Sandwich
Artichoke and Eggplant Panini
Grilling is the name of the game for a vegetarian powerhouse stacked with meaty eggplant, melted Fontina cheese, and a luscious artichoke mayonnaise.
Fish Cakes
Bake the potato in the microwave to save time. You can use any mild white fish instead of cod.
Black Olive and Goat Cheese Sandwiches
I can't think of a better sandwich to take along to the beach, enjoy next to the pool, or keep on hand in the fridge than these wraps. The combination of olives, goat cheese, frisée, and red pepper reminds me of the Mediterranean Sea, making any summer occasion seem slightly more exotic. Thanks to the durable flour tortillas, which can hold alot of heft and moisture without soaking through and tearing, these sandwiches can be made ahead of time.
Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Citrus Tapenade Sandwiches
These mouthwatering sandwiches are packed with zesty flavor. Wrap them up and serve at a picnic.
Dijon-Cilantro Tuna Salad on Whole Grain Bread
Yogurt replaces the usual mayo.
Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Salsa and Tsatsiki
It's March, which feels like the longest month, and for many of us, it's still cold and dreary outside. Time to start fantasizing about sitting at a café table somewhere hot and dazzlingly sunnyéa Greek island would do nicely. These hearty sandwiches will take you there.
Monte Cubano
This two-in-one indulgence has the irresistible makings of a Cuban sandwich, including Swiss cheese, pickles, and sliced meats—but its also dipped in egg batter and fried like a Monte Cristo.
Onion Soup with Loads of Thyme and Giant Gruyère Crostini
Whenever the weather begins to get cold, I begin to fantasize about that perfect bowl of French onion soup. The top is golden and crisp, the cheese has blistered and fallen and is completely melted, and gooey bits are stuck to the outer sides of the bowl. When I cut through the cheese, the bread is slightly crisp, but mushy at the same time. I fill my spoon with the rich, full broth crammed with soft, sweet, smoky onions. Here's my fantasy in a bowl.
Grilled Cheese with Pulled Short Ribs and Pickled Red Onions
Along with the Seared Kobe Beef on Mini Yorkshire Pudding and the Truffled Gruyère Fondue, this item has never left the lounge menu. I remember briefly intimating to a customer that I might be replacing the grilled cheese, and I was practically accosted! Because this snack is only available in the lounge and at the dining bar, people will go to sneaky lengths to order it. There have been guests who have left the table, walked to the lounge, ordered a sandwich, eaten it—and then returned to the table as if nothing had happened!
Like a cheesesteak to a Philadelphian, grilled cheese and short rib sandwiches are my comfort food for late-night lounging. And I can't get enough of the slow-cooked short rib. There are myriad uses for it, from picking and shredding it into a hash with roasted potatoes, garlic, and herbs to a hearty breakfast with poached or fried eggs and toast. Slice it and serve it with mashed potatoes. It may be a little time-consuming to braise anything, especially without a slow cooker, but it's a dish that everyone should try at least once.
Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Manchego and Jamón Serrano
Jamón Serrano, a salty cured Spanish ham, is the traditional pairing for Manchego cheese. The ham is sold at specialty foods stores and at Spanish and Latin markets, and the cheese can be found at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
Bruschetta with Fava Beans, Greens, and Blood Oranges
In this take on bruschetta, the toasts are spread with a fava puree and topped with a fresh salad.
Roasted Garlic Crostini with Assorted Toppings
Editor's note: This recipe is from chef Wolfgang Puck.
I grew up only about 280 miles west of Transylvania, as the bat flies. So maybe my mother cooked with so much garlic to keep the vampires away from my sisters, my brother, and me. Actually, Austrians, like many Europeans, love the powerful bulb, and as a child I ate more than my share of it in soups, stews, sautés, roasts, and other savory dishes. But only as a professional chef did I learn the secret of roasting garlic. Because its texture is buttery and rich, I like to spread it on crostini. Once you've spread the roasted garlic over your toasts you can choose from a number of toppings.
Hummus and Feta Sandwiches on Whole Grain Bread
These sandwiches are portable and keep well in a lunch box. The hummus should be thick for the sandwiches, but if you want to enjoy the leftovers as a dip, thin slightly with a little extra olive oil.
Chicken-Liver Crostini
Anna Di Bene, Oltranti's grandmother, never let anything go to waste in her kitchen in Lucca, Italy. Whenever she cooked chicken, she saved the livers for this delicious antipasto. Spicy red-pepper flakes and salty capers cut through the richness of the topping.
Crostini with Prosciutto, Figs, and Mint
Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from Jamie Oliver's book Jamie's Italy.
I've always thought of crostini as small bruschette but this isn't completely correct, as they are usually made with white bread instead of sourdough. I'm told that in the old days the bread would have been so stale that it would have to be soaked in a little stock or juice to make it chewy and edible again, but don't worry. In this day and age you don't have to do this. In Italy they simply grill a half-inch slice of ciabatta, rub it with a cut clove of garlic, drizzle it with oil, and season it with salt and pepper.