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.

Hawaiian Sandwich

Aloha!

(that is a lonely pineapple piece at the bottom of the bread on the left)

I just polished off one of these sandwiches and it is a keeper! The cream cheese (pineapple flavored) makes it perfect for a lunch box. It prevents soggy bread which between the pineapple and bbq sauce, is bound to happen otherwise.

I do add spinach to the sandwich because I add it to everything. Except maybe a pb&j.

Hawaiian Sandwich

what you need:

• Sandwich Thins
• grilled chicken breast, cut into strips
• bbq sauce
• provolone cheese
• pineapple cream cheese (you can make your own using this recipe)
• spinach (optional)

what you do:

Spread cream cheese on both slices of bread. Sandwich Thins work best but it's worth a try with your favorite bread choice. Place spinach, if using, on one side. Add provolone. Toss chicken in bbq sauce, use just enough to coat chicken, but not too much. About 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons. Top with other bread slice that has also been spread with pineapple cream cheese. Wrap it up.

 (I like to wrap these types of busier sandwiches with plastic wrap and then foil) and toss it in the lunch box.

Nutella, Cream Cheese & Strawberry Bagel Sandwich

Heaven in a Lunch Box was another name I considered for this sandwich. This is beyond delicious! And true, not the most nutritious by any means but on special occasions (like my children will be testing all day today and all week) maybe I can justify a little Nutella. Besides, Strawberries are known to remove harmful toxins from our bodies, so maybe this one time.....

Aw heck, why am I trying to justify this sandwich?! It's delicious! You don't have to make it if you don't wanna, but if you decide to, you won't be disappointed! I try to make sure my family eats lots of healthy foods, and I am much more determined to have us eating lots of fruits and veggies than I am determined to not let them eat a treat.

There you have it. Lorinda's philosophy on food. Eat lots of good healthy nutrient filled foods and a little bit that is just for pleasure.

And strawberries are a super food- very, very good for you! Did you know that strawberries are higher in Vitamin C than oranges? And oranges always get the Vitamin C credit. Ain't that how it goes?

Nutella, Cream Cheese & Strawberry Bagel Sandwich

• Nutella, or any brand of Hazelnut Spread, about 1 teaspoon
• Whipped Spreadable Cream Cheese, about 1 strawberry, sliced
• Bagel Thin

Spread Nutella on the top part of the bagel and the whipped cream cheese on the other side. Add sliced strawberries to the cream cheese side and top with the Nutella covered bagel half. Wrap and add to lunch box knowing that you have just made one very happy lunch box recipient!