Back to School, Back to Sandwiches

Back to school means back to sandwiches. Keep this template on hand to make extra-good ones!

It’s hard to believe, but summer is just about over, and school (and office) sandwich days are back. That’s okay, though, when you’ve got a great go-to sandwich up your sleeve. This is ours.

We call this “Lucy’s Sandwich,” because my older daughter could eat this just about every day for lunch. It started as she threw some breads-spreads-fillings together in the make-your-own sandwich line at Central Market, but one day I decided we all loved this combo so much that we should have provisions at the ready at home. The result really does taste like something more special than your typical turkey or ham and cheese.

With turkey, avocado, pesto, arugula and Havarti (or pepper jack), it might sound crazy that the thing that elevates this sandwich is salt and pepper, but I think that is the case. You might never think about it but adding a little sprinkle of crunchy salt and some fresh ground pepper to a sandwich makes a huge difference – it accentuates all of the ordinary flavors, rendering them extraordinary. The other thing that makes this sandwich a little different is the peppery arugula. Instead of plain lettuce, the arugula adds an extra layer of spice while it also adds some crunch.

Of course, this is just a template for something that is totally customizable. Add tomato if you like that (I do). Omit the avocado if you don’t (my other daughter doesn’t). Switch out the cheese, leave out the Dijon mustard or the mayo, use a really good white bread instead of wheat. But do try a little salt and pepper.

Happy back to school and sandwich days!

Lucy’s Sandwich

Ingredients: 

2 slices Dave’s Killer Good Seed Bread (or whatever bread you like)
Mayonnaise to taste
Dijon mustard to taste
Pinch of kosher salt
Sprinkle of fresh ground pepper
1 slice Havarti (or pepper jack or provolone or…)
¼ avocado, sliced
Handful of arugula
2 to 3 slices turkey (we like Central Market’s Nashville Hot In-House Roasted Turkey)
2 slices tomato (optional)

Recipe directions: 

Spread equal parts mayonnaise and mustard on one side of one slice of bread and be sure to spread to the edges. Sprinkle that with salt and pepper. Top with a slice of cheese, then the avocado, then enough arugula to cover the bread, then the turkey. Add tomato if you’d like. Top with the other slice of bread.