinly sliced leftover steaks of any cut

1/4 cup minced red onion or 1 large shallot, finely chopped

A handful flat-leaf parsley, very finely chopped

1 small red chile pepper, such as fresno or cherry, seeded and finely chopped

Zest of 1 lemon

1 small bunch watercress–trimmed, cleaned and dried

1/2 pound brick of the sharpest white cheddar available to you, thinly sliced (itll be crumbly if its very sharp)

 

Combine the sauce ingredients. Heat a panini press, cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium to medium-high heat.   On a work surface, spread the horseradish sauce liberally over 4 slices of bread. Arrange 2 slices of rare roast beef over the sauce. Combine the red onion (or shallot) with the parsley, chile pepper and lemon zest and sprinkle liberally over the roast beef. Arrange a layer of watercress over the beef. Divide the cheese evenly among the sandwiches and set the remaining bread slices in place. Press the panini 2 at a time on the panini press or in a hot skillet with a pan weighted on top.

 

Wiggly Rice Noodle and Herb Salad with Sweet Shrimp

Wiggly Rice Noodle and Herb Salad with Sweet Shrimp

Wiggly Rice Noodle and Herb Salad with Sweet Shrimp

1 cup snow peas

2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced on the diagonal

2 scallions (white and green parts)

4 ounces thin rice-stick noodles

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fish sauce

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce, or more to taste

1 teaspoon honey

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Fill a large saucepan with salted water, and bring to a boil. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Add the snow peas to the boiling water, cook for 1 minute, and remove with a slotted spoon to the ice bath to cool. Repeat with the carrots. Thinly slice the peas, and cut the carrots into similarly sized matchsticks. Cut the scallions into 1½-inch sections and then thinly slice lengthwise into matchsticks.  Keep the pan of water on the stove but turn off the heat underneath it. Add the noodles and let steep in the hot water for 5 minutes, then drain well, and put in a large bowl. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the shrimp, sugar, 2 teaspoons of the lime juice, 1 teaspoon of the fish sauce, ½ teaspoon of the sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro.  Add the snow peas, carrots, scallion, mint, and remaining ½ cup cilantro to the rice noodles.  In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, remaining noodles and stir to mix in the shrimp, or let the shrimp cool, mix into the noodles, and serve the dish at room temperature.

Roast Beef Rubens with Horseradish Russian Dressing & Sauerkraut

Roast Beef Rubens with Horseradish Russian Dressing & Sauerkraut

Roast Beef Rubens with Horseradish Russian Dressing & Sauerkraut

3/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup (a small handful) fresh dill, chopped

About 3 tbsp. fresh chives, finely chopped

3 tbsp. ketchup

3 tbsp. relish

2 rounded tbsp. beet horseradish

Salt and pepper

Softened butter

8 slices Jewish marble rye

8 slices smoked Gouda

1 jar (16oz.) or 1 sack (1lb.) traditional refrigerated sauerkraut

1 tsp. each caraway and cumin seeds

1 1/4 lbs. rare roast beef, deli cut

8 slices Jarlsberg cheese

Half-sour or garlic deli pickles

In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, dill, chives, ketchup, relish and beet horseradish. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.    Butter one side of each slice of the bread and heat a griddle pan over medium.    With the buttered side facing down, top 4 slices of the bread with some of the dressing and 2 slices each of the smoked Gouda.     In a small saucepan, heat the sauerkraut with the seeds over medium just to heat through, about 5 minutes.  Top the Gouda with the roast beef and sauerkraut, then the Jarlsberg. Top with the remaining bread, buttered side up. Griddle until the cheeses melt and the bread is deep golden and crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Cut the sandwiches from corner to corner and serve with the pickles.

Sandwich Bread Waffles

Sandwich Bread Waffles

Sandwich Bread Waffles

2 eggs (separated)
2 C. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C. buttermilk (or add 1 tsp of lemon juice to regular milk and let it sit for 5 min)
2 T. melted butter
1/4 C. of green onion, chopped
3/4 C. of grated cheese (I used Tillamook White Cheddar – so good!)

Beat the egg whites until just firm; set aside. Add all the dry ingredients to a clean mixing bowl; whisk to combine. Beat the egg yolks and add them to the milk. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. Add melted butter and beat on low until just combined. Add the shredded cheese and the green onion and mix in. Fold the egg whites into the mix and stir gently until just combined. Preheat your waffle iron. Add batter and cook according to manufacturers’ directions.

Use these waffles to make a sandwich, instead of regular sandwich bread. Excellent as bread for a BLT or a Turkey, Bacon, Swiss sandwich.

