Most people don’t think of sandwiches as an impressive dinnertime option, but the truth is that they’re really easy to upscale. Swap your typical bread for an artisan loaf from your favorite bakery, get creative with your fixings, and change up your cooking methods. You can get a great dinner on the table lightning-fast if you reconsider the boring old sandwich.
This post is sponsored by Hempler’s.
Hempler’s has a European-style bacon that’s round in shape so it’s a great way to get that bacon-y flavor into any sandwich. It’s perfect on burgers or in wraps, and of course we can’t forget that they also have the best traditional bacon along with several uncured varieties, too.
So if you’re ready for a super easy dinnertime solution but want to take your simple sandwiches to the next level, try this:
- Make a Monte Cristo – My family’s favorite. Basically you dredge a ham & cheese sandwich in French Toast batter and fry it up. AMAZING.
- Grown-Up Grilled Cheese – Add bacon or guacamole (OR BOTH) to your basic grilled cheese. You can also add your favorite jam for a bit of sweetness, or opt for a fancy cheese in place of your basic cheddar.
- Make a Panini – I don’t have a panini maker anymore (thanks, Marie Kondo) but if you wrap a brick or something else heavy in foil to press down your sandwich, it works great. Check out my recipe for a panini with bacon, gouda, and thinly sliced apples below.
- Use Fancy Bread – Swap your boring white bread for something a little more exotic.
Panini with Bacon, Gouda, and Apples
In this twist on the classic grilled ham and cheese, the apples add a delightful texture along with some sweet-and-savory action, and by slicing the bread lengthwise you get an extra-crispy crust that adds a fantastic crunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread
- 6 slices Hempler’s European-style bacon, cooked
- 12 slices good-quality Gouda cheese
- 1 Fuji apple, sliced thin
Instructions:
- Cut French bread horizontally (not into individual slices). Then cut into four equal sections.
- On each section of the sandwich pile: 1 slice Gouda, 1 slice bacon, 3-4 slices of apples, and 1 slice Gouda.
- Cook on a panini press until bread is brown and crusty, and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
- If you don’t have a panini press, set a skillet to medium heat, grease with butter, and place a foil-wrapped brick on top of it. Flip after three minutes to brown the second side.
Want more easy and delicious dinnertime ideas? Check out our whole “What’s Cookin’?” series here!
