Brown Bag Sandwiches

So I don't get bored with my brown bag sandwich lunches, I'm always on the lookout for something more than just cold cuts. These are some of my favorites.

Chicken Pesto Croissant Sandwich: Split 6 croissants in half lengthwise. Spread the bottom with a thoroughly combined mixture of 1/3 cup basil pesto (either home-made or store-bought) and 1/4 cup mayonnaise. Fill with 2 cups sliced cooked or rotisserie chicken. Put together and serve.

Peanut Butter Special: In a bowl combine 1/4 cup peanut butter, 2 Tbsp. applesauce and 2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled. Spread on 2 slices buttered bread. Top each with 1/2 cup tart apple, thinly sliced. Top with 2 slices buttered bread.

Ham and Raisin Sandwich: Mix 1 cup minced cooked ham with 1/2 cup seedless raisins and 1 tsp. capers together. Combine with enough mayonnaise to moisten.

Low Cholesterol Tuna or Salmon Salad Sandwiches: 1/4 cup finely chopped apples, 6 stuffed green olives, chopped, 1 green onion, minced, 1/4 tsp. dill weed (or 1 tsp. fresh), 1/4 cup finely chopped celery, 3 drops Tabasco, juice of 1/2 lime. Mix ingredients with just enough reduced-fat mayonnaise to hold it all together.

Weight Watchers Tuna Salad Sandwich: Add to a can of tuna, 1 small apple, chopped, finely chopped celery and onion, 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise, 2 tsp. mustard, alfalfa sprouts. For even less calories and no fat omit the mayonnaise and substitute 2 Tbsp. plain yogurt mixed with 2 tsp. spicy mustard.

Tuna-Pickle Pitas: Mix a 6 oz. drained can of light tuna in water, a couple of spoons of sweet pickle relish, coleslaw dressing (or mayo or any favorite salad dressing), pinch of celery seed if desired, chopped onions, chopped peppers, shredded carrot. Spoon mixture into 4 pita bread halves. Variation: Make a melt by spreading mixture on top of toasted English muffin halves, top with cheese and broil just until cheese is melted.

Salmon Cucumber Sandwiches: Combine 6 oz. can of salmon, drained and flaked, 1/2 cup chopped cucumber, 3 Tbsp. plain yogurt, 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. dried dill weed in a small bowl. Butter bread or mini sandwich buns, line with lettuce leaves and fill with salmon mixture.

Gourmet Roast Beef Sandwich: Fresh brie makes a roast beef sandwich a cut above.

Salami Sandwich: Grainy mustard on one slice of bread with salami slices over it. Place arugula over that. On the other slice of bread spread some softened cream cheese. A word from the cook: Tastes really good on bread with substance like a 12-grain or even rye.

By sooz from Toronto, ON