Cucumber Sandwich

 I recently was putting together basic turkey sandwiches for my kids when I realized that I was out of my typical green addition, which is usually spinach and sometimes lettuce. While staring dumbfounded in the fridge, I spotted some cucumbers and went with it. After school my littlest one told me several times that she just loved cucumbers on her sandwich. So a Cucumber Sandwiches it is!

The original Cucumber Sandwich comes from Great Britain and comes on very thin bread that has a very thin layer of butter to prevent the bread from getting soggy by the cucumber. The inspiration for this sandwich is the American version which uses cream cheese instead of butter and crusts may remain on, because America can be rebellious like that. I am even going so far as to use a bagel because I am rebellious like that. Sometimes I love traditions, and sometimes I love to break tradition.

Cucumber Sandwich

for the benedictine spread-

• 2 pickling cucumbers, shredded and squeezed dry using paper towels
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (I use light)
• 1/2 onion powder
• 1 T mayo

Zip all 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, place in a small container and return to refrigerator until ready to use.

Sandwich-

per sandwich

• Whole Wheat Bagel Thins
• 2 T. Benedictine spread
• 1 pickling cucumber
• pinch of dill weed
• salt and pepper

Spread Benedictine spread on both sides of bagel, top with sliced cucumber, then dill weed and salt and pepper. Best results when made the night before and refrigerated over night.

** Because this sandwich is so light, I like to add a boiled egg to the lunch box on Cucumber Sandwich days.

Jalapeño Popper Sandwich

I am so excited to share this tastey sandwich. Obviously this one might not be for the young ones but the cream cheese tames the jalapeño so it's not too spicey for my family. And the bacon... oh the bacon. The moderation... why do we have to moderate? Using light cream cheese and only 2 slices of bacon makes this sandwich come in at 8 grams of fat and 190 calories. On days like this, the rest of the space in the lunch box is filled with fruits and veggies only.

Jalapeño Popper Sandwich

• 8 oz light spreadable cream cheese
• Jalapeño, 3-4 to taste, canned or roasted, diced
•  bacon
• whole wheat bagel thin

Make the cream cheese spread in advance by dicing jalapeño's and stirring into cream cheese and returning the mix to the cream cheese container and returning to the refridgerator. This will make enough jalapeño cream cheese for about 8 sandwiches. Per sandwich, spread about 2 Tablespoons cream cheese mix on bagel, top with 2 slices of bacon, top and wrap to send off to lunch.

Peanut Butter and Black Grape Bagel

My husband goes through food phases, as I assume we all do. His latest is Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and black grapes. Not together though, just so you know. But hmmmm... I'll have to ponder that one.

This sandwich just makes sense. If peanut butter and grape jelly works, why not peanut butter and grapes?

Grapes are quite nutritious.  Grapes contain a large variety of nutrients, and are particularly rich in minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, as well as vitamin C. In addition, grapes are very rich in antioxidants, one particularly beneficial antioxidant is resveratrol, which helps prevent a number of dangerous health conditions but most importantly it slows down the aging process.

Please pass the black grapes!

Peanut Butter and Black Grape Bagel

makes 1, easily multiplied

1 bagel (I used whole wheat bagel thins)

Peanut butter, or any nut butter of choice

7-8 black grapes, halved

Spread peanut butter on both sides of the bagel, top with halved grapes and combine.

Strawberry and Cheese Spread

Why not have crackers and a cheese spread as the main dish in the lunch box? No really, hear me out.

A Grilled Cheese Sandwich is simply bread and cheese and it works.

Crackers = Bread

Cheese Spread= Cheese slice

See?

This is inspired by a Southern Living recipe.

Strawberry and Cheese Spread

• 8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• a dash of salt and pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• Strawberry Jam (I used Smucker's Simply Fruit)
• Crackers (I used Kashi's Stoneground 7 grain party crackers)

Stir together cheese, mayo, onion and spices, until incorporated. Then add walnuts. Spread a thin layer of cheese spread in individual container and top with a couple of spoonfuls of strawberry jam.

Or....

If you dare, make this into a sandwich using a bagel. It may not be the prettiest, but it is mighty tasty!

Veggie Bagel

My little one in elementary school has been begging me to make this for her lunch. It's inspired by PW's Veggie and Cheese Bagel but it's been changed a little to make it a little healthier, quicker to make and more lunch box friendly. Instead of avocado I used store bought guacamole so it wouldn't turn brown before the lunch bell rang.

Here is the lowdown-

Veggie Bagel

•  bagel thins (I used Toufayan's smartbagel)
• Chive and Onion spreadable cream cheese (I used Philadelphia's 1/3 less fat)
• Guacamole (the most natural you can find)
• cucumber
• spinach
• alfalfa sprouts
• tomato
• 2 slices of cheese (I used 1 cheddar and 1 baby swiss)

Spread cream cheese on one side and the guacamole on the other. Sandwich everything else, to taste, in between.