swiss chard + white bean grilled sammie

A few weeks ago I was totally being fussy and indecisive as to what I wanted for lunch. Looking for something comforting but at the same time healthy and fresh. My creation - a sandwich that is just as comforting as a grilled cheese but packed full of healthy goodness. In my opinion a grilled sandwich is so much better than one that is not- buttery toasty warm goodness. This is my summer comfort food perfected.

As I mention in my last post, the garden is in full swing. Early planted crops such as radishes, Swiss chard and lettuce are ready for harvest. The peas are flowering and all my heat loving plants are in their rightful spots. With all this heat and rain I am keeping my fingers crossed for a productive garden- so far all signs are pointing towards an amazing year of homegrown food.

The best part of growing your own food is harvesting it according to your own preferences- I LOVE baby Swiss chard over full grown, the best part about chard - you can cut the outer leaves and new baby ones will continue to grow. I can literally harvest from the same set of seeds sown in April through October.

Now I know it is a bit early for tomatoes, but I had one on my counter and decided it belonged in this sandwich. The radishes and Swiss chard are in season, straight from my garden. The bread is spread with the left over white bean dip from the crostini's I posted about on Wednesday, before being sandwich together the radishes are generously sprinkled with cracked pepper and good flaky salt.

Then grilled- the best part of the sandwich besides its insides.

A sandwich not to be shared, but rather inhaled or savored...depending on how ravishingly hungry you are.

This beautiful sandwich shared its plate with a bowl of super simple shallot balsamic soup-  a recipe I will share with you early next week. This lunch or light dinner can literally be on the table in 15 minutes or less without heating up the house. That my friends, is a summer meal you can count on any day of the week.

Swiss Chard & White Bean Grilled Sammie

makes 1 sandwich, easily doubled

you will need:

2 slices of your favorite bread

baby rainbow Swiss chard

1-2 radishes thinly sliced

tomato slices

2 tbsp white bean spread (found here!)

vegan butter

salt & pepper

assembly: 

 Spread 1 tbsp of the white bean spread on each slice of bread. Layer one slice with Swiss chard & tomatoes, the other slice with radishes seasoned well with salt & pepper. Sandwich the 2 pieces together. Spread one side with vegan butter. Place sandwich buttered side down in a pre heated pan over medium heat, spread the other side with vegan butter. Cook until golden brown and flip, cook the other side the same. Remove from the pan, slice in half & enjoy!