Ciabatta Goodness

Can you pronounce ciabatta?

It’s a tricky one – the ‘ci’ is actually pronounced like ‘chi’, so to say the name of this lovely bread correctly, try ‘chi-batta’. I actually looked up how to pronounce it – thank you Macmillan Dictionary and your audio clips for pronunciation!

Fresh Ciabatta Goodness!

This sudden attention to the pronunciation of foreign words is a result of the intensive English Teacher training course I recently completed at the International Language Center in Paris. I can now apply for English teaching positions and the world is wide open to me once again!

During my course, I brought my lunch from home as much as possible. This was helpful to save money, since buying lunch everyday can be expensive, and to save time, especially on those afternoons when I was teaching. I often brought homemade sandwiches made with ciabatta bread and stuffed with my favorite sandwich innards: multiple types of meat and cheese, veggies and mustard.

Stacked and Packed!

I can get fresh ciabatta bread  at my local grocery store and one loaf can make multiple sandwiches, depending on the size of my appetite: 3 small or 2 large. Ciabatta is lovely bread, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, with lots of nice little nooks and crannies to hold reserves of mustard. It’s a worthy alternative to the baguette and it makes some pretty amazing sandwiches, both fresh and toasted.

A medley of goodness and ingredients

Possible ingredients for some Ciabatta Goodness include:

Meat: Ham, salami, sausage, roast beef, roast chicken or turkey

Cheese: Emmental, gouda, camembert (so good!)

Veggies: Feuilles de chêne (salad greens), arugula, spinach, avocado, red pepper, tomato, etc.

Condiments: Butter, mustard (multiple kinds in the same sandwich!), mayo

Prep:

1-Cut a fresh ciabatta loaf in half, length wise.

2-Spread butter and/or mustard on the halves, alternating or combining as per your tastes.

3-Pile on your choice(s) of meat(s) and cheese(s).

4-Top with veggies.

5-Assemble the top half of the loaf.

6-Cut to your desired size and number of sandwiches.

7-Serve and enjoy!

One Ciabatta Loaf = Multiple Sandwiches!

To create a tasty toasted ciabatta sandwich, place both halves of the bread (after the meat and cheese are in place, but before adding the veggies) in the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, top with veggies, cut and serve!

Tasty and Toasty Ciabatta Sandwich

This sandwich was a conversation starter among my new classmates during my course and it was extremely filling to eat for lunch. It also works well at sandwich parties or potlucks, where there are lot of fun ingredient combinations to play with. We brought some ciabatta to a recent gathering of sandwich lovers (friends) and they were a big hit there too.

So give it a try with your favorite ingredients and when someone asks you about your sandwich, because they will, tell them it’s all in the ciabatta bread and help them pronounce it correctly.

Just don’t talk with your mouth full!

Upside-down Ciabatta Goodness.

Thinking Outside the Bread Box – The Versatile Tortilla

Versatility, thy name is Tortilla.

This statement may come across as overdramatic, but it’s completely true.

The Tortilla is an impressively adaptable substitute for bread for sandwich-type endeavors. This makes sense considering tortillas have been around since the time of the Aztecs. They are traditionally made from corn dough called masa, shaped by hand and seared each side on a hot griddle. Today they come in all sizes and flavors – whole wheat, three cheese, sundried tomato, spinach, etc. -  and they can be stuffed with anything, hot or cold, and shaped into whatever configuration suits your taste.

Versatile tortillas use versatile ingredients.

To prove this and to celebrate the fun and flexibility of the Tortilla, I present you with three different tortilla experiences: a Wrap, a Quesadilla and a Burrito. These three tortilla-based meals can be made with very similar ingredients, depending on what you feel like. If you can't decide which one to make, there's nothing stopping you from making all three at once. Just be creative with what you have and go for it!

The Ranch Chicken Salad Wrap needs:

-Tortillas, any flavor will do

-Romaine or Iceberg lettuce, washed and torn into small bits

-Cooked chicken breast, chopped into small pieces

How stuffed can wraps get?

-Tomatoes, diced

-Red peppers, sliced

-Parmesan cheese, grated

-Ranch Salad Dressing

Prep:

1-Toss the lettuce, chicken, tomatoes and ranch dressing.

2-Spoon the salad mixture into a line down the centers of the tortillas.

3-Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and add slices of red pepper.

4-Fold up the bottom of the tortilla to the centre and fold the outer ends over each other, leaving one end open.

5-Carefully place the wrap on a plate, folded side down, to keep everything together.

6-Eat it carefully to avoid it coming unwrapped. Enjoy! 

All wrapped up in tortilla goodness.

Two layers of grated cheese tops this quesadilla.

