Summer Sandwiches – Fresh and Fantastic

Cooking is fun, but when the weather is so hot, spending time with the oven on can be unbearable. That’s why no-cook meals are the best during the summer. Who needs a stove-top stew when a fresh sandwich is just as satisfying? Sure, home-cooked meals are always comforting, but we can wait ‘till winter to fill our bellies with such richness.

When we’re trying to be light on our feet and ready for swimming or a day at the beach, munching on a sandwich for lunch or a light supper is the way to go. Kids and adults alike are always up for a sandwich, especially when the ingredients are infinitely interchangeable.

Here are three sandwich options the kids will love. You’ll enjoy them too since they are easy to prepare and are filled with healthful ingredients. Each recipe makes one sandwich.

Crisp and Crunchy Veggie Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon hummus

3-4 leaves Romaine lettuce

3-4 slices beefsteak tomato

¼ cup bean sprouts

¼ sliced avocado

¼ cup shredded carrots

2 sliced button mushrooms

5 bread and butter pickle chips

Spread the mustard and hummus on the bread and layer the rest of the ingredients inside. Slice in half and get many servings of the day’s veggies in one meal. It’s delicious and so good for you. You can also pile into a pita for another tasty option.

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices white or whole wheat bread

1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter (use another type of nut or seed butter if there are allergies)

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon ricotta cheese

1 small banana, sliced into ¼ inch slices

2 tablespoons banana chips

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Spread the peanut butter and ricotta onto the bread and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the honey. Add the bananas and the banana chips. Cut in half and savor the sweetness. This one makes for a yummy breakfast too.

Lox and Cream Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices rye bread

2 tablespoons cream cheese

3 slices lox or smoked salmon

3-4 slices beefsteak tomato

3-4 thin slices red onion

6-7 thin slices cucumber

1 teaspoon chives

1 tablespoon diced olives

Spread the cream cheese on the bread and sprinkle on the chives and diced olives. Layer the rest of the ingredients. Slice in two and dig in. Why go for a heavy, dense bagel when rye bread is even tastier? Try it open-faced for something lighter.

What are your kids’ favorite sandwiches? We’d love to share your recipes with the AMC community.

For more info like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs.

By: Melissa A. Kay