APPLE ALMOND CHICKEN SALAD

I don't like the chicken salad from Costco--large chunks of chicken, too large pieces of grapes and/or craisins and way too much dressing. There--I said it. If you like it we are still friends! My wonderful friend Brooke came up with this recipe for a bridal shower a few years ago and it is a favorite at our house. I frequently make it to keep in the fridge so my hubby can make his own lunch!! Good idea, no?

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  (or skip this step and used canned chicken--I don't like)
Place breasts in a pan and cover with 2-3 inches of water. Add:
   1 stick of celery--cut into a few pieces
    1/2 of a medium onion, cut into chunks
    a few mini-carrots
    salt
    pepper

Bring the chicken to a boil and turn heat to simmer. Cook for 30-40 minutes until chicken is tender.  Remove the chicken from the broth and let cool. Discard the broth or save it for a recipe that needs chicken broth. It's tasty. Make sure it has enough salt.  Shred chicken.

Add:

equal parts of mayonnaise and sour cream
  Amount determined by how much dressing you like
One medium apple, peeled and diced small or grated
1/2 c. slivered almonds (or pine nuts, walnuts or pecans)
2-3 diced green onion--diced very small
salt and pepper to taste

Optional add ins:
  Diced celery
  Diced red pepper

Mix altogether with shredded chicken. Refrigerate and serve on croissant rolls, or any good sandwich bread. Is good with crackers or on celery sticks also.

SCRAMBLED EGG SANDWICH WITH AVOCADO AND GRUYERE

I am not an egg lover! There--I said it. To eat eggs, they have to be disguised so as not to taste like--well, eggs! I've been trying all summer to eat better and especially eat a better breakfast. We have an upcoming wedding and we don't want to be the "chubby parents" in the photos.  This has become one of my favorites. I absolutely LOVE Gruyere cheese and I could bathe in cilantro (well, maybe not really).  You can make all sorts of substitutions for this sandwich--this recipe is definitely not rocket science!! I usually can't eat both of these--I give one to my husband! He LOVES eggs!!

Cooking spray

4 eggs
1 tbsp milk
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
2 pieces of bread, toasted & buttered (I prefer 9 grain or or honey wheat)

2 slices Gruyere cheese (or other cheese of your choice)
Avocado, sliced

Cilantro

Heat the cooking spray in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk the eggs together with the milk, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Pour in the egg mixture. Constantly fold the egg mixture from the bottom of the pan to the top. This will keep it from overcooking and the middle section will stay soft and fluffy. Do this constantly for 1 or 2 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your liking.

Meanwhile, place your bread into the toaster and toast; butter the toast when finished. Immediately lay the slices of Gruyere cheese on the hot buttered bread slices. Slice the avocado into slices.

Layer the scrambled egg on top of the buttered  toast and cheese followed by slices of avocado.  Sprinkle with cilantro if you love it.  Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

Crock Pot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

I saw this recipe a few months ago on The Girl Who Ate Everything, and I have been meaning to try it ever since.  I finally remembered to buy some chicken thighs (my new favorite kind of chicken!) and the dressing that I needed.  Talk about easy and yummy.  Perfect for this time of year when there are recitals/concerts/parties/family activities every night of the month.

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup (or more) Caesar dressing (I used Cardini's)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tsp. dried)
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper (I used more)
Romaine lettuce
slider buns or rolls

*Place chicken in crock pot on low with a cup or two of water.  Cook 5-6 hours until done.  Take out chicken and drain water from crock pot.  Shred chicken on cutting board and then put back in crock pot.  Add dressing (as much as you like), Parmesan, parsley and pepper.  Mix well and cook for another 30-60 minutes.  You can turn it up to high if you need it to heat up quick.  Serve on warm buns/rolls with a little more Parmesan and some lettuce.

Costco Pesto Sandwich

I named this the Costco sandwich because I bought all of the ingredients at Costco.  If you don't live by a Costco, you can still find these ingredients at most grocery stores.  Good pesto is hard to find, but it's also easy to make.  Don't you just love the smell of Pesto?  I can't get enough of it.  It's right up there with baby lotion and new car smell.

I really love hot sandwiches...especially when they involve pesto and melted mozzarella.  I made these for lunch one day and then dinner the next day.

Torta sandwich rolls
roma tomatoes, sliced
BelGioioso fresh mozzarella
Kirkland fresh basil pesto
Tellicherry pepper

*Cut sandwich rolls in half and lay on a cookie sheet.  Spread pesto generously on each side.  Put a layer of tomatoes and then grind pepper over them.  Slice off some mozzarella and layer over tomatoes. Broil in oven until cheese is melted and bread is toasty.  You can do all open-faced sandwiches or use the other half of the roll on top.  Serve while nice and hot.

turkey, avacado and cheddar sandwich

my latest obsession has been a turkey sandwich that my friend bonnie introduced me to. there's nothing too fancy about it. the secret is the dressing...

toasted bread

turkey (i prefer Columbus from Trader Joes)
cheddar (i prefer Tilamook)
avacado
Briannas poppy seed dressing
*other toppings of your choice

put it all together and its declicious! Trader Joe's hawaiian style potato chips go great with it!

Grilled Ham and Brie

I have always loved a hot sandwich.

Toasted bread and melted cheese...sign me up.

This one is so simple and so tasty at the same time.

Bread of your choice (I used cracked wheat)
butter, softened
apricot fruit spread
deli sliced ham
Brie cheese, sliced

*Spread apricot jam (I love Simply Fruit by Smucker's) on two slices of bread.  Top with ham and Brie.  Put sandwich together and butter the outsides.  Grill on the stove on low heat until toasty.  Serve with tomato soup or whatever suits your fancy.