Since wraps are incredibly quick and easy to make, the hardest part will be deciding what to put in yours! Experiment with different fillings, hot or cold, and see how stuffed you can make them. There is another folding technique that completely closes the wrap off, which can be good if the one you’re making is double-stuffed and needs the extra containment. I personally prefer the open end because I can easily top it off with extra wrap stuffing.  Just like the tortillas that hold them all together, wraps are deliciously multipurpose and underrated. 

The Spicy Chicken Quesadilla needs:

-Tortillas, any flavor will do

-Cooked chicken breast, seasoned to your liking and chopped into small pieces

-Cheddar and mozzarella cheese, grated

-Red or green peppers, diced

-Tomatoes, diced

-Banana peppers or *Jalapenos (if you dare!), diced

*If you are chopping up jalapeno peppers, be very careful not to touch your face, especially your eyes, when handling jalapenos! Wash your hands and chopping station thoroughly to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. Canned jalapenos are a safe alternative as well.*

-Sour cream

-Salsa

-Guacamole (store bought or try making it yourself!)

Prep:

1-Sprinkle a thin layer of grated cheese on half a tortilla.

2-Pile on the chicken, peppers/jalapenos and tomatoes.

3-Top with one more layer of grated cheese.

3-Fold the tortilla in half and carefully place it on a hot Panini press for 3-4 minutes.

4-Remove from heat when golden grill marks are visible and the insides are melted.

5-Slice the quesadilla into triangles and serve with sides of salsa and sour cream. 

Complete with salsa and sour cream. Guacamole is also a good side.

This Quesadilla makes a filling meal or satisfying snack. I like to season the chicken with some chili or cayenne pepper for some extra oomph. The spicy banana peppers are my favorite part; since I’m not quite ready to go all out with jalapenos, they add some heat without the complete searing of taste buds and don’t make downing ice water a requirement for enjoying this meal. 

Go as spicy as you want!

The Bean Burrito needs:

-Tortillas, any flavor will do

-1-2 cups cooked rice

-1 can of a Bean Medley (red kidney beans, chick peas, etc.)

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-1 small onion, diced

-1 Tbsp minced garlic

-1-2 tsp chili or chipotle pepper (depends how spicy you want it)

-2 tsp cumin

-Sharp cheddar cheese, grated

-Red, green or yellow peppers, diced

-spinach (optional; depends how stuffed you want it)

Stuffed to the brim with rice, beans and veggies.

Prep:

1-Cook the rice per the instructions (if using a rice cooker, make sure you add enough water and a little oil, to avoid the rice drying out/getting crunchy)

2-Add the oil into a heated skillet and sauté the garlic and onion until soft, about 5 minutes.

3-Rinse the beans and add to the oil, garlic and onion.

4-Add the spices and mix to coat the beans evenly. Cook for another 5 minutes or so.

5-Scoop the rice and beans into a line in the center of your tortillas.

6-Pile the veggies and sour cream on top.

7-Carefully fold the bottom up to the centre and fold the outer end over each other.

8-Flip and place folded side down to seal it.

9-Enjoy!

This bean burrito adds a vegetarian option that’s super filling and very healthy.  Experiment with your favorite spices and vegetable toppings to make yours truly unique. You might even want to try seasoning the rice with a splash of lime juice and some chopped fresh cilantro (excellent flavors!). If you're not into beans - you should be because they're tasty and extremely good for you - season chicken or slices of steak with the same spices.

Whether you make it into a wrap, a grilled quesadilla or burrito, your tortilla is sure to please because versatility makes any sandwich experience fun and uniquely yours.

Epic Sandwich Party!

Planning a party is usually one of two potential things: it’s really fun or it’s really stressful. There’s a lot to do and never enough time and dealing with the food aspect is usually the biggest source of stress. I wasn’t sure what to do for my recent 30^th birthday, but when it became an Epic Sandwich Party, all stress went right out the window - right along with my 20's!

Epic Sandwich of stacked proportions!

The rules of the Epic Sandwich Party are just like those that govern general sandwich creation: there are no rules! Any kind of sandwich can be created with a few key ingredients and this creative freedom brings out the fun – and sometimes weird – tastes of your guests.  Plus having your guests make their own sandwich masterpieces takes all the cooking pressure off you, the host, so you can spend more time mingling and partying with your people!

Three Major Reasons Why Epic Sandwich Parties Rock:

1-You can’t please everyone, but everyone can please themselves:

The dollop of grainy mustard makes this sandwich epic!

Let’s face it – if you try to plan your party’s menu so everyone is consistently happy, you’re in for a disappointing evening. People’s tastes are too different and with so many different eating styles (vegetarian, vegan) and/or food restrictions (gluten-free, allergies, etc.), coming up with something that everyone can eat is pretty near impossible. But an Epic Sandwich Party empowers everyone to please themselves. If you provide variety in meat, bread, veggie and side options (I’ll get to the Shopping List in a moment), you are appealing to broad tastes and letting your guests get more specific for themselves. You might not think that toasted rye bread with raspberry jam and sharp cheddar tastes good (it really does, just so you know!), but you don’t have to because your guests will think up their own food and everyone’s happy because they take care of themselves.

