Twists on the ‘wich

By the end of high school, I was done with PB&J. My extremely gracious mother had packed my lunch every day since she discovered that I wasn’t eating much on my cafeteria tray at Inverness Elementary School, but a decade of cold bread combos in a lunchbox, even created with the utmost love, had done me in.

Over the past few years, I have been reclaiming the art of goodness placed between twice slices of crusty grains. Start with quality ingredients like sourdough bread and a sharp cheese, throw some sweet potato fries in the oven, and you’ll have a five-star meal that is as comforting as it is gourmet. 

Below I have shared a few of my favorite combinations. Try one of mine, or get creative with your favorite ingredients. Toss on some spices and something you have never placed on bread before, and see what happens. 

Managing Editor Madoline Markham blogs about food at maplemacaroni.blogspot.com.

Blackberry-Goat Cheese Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

Easter lunch 2013 with the family called for a step up from normal Sunday fare, and this star was born.

Ciabatta bread, sliced

Blackberry preserves

Goat cheese

Pork tenderloin, cooked and sliced

Red onion, sliced and roasted

Arugula

Lay out two slices of ciabatta. Spread one slice with blackberry preserves and one with goat cheese. Top blackberry slice with arugula, and goat cheese slice with pork and onions. Sandwich the two sides together, and slice in half.

Ham Party Sandwiches with Roasted Red Pepper

You’ve probably had a variation on these wondrous ham sandwiches at a potluck or tailgate. I added roasted red pepper to switched things up a bit, but they are just as heavenly without it.

1-12 pack Hawaiian rolls

¾ lb. sliced ham

6 slices of Swiss cheese

Roasted red peppers, sliced (optional)

1/4 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2  Tbsp. poppy seeds

1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

Slice rolls and remove tops; place bread bottoms in a 13x9-inch baking pan. Fold ham slices to set on top of each roll bottom. Place cheese on top (I fold each slice in quarters and then place two quarters on top) and then red pepper, if desired. Place roll tops back on top of sandwiches.

Stir together remaining ingredients. Drizzle or use a brush to cover the sandwich tops with butter mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until sandwiches are warm and toasty.

You can prepare the sandwiches a day or two before serving.