Paese Mio Black Olive Paté $4.99 | Lg Cotton Waffle dish towel $29.99
Summertime is in full effect over here! We’ve been spending countless hours outside soaking up the sun and marching to the beat of our own drums. When you’re out and about having fun, it can be challenging to make it home in time to get dinner on the go. And I’ve got to admit, my meals, for the most part have been thrown together at the last minute. While I’d love to spin you a different tale…one that involves forethought, planning and seamless execution, that simply hasn’t been the case over here!
Realistically, our lifestyle isn’t likely to change. We love to live spontaneously and see where the day takes us. Which means, I need to find a way to get a nutritious dinner on the table in a pinch. Ideally, I’m searching for recipes that can be tweaked to cater to the many changing taste buds in this house; Something that doesn’t require turning on the oven; And something that comes together quickly and easily. Ands guys, I found the perfect solution! INTRODUCING…DINNER SANDWICHES!
Sm herringbone plate $12.99 (on sale for additional 30% off) | Block print tea towel (set of 2) $29.99
I don’t know how I overlooked sandwiches for dinner for so long. They’re easy for the littles to eat and can be personalized to meet everyone’s dietary needs, plus, they hit the spot just right on a hot sunny day! Sandwiches can be thrown together at the last minute, or elements of them can be carefully planned and made ahead of time. They can be served hot or cold. They never get boring. And they are a great way to use up leftovers in the fridge. They check all the boxes and more.
This first sandwich is a hit with the whole family and can be made in advance. Which, in my opinion, ranks it the highest. It’s a super flavourful Chicken Salad Sandwich. It’s very easy to make, especially if you cheat like me and use leftover rotisserie chicken from the grocery store!
Chicken Salad
2 x boneless skinless chicken breasts (chopped)
1 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt (I used half of each)
1 TBSP mustard (I used Rootham’s Champagne mustard)
2 x diced celery stalks
½ cup diced red onion
1 cup of quartered red grapes
2 TBSP chopped parsley
1 TBSP lemon juice
Salt n pepper to taste
- Dried cranberries
- Diced apples
- Chopped tarragon
- Green onion
- Toasted almonds or walnuts
Striped tea towel w tassels $19.99
Sm herringbone plate $12.99 (on sale for additional 30% off)
This next sandwich is a Garden Vegetable Sandwich. It is vegetarian and could easily be made vegan with the right bread choice and by substituting hummus for cream cheese.
Assorted produce - prices vary
Our family is not vegetarian, but we try to have plenty of meatless meals in our weekly rotations. This sandwich is pretty basic, but I feel like it’s often overlooked. Which is a shame because it is just so refreshing!
It is simply a mix of garden veggies, avocado and sprouts with cream cheese on fresh bread. For this one, good bread is crucial. Stop in at Anna’s for freshly baked loaves from Greenheart and Iron Kettle on Tuesdays & Fridays 😊.
I’m not going to bother with a recipe for this one as it’s pretty simple. But I will offer a couple of tips!
1. After slicing your tomatoes, salt them and let them rest in between paper towel for a few minutes. This help help draw out some of the juiciness and save your bread from getting soggy.
Beefsteak tomatoes $4.00 per quart/$5 per basket
2. Put a layer of ripe avocado in between the veggies to help stick them together. This will help hold your sandwich together as you eat it.
Vine tomatoes $4.00
Ok, lets move onto my personal favourite. This Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich is elevated with crispy onions and champagne mustard.
Rootham's Champagne Mustard $9.00 | Queens Premium Crispy Onions $7.00
It's crunchy texture and salty flavour are a winning combination. Plus, it is served hot, which makes it feel more like a dinnertime meal. This can be made with leftover ham, or you can use ham-steaks or lunchmeat too. But I like to fry the ham in the pan first to get it nice and hot. I used a mix aged cheddar (for its strong flavour) and marble (for its melting qualities). I put cheese on both pieces of bread, with ham in the middle. I added the crispy onions afterward.
This last sandwich basically takes elements of a charcuterie board and puts them between bread. I know, brilliant, right?! Charcuterie Sandwich!
Paese Mio Black Olive Paté $4.99 | Lg Cotton Waffle dish towel $29.99
Deli meats such as prosciutto, salami or capocollo work well for this. Then layer in some peppery arugula, creamy brie cheese and olive tapenade or any other spread that you think would compliment the flavours. Some other suggestions are this caramelized onion chutney or roasted red pepper spread.
The options are really endless. You can take this sandwich in any direction you prefer.
Rootham caramelized onion chutney $9.00 | Wildly Roasted Red Pepper & Feta dip $10.00 | Paese Mio Black Olive Paté $4.99
Drizzle the arugula with a balsamic glaze, add a roasted red pepper spread to the bread. The only limit is your imagination! (and what’s in the fridge, of course). One thing I will say is that this sandwich is best served on something crusty like a nice ciabatta or a sliced baguette. One that can withstand the chewiness of the salami. 😘
There are so many options for dinner sandwiches. From grilled Reubens & beef dips to pulled pork and more. I tried to highlight some that may be a little less popular, but delicious, nonetheless.
So, the next time you’re short on time and in need of a tasty meal, give one of these easy & scrumptious sandwiches a try, you won’t be let down. And if you have any to recommend, I’d love to try your recipes too!
Until next week, cheers friends!
