The Triple Decker

I am not thinking this picture is showing off the three slices of bread, but that is what this Triple Decker sandwich has. Does it make a difference? I say, YES!

I used Pepperidge Farm Very Thin 100% whole wheat. If I were packing lunch for my boys, I would probably do a regular bread, but since this sandwich was for my girls, I went very thin.

The Triple Decker

3 slices of bread

(and then you choose), I used:

sliced turkey

cheese

turkey bacon

lettuce

tomato

mayo

mustard

Layer it up, wrap it up, and pack it! (because you don't really need directions on how to put it together, do you?)

Enjoy!

Egg Salad, Salsa and Cheddar Sandwich

I made this for my high schooler because eggs, salsa and cheddar cheese are her 3 favorite foods. When she came home she said, "I opened my lunch box and looked at the sandwich, everyone at the lunch table looked at it in disgust and I told them that 'I think my mom has pushed it too far this time'. But then I took a bite... and boy was it good!"

If you or your kids love eggs, salsa and cheese too, I hope you'll give this one a try. I don't even love those foods (but I like them a lot) and I enjoyed this sandwich.

Egg Salad, Salsa and Cheddar Sandwich

• 2 boiled eggs
• 1-2 tsp mayo (just enough for the egg to bind)
• a spoonful of salsa
• 1 slice of cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper
• whole wheat or multi-grain hamburger bun

Take a fork to the boiled eggs and mash. Add just enough mayo for the eggs to bind. Add salt and pepper. Put slice of cheese on bread. Add about half the egg mixture, then top with salsa, then add the rest of the egg. This is to prevent the salsa from making the bread soggy.

sandwich tip-  actually 2 eggs make this quite a bit of filling and 1 egg isn't quite enough, so three eggs should make 2 sandwiches perfectly. but that may be a matter of preference.

5 Layer Dip

A 5 Layer Dip (or a 7 Layer Dip, if that's how many layers your recipe has) can easily take the place of a sandwich in a lunch box. Especially if you have the right sized container to make the right amount of dip. My containers hold 8 ounces which is "a gracious plenty" (as my mother-in-law says) for my children.

A 5 Layer Dip for a lunch box is a great thing to make when you are already making the dip for an event but it's also easy to make after any Mexican dinner night, when you already have these ingredients on hand.

If you don't already have your own favorite recipe and would like to try my simplified version, here goes-

5 Layer Dip

refried beans

guacamole

sour cream, with a little taco seasoning mixed in

shredded cheese

salsa

Evenly spread each item in order on a container. Serve with chips.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

Fall is so close I can taste it! No really, I can, because I decided I was baking something Pumpkin, even if we aren't technically there!

This recipe is so easy and yet so delicious. You can stick it in a lunch box or have as an after-school snack. It will be a winner either way.

And know that you are serving something with great health benefits!

Pumpkin is low in fat and calories and rich in disease-fighting nutrients such as:

• Alpha-carotene
• Beta-carotene
• Fiber
• Vitamins C and E
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Pantothenic acid

Make sure to use dark chocolate, to add even more health benefits.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In large mixing bowl add Spice Cake mix and add can of pumpkin. Stir until well incorporated. Add chocolate chips and stir. Spray a 9 X 9 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

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.

Chopped Veggie Roll Ups

What inspired me to make these roll ups is this pizza that my children love, it is served cold with a cream cheese spread and chopped veggies on top. Anything they love for dinner is something I consider to tweak for their lunch box. I'd say this tweak absolutely worked and it filled my children up with good veggies, just like I try to do.

You will want to use the vegetables your child will eat. I used zucchini, red bell pepper, carrots, yellow squash, cucumber and broccoli and my kids said it was missing cauliflower. I mix a tub of the cream cheese spread to use now and later, you can spread plain cream cheese on the wrap and top with the dill weed and garlic powder, instead of mixing all at one.

Chopped Veggie Roll Ups

8 oz. tub of spreadable light cream cheese

1 tsp. dill weed

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Whole wheat tortilla or Flat Out bread

a handful of your child's favorite veggies, chopped

Mix cream cheese, dill weed ad garlic powder in cream cheese container. Save rest for later. Spread onto spread (about 2 Tbsp. if using Flat Out), then top with chopped vegetables. Roll up and wrap up.



SO: Grilled Tomato, Basil and Cheese Sandwich

Today I am starting a new section of recipes, SO stands for School's Out.