Green Chile Waffled Quesadillas

Green Chile Waffled Quesadillas

Green Chile Waffled Quesadillas

4 flour tortillas
1 C. shredded Mexican- style cheese, such as queso Chihuahua or Monterey Jack
1⁄4 C. chopped canned green chiles

Preheat the waffle iron on medium. Coat both sides of the waffle iron grid with nonstick spray. Place a tortilla on the waffle iron and, taking care because the waffle iron is hot, spread half of the cheese and half of the green chiles evenly across the tortilla, leaving a margin of an inch or so around the edge of the tortilla. Top with another tortilla and close the waffle iron. Check the quesadilla after 3 minutes. When the cheese is melted and the tortilla has golden brown waffle marks, it is ready. Remove the quesadilla from the waffle iron. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the remaining ingredients, cut into wedges, and serve. Notes: For a more substantial meal, add one of the following to the tortilla in Step 2: • 1⁄2 C. shredded chicken or pork • 1⁄2 C. sliced steak • 1⁄2 C. refried beans Garnish with one or more of the following: • Chopped scallion • Crumbled bacon • Sour cream • Salsa • Guacamole

WBLT (Waffled Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato)

WBLT (Waffled Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato)

WBLT (Waffled Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato)

3 strips bacon
1 T. Butter, room temperature
2 slices sturdy Sandwich Bread
1 small ripe tomato, cut into ½ inch slices
2 leaves lettuce, washed and dried completely

Preheat the waffle iron on medium. Place the bacon strips in the waffle iron and close the lid. To ensure the bacon cooks thoroughly and evenly, make sure no part of the bacon is hanging out of the waffle iron. After 4 minutes, check the bacon—thin-cut slices could be ready, though thicker cuts may need I or 2 minutes more. When the bacon is crispy without being blackened, remove it from the waffle iron and set aside. Turn the waffle iron down to low. Spread a thin, even layer of butter on one side of each piece of bread. Spread the mayonnaise on the other side of one slice of bread and place it—mayo side up—on the waffle iron, as far away from the hinge as possible. (This allows the lid to press down on the sandwich more evenly.) Distribute the bacon, tomato, and lettuce evenly across the sandwich. Top with the second slice of bread, butter side up. Close the lid of the waffle iron and cook until the bread is golden brown, 2 minutes. About halfway through, you may need to rotate the sandwich 180 degrees to ensure even pressure and cooking. Remove the sandwich, slice it in half diagonally, and serve. Variations: Add a slice of Avocado; Sub Arugula for Lettuce, Sub smoked salmon for bacon, Add sliced hard boiled egg, sub roasted red pepper for the tomato, sub pesto for mayo.

Pizza Waffles

Pizza Waffles

Pizza Waffles

1 package crescent rolls (8 pieces)
1 1/3 C. mozzarella cheese
pepperoni (or your favorite pizza toppings)
pizza sauce for dipping

Preheat waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Unroll crescent rolls. You will have 8 triangles. Pinch seams to connect 2 triangles so you form 4 rectangles. Place 1/3 C. mozzarella cheese and pepperoni in each rectangle. Fold over and pinch to seal all sides. Repeat with remaining sections. Place each piece of dough on the preheated waffle iron. Close and cook 5 minutes or until browned. Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping.

Mexican Cauliflower Chili Scramble

Mexican Cauliflower Chili Scramble

Mexican Cauliflower Chili Scramble

Olive oil cooking spray
½ head cauliflower, grated on the large side of a box grater (about 3 cups yield)
2 tablespoons minced onion
½ cup small-diced red bell pepper (about 1 medium pepper)
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup crushed tomatoes
Salt
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup very small broccoli florets
12 large egg whites or 1 pint of liquid egg whites
1 avocado, cut into bite-size chunks

Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until browned; transfer to a bowl. Add the onion, bell pepper, cumin, chili powder and garlic powder to the skillet and cook until the onion and bell pepper have softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until the mixture is soft and thick. Add the cauliflower, season with salt and red pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Transfer the vegetable “chili” to a bowl. Wipe the skillet clean, lightly coat again with cooking spray, and place over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg whites and cook, scrambling them, about 2 minutes. Season. Spoon the eggs and cauliflower chili onto four plates; top with avocado and serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 185
Fat: 5.5g
Fiber: 7g

Club Salad

Club Salad

Club Salad

2 slices deli turkey, cut into ribbons
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 slice crumbled bacon
2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
1 tablespoon low-fat mayo (or other under 50 calorie dressing)

Toss lettuce with mayo or dressing and arrange on plate. Top with remaining ingredients. Serve with 5 pita chips for 245 calories.

Skinny Welsh Rarebit

Skinny Welsh Rarebit

Skinny Welsh Rarebit

4 slices Crusty Wheat Bread, Toasted
2 T. Butter
2T. flour
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup beer
1 tsp. dry mustard heaping
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 whole egg yolks
fresh chives Chopped

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk together until combined. Cook for about 2 minutes. Pour in milk and beer, whisking constantly and cook another minute. Add mustard, paprika and cayenne and whisk. Add cheese and continue to whisk slowly, cooking and whisking until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat, whisk in egg yolk and serve over crusty bread. Top with chives for garnish.

Skewered Buffalo Mozzarella Parcels

Skewered Buffalo Mozzarella Parcels

Skewered Buffalo Mozzarella Parcels

Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, crushed
Rosemary Sticks, for skewers
Ciabatta bread, cut or torn into small pieces
Buffalo Mozzarella, cut or torn into pieces the same size as the bread
Smoked Pancetta
Arugula
Lemon Juice

Add garlic to olive oil in bowl along with a few rosemary leaves. Toss bread and mozzarella in bread and let marinate for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Take 1 piece bread and 1 piece mozzarella and stack them on each other. Wrap a piece of pancetta around them and push onto a rosemary stalk. Repeat until its mostly full (probably about 4 balls per skewer). Preheat grill while you finish for all bread and mozzarella. Grill for 5-6 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden. Squeeze lemon into bowl that held the olive oil, cheese and bread, and whisk it. Add arugula and toss with your hands to lightly coat. Place arugula on plate, top with skewer and enjoy.