It's enormous! Or is it...?

2-Epic Sandwich Parties are Very Kid-Friendly:

There are lots of kids in our circle of friends and family and I wanted them to feel welcome. An Epic Sandwich Party is a fun and super easy way to include the little ones in the festivities.  Kids love sandwiches!  And getting to make their own can appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. My six-year old nephew made the first sandwich of the party and he was so excited to have that honor. I pointed out the different choices he had and he considered each one thoughtfully before putting together a Roast Beast (beef), Cheese and Ketchup Sandwich. It was just what he wanted! All the kids at our party seemed to have fun building their own sandwiches, which made their parents happy and able to have fun too!

3-The prep is so minimal, it’s hardly prep!

Just stock up on sandwich essentials, add some general party junk food, chill the drinks and you’re good to go! Have some napkins, plates and cups standing by and let everyone be inspired to create their own sandwich greatness.

You can’t go wrong with this basic Shopping List for your Epic Sandwich Party:

So many tasty ingredients!

Bread: 3-4 different kinds, such as:

Basic Sourdough

Rye (dark and light)

Multi-grain

Buns (my Dad brought his special homemade buns and they did not last long!)

Meat: Variety is key!

Turkey breast, like Lilydale’s seasoned and roasted turkey breast slices

Roast Beef

Montreal Smoked Brisket

Spicy Capocolo

Smoked Prosciutto

Bacon

Turkey, sliced applies and sharp cheddar!

Veggies/Fruits:

Lettuce (spinach and mixed greens)

Tomatoes

Peppers

Onions

Mushrooms

Granny Smith Apples, thinly sliced

Sprouts

Avocados

Cheese:

Sharp Cheddar

Mozza

Jalapeno Havarti

Goat Cheese

Grilled roast beef, mushrooms, and 3 kinds of cheese!

Condiments:

Mustards (plain yellow, spicy, grainy, Dijon, Honey, Cranberry)

Mayo (plain and Dill)

Butter

Pickles

Banana Peppers

Ketchup

Hummus

Sides:

Potato chips (your favorite kinds!)

Veggies and Dips (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower)

Grapes

Potato salad

Drinks:

Root Beer

Orange Pop

Coke

(just add ice cream for floats!)

...and don't forget real beer for the adults!

Special Equipment:

Skillet/Grill for those who want a grilled sandwich experience

This party wouldn't have been complete
without an Epic Sandwich Birthday Cake! 

Dessert:

Cupcakes

Ice Cream

...and Epic Sandwich Birthday Cake!

Convinced now? I hope so! Our guests had fun building their own epic sandwiches and we did too! For your next gathering, forget the planning stress and throw an Epic Sandwich Party instead!

Guacamole Turkey Club

I love guac!

It’s perfect on the classics like nachos and quesadillas (the more cheese, the better!), alongside its close amigos hot/spicy salsa and sour cream.  It’s also very lovely on a turkey club.  I admit, I was once put off by guacamole’s unique green colour and chunky texture, but it adds such a fresh, delicious flavour to the above mentioned dishes that I quickly got over how weird it looked and I now enjoy making my own.  It’s quick, easy, healthy and the true star of this sandwich’s fiesta!

To prepare the guacamole, mix the following together:

4 small ripe avocados, pitted and mashed (To check for ripeness, gently press on the outsides of the avocado for a slight give; no give means it’s not ripe and too much means over-ripe)

1 medium tomato, diced

1 tbsp. lime juice

2 tsp. minced garlic (or more, depending on how garlicky you want it!)

1-2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro

½ tsp. cayenne pepper

Fresh ground pepper (to taste)

All red and green and festive like!  As guacamole has a rather short shelf-life, make sure to use any leftover guac with some tortilla chips or as a unique spread on toast.

For the Turkey Club, you will need:

Sourdough bread, toasted

Bacon (I use 2 strips of bacon per sandwich)

Turkey slices; I love Lilydale’s seasoned and roasted turkey breast slices (I recommend using the low sodium kind since you'll get your fill of salt with the bacon.)

Mayo

Assembly Tips:

1. Fry the bacon and drain off some of the grease with paper towel. (Make sure you don't pour the grease down the drain; it's bad for your plumbing!)
2. Spread one slice of the toasted bread with mayo and the other with the guacamole.
3. Pile on the turkey and bacon
4. Slice and enjoy with a festive Christmas Orange!

The guacamole makes this sandwich quite filling and for aesthetics, it's quite colourful: the green and reds of the guacamole, the pinks and rusts of the turkey and bacon. 

Lovely and muy delicioso!

Feliz Navidad!