When school is out, lunch still must be made, but there are more options. Case and point: Grilled Cheese. But this isn't your ordinary Grilled Cheese, this tastes garden fresh. Inspired by one of my favorite sandwiches on Lorinda's Lunch Box Lowdown that was inspired by one of my favorite salads, the Caprese Salad- The Grilled Tomato Basil and Cheese Sandwich.

Grilled Tomato Basil and Cheese Sandwich

2 slices of whole wheat bread

2 slices of mozzarella cheese

2-3 slices of tomato

3-4  chiffonade, basil leaves

cooking spray

Spray griddle, add slice of bread, then cheese, tomato and basil. Top with other slice of cheese. Toast until bread is golden brown, then flip sandwich. Toast other side. Enjoy warm off the griddle!

Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

I love Caeser Salad for it's simplicity and yet bold taste. I have not yet made my own dressing from scratch but as I was preparing this wrap I decided I must do so and soon. It is so simple to assemble your own salad and now you can buy a kit and add your own chicken. All of these reasons is why it's such a great idea for a lunch box.

Chicken Caeser Salad Wrap

• romaine lettuce
• parmesan cheese
• chicken, diced or sliced
• caesar dressing
• Flat Out

Layer each ingredient in the middle of the wrap and roll and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Breakfast English Muffin Sandwich

We all love Breakfast for Dinner, so why not some Breakfast for Lunch? Am I right or am I right?

The store bought English Muffins of today (such as Thomas' brand) are so moist and delicious, they don't have to be toasted, they taste great right out of the package. And because a fried egg hardly seems an option for a lunch box I used a boiled egg in it's place. I would prefer ham to make this more Egg McMuffin like, but my high schooler always chooses turkey over ham.

Breakfast English Muffin Sandwich

• 1 English Muffin (I used Thomas' wheat)
• 1 slice sharp cheddar
• 2-3 slices ham or turkey
• 1 boiled egg
• mayo and/or mustard
• pepper

Layer cheese, meat and egg on mustard and/or mayo smothered English muffin. Dust with a little pepper, the meat should have plenty of salt. Enjoy!



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.

Cheesy Tuna Sandwich

Tuna is a great source of the infamous OMEGA 3. Omega 3 can help with a list of things. As a matter of fact, here is a list from this site.

* They can help to increase your energy level.

* Might prevent certain types of cancer

* Improve your sleep

* Reduce inflammation

* Improve muscle recovery from trauma

* Help with arthritis.

* Provide lubrication to the skin, arteries, veins and intestinal tract.

* Help to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

* Help to improve concentration

* Benefit for diseases like: Alzheimer’s, depression and many other cognitively impaired situations.

* Reduces high blood pressure and lowers cholesterol.

* Might improve the healing capability for various health problems.

* Can improve constipation.

In other words, tuna fish sandwiches are a great lunch box choice. Here is a tuna fish sandwich recipe that's a little different from the basic. Switching things up a bit is always fun and keeps things from being ho-hum.

 Cheesy Tuna Sandwich

makes 2-3 sandwiches, depending

•  2 5oz. cans of tuna, in water
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I use colby jack)
• 2 heaping Tablespoons of mayo (I used light)
• bread
• Spinach (optional)

In a bowl, add drained tuna, cheese, mayo and salt and pepper. Mix well. Can be used on almost any bread choice or even placed in small container with lid and sent to school with crackers.   

Onion Sandwiches

Oh yes I did!

I grew up believing that I didn't like onions because my family didn't, but turns out I love them. But that is not why I had to try this tasty sandwich, because frankly I'd never heard of it until I read this beautiful book called Heaven to Betsy. May I share with you the part in the book about the Onion Sandwich?

  Sunday Night Lunch was an institution at the Ray house. They never called it supper; and they scorned folks who called it tea. The drink of the evening was coffee, which Mrs. Ray loved, and although Betsy and Margaret still took cocoa, their loyalty was to coffee for her sake.

