If you're making a sandwich worth bragging about, don't ruin it by storing it in a ziploc bag! Elevate lunchtime by wrapping sandwiches in parchment. When opened, the parchment becomes your personal placemat.
Summer Sandwhich Combos Part 1 - Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, and Orange Marmalade Sandwiches
Jam, jellies, preserves and marmalades aren't just for breakfast anymore! We love the savory-sweet combination of adding fruit spreads to our favorite sandwiches. We have 3 combos to share and this sandwich made with seasonal heirloom tomatoes is a great place to start! As always, fresh ingredients make a difference. We started with fresh baked whole grain bread from a local bakery and heirloom tomatoes from a local farmer's market. The marmalade takes the place of a traditional balsamic drizzle...sweet and far less messy for picnics and packed lunches!
Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, and Orange Marmalade Sandwiches
- Whole grain or your favorite artisan bread
- Sarabeth’s Orange Apricot Marmalade
- Sliced fresh mozzarella
- Sliced heirloom tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Pinch of sea salt
- Slice bread to desired thickness and toast for a sturdier sandwich. We grilled our in a grill pan with a brush of olive oil.
- Spread the marmalade on each slice. Layer with cheese, then slices tomatoes.
- Top with fresh basil leaves and a pinch of sea salt.
- Top with an additional slice of bread or serve open faced.
Roundup: Our Top Picnic Packing Tips
We've got picnic fever and what better way to prepare than with these packing tips we've gathered from around the web. Whether you are roughing it in the wilderness, taking lunch to the park, or dining al fresco; there's a tip for anyone looking to make outdoor eating more practical.
1. Martha suggests packing in jars for convenience - also make a cute presentation...
2. The Burlap Bag suggests using a carrot as a knife carrier. You could also use a block of cheese if you plan to eat it!
3. Another genius idea from Martha for DIY bee & insect food covers using fabric and embroidery hoops.
4. Similar to Japanese fabric gift wrapping, The Kitchn suggests tying up foods in a piece of cloth for ease of carrying. We image creating several of these bundles (one for sandwiches, one for fresh fruits, etc..) and stuffing them all into our picnic basket. When unwrapped, instant placemats are created!
Recipe: Simple Chilled Bean & Salsa Salad
This black bean and salsa salad is simple to prepare but deep with smoky robust flavors, thanks to La Fundidora Humo salsa. Served cold, it's a perfect side dish for hot summer days. Sprinkle it on a taco, and you've just added a layer of sophistication to an everyday meal. When entertaining guests during happy hour, use it as a dip with tortilla chips accompanied by refreshing margaritas. No matter how you serve it up, you'll love the ease of preparation and the flavor of the finished product.
Simple Chilled Bean & Salsa Salad
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 ears of roasted corn (cut off of cob)
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 heaping Tbsp La Fundidora Humo Salsa
- juice of 1 lime
- pinch of salt & pepper to taste
Lightly toss all ingredients in a large bowl and allow to sit in refrigerator to thoroughly combine all flavors.
NOTE: Fire roasted corn is best. The blacker it gets, the better. That means that all of the natural sugars in the corn have caramelized and are sweeter, providing a nice contrast to the smokey salsa and acid of lime juice. We roasted our ears of corn in a grill pan on the stove, but this could also be done on a grill.
Recipe: Artichoke Lemon Pesto Dip in an Artichoke Dipping Bowl
Sometimes you come across a recipe that is so easy, you don’t want to tell anyone, so you can use it as your “party go to”. Since its our job at TASTE. SAVOR. SHARE. to tell you all about easy entertaining ideas, we are letting this recipe out of the box.
The recipe starts with Elki’s Artichoke Lemon Pesto, pieces of mellow artichokes, flavored with fresh lemons, garlic, and asiago cheese. Every flavor in this pesto stands out and also marries together, to make one of our most popular products at The Savory Pantry. Mix with your favorite whipped cream cheese and you have one flavorful dip.
Artichoke Lemon Pesto Dip in an Artichoke Dipping Bowl
- 1 jar of Artichoke Lemon Pesto from Elki
- 2 containers of your favorite Whipped Cream Cheese
Add ingredients to a bowl and mix with a hand mixer.
Artichoke Dipping Bowl
Use a knife to cut the center out of the artichoke. This does take some muscle, but can easily be done with a sharp knife. Once the center has been removed, use a metal spoon to hollow out the center before filling it with dip.
Serve with crackers, pretzels, or veggies.
We are certain this will become your "go to" dip. Enjoy!