*Recipe from a magazine.

Father's Day Sandwich

Doesn't this look like something a guy would love to eat?

We had these last night and I have to say that I loved them, too.

I am a sucker for a steak and cheese sandwich with lots of onions and peppers.

Definitely a winner in the summer since you don't have to turn on your oven.

your favorite steak, sliced into thin pieces

Lawry's seasoning salt

1 onion, sliced

1 green pepper, sliced

provolone cheese slices

sandwich rolls

butter

worcestershire sauce

tabasco sauce

*Melt 2-3 Tbs. of butter in a large saucepan on stove. Brown onion and green pepper slices until nice and golden. Remove onto a plate. Melt a couple more Tbs. of butter and brown your steak that you have seasoned. (I used a really thin sirloin tip steak). Add some worcestershire (maybe 1/4 cup) and a few drops of tabasco while cooking. Cook until done and then add back in the onions and peppers. Meanwhile, butter your sandwich roll halves and brown them on another pan until golden brown. Add steak mixture and a couple slices of cheese to each roll.

Roast Beef Au Jus

I was talking to my friend, Jen, the other day and she told me about these sandwiches.

She said they were easy and yummy, and that's what we're all looking for, are we not?

We tried them out for dinner tonight and she was telling the truth on both accounts.

roast beef, sliced thin (Sprouts has good roast beef)

dinner rolls, cut in half

onions, sliced and sauteed

provolone or swiss, sliced

Au Jus gravy mix (in a packet)

*Saute sliced onion in some butter. Set aside. Make Au Jus sauce according to package directions. Set aside. Slice dinner rolls in half and place sliced roast beef and cheese on one half. Broil in oven until cheese is melted and empty rolls are golden brown. Add onions, put other half of roll on top and dip in sauce to eat.

Turkey pesto sandwiches

1 loaf cibatta bread

deli-sliced turkey

tomatoes, sliced

pepper jack cheese, sliced

pesto

mayo

*Slice cibatta loaf in half and then into wedges. Mix mayo and pesto until you like the way it tastes. Spread on bread and then layer with turkey, tomato and pepper jack cheese.

Broil in oven until cheese is melted.

Sweet Ham Sandwiches

This recipe comes from Heidi (Clouse) Allen; a culinary expert and caterer extraordinaire. I had these at a bridal shower and it was love at first bite.

white rolls or potato rolls

deli-sliced honey ham

provolone cheese slices

Sauce:

1 can crushed pineapple, drained well (save juice)

3/4 cup mayo

2 Tbs. brown sugar

little bit of pineapple juice

*Mix really well and then assemble sandwich with a generous spoonful of sauce.

PULLED PORK SANDWICH

I got this recipe a long time ago from a Tyler Florence Food TV episode and I changed it a little. His marinade seemed a little bitter so I just made a few changes. We love this and it's so great to have as leftovers.

4-5 lbs boneless pork shoulder

2 T. kosher salt
1 T. black pepper
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. paprika
1/2 T. thyme (or 2-3 sprigs fresh, leaves only)
4 cloves garlic
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
Scant 1 T. cayenne pepper
3 T. virgin olive oil

Place salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, thyme, garlic, vinegar and cayenne in a food processor and pulse until combined. Add olive oil until you have a nice paste. Rub all over the pork, being sure to it into the nooks so the salt can penetrate the meat well. Place in a zip lock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight (preferred).

Allow the meat to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Place the pork in a roasting pan fitted with a rack insert. I place aluminum foil under the rack for easier clean-up. Roast the pork for 3 1/2 hours uncovered at 325 degrees. The outside will get crispy-brown and will look like mahogany. Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve on Kaiser rolls or sliced Ciabatta rolls. Delicious with a side of coleslaw**

**We actually like to put coleslaw on top of the meat in the sandwich. Sounds weird, I know but is really yummy (if you like coleslaw)!

Caprese Sandwiches

I got this recipe off a really cute recipe blog called "Hold the Onions." The blog was created by the Bradshaw girls and their mom. They have some really good recipes and fun menu ideas. The address is www.pleaseholdtheonions.blogspot.com
1 loaf ciabatta bread

1 small jar basil pesto

2 large tomatoes

1 pkg. mozzarella slices

*Cut loaf of bread in 3 inch sections and then cut those in half. Place on cookie sheet, face up. Spread pesto on each slice of bread. Place 2 slices of tomato and some mozzarella on top. Broil in oven until cheese is melted and gets a little golden.

*The original recipe says to make these into sandwiches, with bread on top, and then grill them in a pan with a little olive oil, like a grilled cheese. You can place a heavy pan on the sandwich while grilling to make it flatter.

*I bought all the ingredients at Fresh and Easy...a.k.a. my new favorite place.

Cashew Chicken Salad

1 can chicken or 1 cup chopped, cooked chicken

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup cashews, chopped

1/2 cup red apple, chopped

1/2 cup red, seedless grapes, halved

1/2 cup mayo

1 Tbsp. dry Ranch dressing mix

*Mix all ingredients well and serve on croissants.

Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

These delicious sandwiches are perfect for parties and showers. My husband loves them so I make them often for dinner. Very easy and very good! Even good as leftovers the next day!

1 package Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (I buy the wheat ones)
1 package thin sliced honey ham
1 package sliced swiss cheese
1 cube butter
2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Slice rolls in half and place 2 pieces of ham on each. Tear cheese slices into 4 squares and then place 2 squares on each sandwich. Close sandwich and place them in 9x13 pan. Melt cube of butter then add Worcestershire sauce and poppy seeds and stir. Spoon sauce over sandwiches. Bake covered at 350 for 20 min. Uncover and bake 5 more min.