The meal was prepared by Mr Ray. This was a custom of many years standing. No one else was allowed in the kitchen except in the role of admiring audience. He didn't object when Anna (the hired girl) or Mrs. Ray made a cake earlier in the day; he didn't mind the girls putting cloth on the dining room table. But in the kitchen on Sunday evenings he was supreme.First he put the coffee on..... He got a wooden bread board, and a sharp knife which he always proceeded to sharpen further. He sliced the bread in sensibly thick slices and he never cut off the crusts. Mr. Ray's opinion of sandwiches without crusts matched Mrs. Ray's opinion of tea on Sunday nights. The butter had been put to soften, and now around the breadboard he ranged everything he could find in the ice box. Sometimes there was a cold roast beef, sometimes chicken, sometimes cheese. If nothing else was available he made his sandwiches of onions. He used slices of mild Bermuda onions, sprinkled with vinegar and dusted with pepper and salt. About the use of pepper and salt Mr Ray had very positive ideas. He used his condiments with the care and precision of a gourmet. Not too much! Not too little! And spread so evenly that each bite had the heavenly seasoning of the one before.

"I'm not," he used to say with sedate pride, "the sort of sandwich maker who puts salt and pepper all in one place with a shovel. No, siree!" And then he would add, for emphasis, "No siree, BOB!"The onion sandwiches were most popular of all with the boys who flocked to the Ray house.

Mr. Ray didn't mind company for Sunday Night Lunch; in fact, he liked it. The larger the audience, the more skill and ingenuity he displayed in his sandwich combinations. Tall, black haired, big-nosed, benevolent, an apron tied around his widening middle, he perched on a stool in the pantry with assorted guests all around the house.The guests were of all ages...... Old and young gathered in the dining room around the table beneath the hanging lamp. The big platter of sandwiches was placed in the center. A cake sat on one side, a dish of pickles on the other. There was a simmering pot of steaming coffee, of course; but the sandwiches were king of the meal.

Without further ado- may I share with you this Heavens to Betsy/James Beard inspired Onion Sandwich-

(because the vinegar added in Mr Ray's sandwich wouldn't hold out too well in a lunch box, and neither would James Beard's parsley rimmed sandwiches)

Onion Sandwich

1 sandwich thin

thinly sliced onion (I always prefer Vidalia)

mayo

dried parsley

salt and pepper

Spread both bread slices with mayo. Sprinkle parsley on both sides. Add thinly sliced onion and add salt and pepper but not all in one place with a shovel, as Mr Ray warned!

Huevos Rancheros Wrap

I still have about a dozen dyed eggs left to use. How about you?

Once upon a time there was a real big egg scare. They blamed the yolk for causing high cholesterol. All of a sudden it was the food to avoid. I am so glad that fad is over. (and don't get me started on my food fad frustrations) Now it is said that you can have 1 whole egg without any cholesterol issues.

And they are good for you.

This wrap was listed as a breakfast idea here and is another great way to use those Easter eggs and fill the those lunch boxes. I made one minor change.

Huevos Rancheros Wrap

• 1 whole wheat tortilla (fajita sized)
• 1 Laughing Cow wedge (I used the Queso Fresco & Chipotle)
• 1 slice of ham
• 1 boiled egg sliced
• 1 T salsa

Layer ham, cheese, egg and salsa on tortilla. Roll up and wrap. Would be even better with guacamole and refried beans added.

Boiled Egg Dogs

This recipe has all the ingredients as an egg salad sandwich- boiled egg, relish, mayo and bread, but (as I always say) these easy changes does switch up the taste a lot. (It's a ratio thing)

Boiled Egg Dog

serves 1

• 1 boiled egg
• relish
• mayo
• salt & pepper
• hot dog bun

Peel and quarter boiled egg. Spread mayo on bun, add egg and relish to taste and sprinkle with salt & pepper.

The first time I sent this in my children's lunch boxes, my high schooler came home and said, "I don't know what that was in my lunch box, but it was good!"

Bacon & Boiled Egg Sandwich

This sandwich makes me speechless. I don't know what to say other than, bacon and boiled egg? It had to be done.

Bacon & Boiled Egg Sandwich

makes 1

• 2 boiled eggs (or 1 egg plus 1 egg white)
• 2 t. mayo (I always use light)
• 1/4 t. bacon salt
• 1 T. bacon crumbles (you choose- turkey bacon, veggie bacon or regular)
• 2 slices bread

Crumble eggs with a fork and add mayo, bacon salt and bacon. Place between 2 slices of bread.

Be prepared for your kids to come home and say, "My friend was wondering if you would make them a sandwich tomorrow."

It really happens. Especially after a sandwich like this.

Would you like to join me in trying homemade dyes for your Easter Eggs this year? Click HERE.

Would you like to know which egg boiling trick I have had the most success with? Click HERE.



Tuna & Egg Salad Sandwich

This week all of the recipes I post will call for boiled eggs, which I think it perfect since we will probably all have a dozen or two dyed eggs in our fridge after this Easter Sunday. I am pretty excited about the simple yet tastey recipes that I will be sharing.

I learned about this sandwich from my husband who grew up eating it. When he hears "Tuna Sandwich" he thinks this is it, this is THE Tuna Sandwich to him. I had a hard time because I love Tuna Sandwiches and I love Egg Salad Sandwiches, I just wasn't so sure about combining the two. But it's pretty good and I think you and your lunch box carriers might like it also. It's one of the most requested sandwiches by my middle schooler.

Tuna & Egg Salad Sandwich

makes 4

2 5oz. cans of white tuna, in water

2 boiled eggs, diced

1 T. sweet pickle relish (or to taste)

3 T. mayo (or to taste)

salt and pepper

whole wheat hot dog buns

Drain tuna and add to bowl, add diced eggs. Add pickles and mayo and salt and pepper and mix. Serve on whole wheat hot dog buns. Will taste great on any bread.

*pictured with a few spinach leaves



Tofu Salad Sandwich

I am always on the look out for a new kind of sandwich for the lunch box. I saw this recipe on http://www.everydayhealth.com/ a bit ago and felt the need to make it and fast to make up for the Nutella Sandwich. Tofu is a good source of protein and can lower bad cholesterol. 

Tofu Salad Sandwich Recipe

• 2 oz. firm tofu
• 1/2 t. spicy brown mustard
• 1 T. light mayo
• 2 t. sweet pickle relish
• 1 t. chopped pimento
• a dash of black pepper

Mash tofu in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Serve on favorite sandwich bread with spinach.

Wild West Sandwich Wrap

I am always on the look out for sandwich recipes and there are sandwich recipes everywhere. I recently was grocery shopping at Kroger and saw this recipe that came along with a coupon. You can click on this link to see the original but I'll be sharing the changes that I made here.

The main change I wanted to make to the recipe was to add black beans because  1) black beans make sense with this sandwich especially because of the spice and 2) black beans are so healthy. Black beans are high in antioxidants and fiber and B6 and magnesium. Magnesium helps to maintain healthy blood pressure and healthy iron.

Wild West Sandwich Wrap

serves about 4

• 1/2 cup thawed frozen corn
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 1/4 cup red onion diced finely
• 3 T Chipotle flavored mayo**
• 4 Spinach Flat Out wraps
• spinach
• grilled chicken breast, about 1 each
• 1 sandwich cheese slice per wrap, your fave

Combine corn, beans, onion and mayo in bowl. Top wrap with spinach, cheese, chicken and corn mixture. Roll up and wrap in plastic wrap and add to lunch box.

** Queso Fresco & Chipotle Laughing Cow triangle can be used instead of Chipotle mayo

*** Worried this is too spicey for your young lunch box carrier? Use regular mayo (or Laughing Cow Cheese) instead!

Banh Mi

Banh Mi is a flavorful and texture full Vietnamese styled sandwich that is usually served on a baguette and with pâté, two things that I felt I had to change to make it healthier for the lunch box. So I skipped the pâté (and other substitutes) altogether and replaced the baguette with a sandwich thin. A whole wheat hot dog bun would work nicely too. I used this recipe from Food Network's site by Anthony Nguyen as inspiration and actually used his exact slaw recipe.

The daicon, which is in the slaw, is high in vitamin C and folacin. It is yet another cancer protecting food. The texture and ever so slight bite it adds to this sandwich is perfect.

Banh Mi

for the slaw

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 cup juliened carrot
• 1/2 cup juliened daicon
• a pinch of salt

for the meat

• about 6 ounces pork (I used leftover pork roast, leftover shredded pork will work)
• chicken, a couple of sandwich meat slices (or leftover chicken will work)
• a sprinkle of Chinese 5 spice (if using shredded meat, this can be stirred in)

for the sandwich

• sandwich thins
• Mayonaise
• English cucumber, 1/4, juliened
• a couple of sprigs of cilantro

Directions:

Make the slaw: (this can be done the night before and stored in the refridgerator) In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and vinegar and bring to a boil. Transfer the vinegar mixture to a bowl and cool. Add the carrot and daikon, mix well, and season with salt. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

To assemble the sandwich, add mayonaise to sandwich thin, then add pork and then chicken. Top with slaw and then add cucumber and cilantro.