Pesto Toast

This is one of my favorite lunches folks! It's just so hearty, fresh and filling, but doesn't make you feel gross after eating it. My kind of meal! And really, you can make it your own. Add whatever toppings sound good at the time. I've even done a pizza twist to it and added pizza sauce instead of pesto with peppers, onions and pepperoni as toppings. I have to give a big shout-out to my sister in law, Jen, for steering me toward this gem. I don't know what I would do without it in my life:)

1 slice of bread (I use Dave's Killer Bread)

2t pesto (or as much as you want!)

Handful of Spinach

Fresh Garden Tomato (OK store bought is good too)

Diced grilled chicken

Sprinkle of Mozzarella Cheese

Dash of Italian Seasoning

Place your oven setting on high broil. Put bread on a cookie sheet. Spread on pesto and then layer your toppings in whatever order you want. I layer this way: spinach, tomato, chicken, mozzarella, Italian seasoning. It's best if the cheese is on top so that it gets nice and bubbly and brown. Broil in the oven for a few minutes. I usually just keep an eye on it until it looks perfectly bubbly. Remove and sit and enjoy your healthy, filling lunch!

Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

This quickly became a family favorite. I even made them for the masses for our Super Bowl party and a big family dinner over the holidays. It’s PERFECT for feeding a lot of people. And it’s just so simple too. I love how it’s a crockpot meal. As a busy mom, most of the time the last thing I want to think about is dinner. These are such a cinch for those busy nights…it even makes it’s own au jus!

1- 3-4 pound chuck roast, remove excess fat

Montreal Steak Seasoning

2 T olive oil

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup water

2 cups beef broth

1/2t dried, rosemary

1/2t dried thyme

1T dry minced onion

2t minced garlic

6-8 french rolls

6-8 slices of provolone cheese

Sprinkle meat with Montreal Steak Seasoning and rub in. In a heavy pan, heat 2T olive oil and sear each side of the roast. Place in the crock pot. Mix together soy sauce, beef broth, water, rosemary, thyme, garlic and onion. Pour over roast. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours. Cook until tender and easy to shred. Shred with tongs. Strain remaining juice for the au jus. If you are serving a large crowd, double the recipe, it will still fit in a large crock pot. Enjoy!!

*Adapted from yourhomebasedmom.com

Avocado Chicken Salad

Made this. Loved it. Then I made it again because I didn’t feel guilty AT ALL because it’s delicious, easy AND healthy:)

1 cup shredded chicken (I use canned chicken and it’s great)

1 avocado, mashed

1 lime

1-2 T cilantro depending on how much you like it

salt and pepper

Add chicken and avocado to a bowl and mix. Add lime, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste. Eat with crackers, in a sandwich or on my personal favorite, Bagel Thins. Enjoy!

Philly Cheese Steaks

I love me a good cheese steak. I might be a little picky though. It's gotta be flavorful and melty, cheesy, and saucy. Don't sell yourself short either...order the roast beef from the deli and ask for it to be shaved. This is the only way really. Then top it with A LOT of delicious cheese sauce. The other important thing is the roll...I like mine to be chewy on the outside and soft on the inside, then toasted to perfection. Put it all together and you've got one DELICIOUS sandwich!

1 lb. shaved roast beef deli meat
1 green pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8-10 deli rolls, toasted

Sauce:
1 T butter
1 T flour
2 cups milk, heated
1 cup grated sharp provolone cheese (I found a wedge at Walmart)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

In a skillet heat 1 T olive oil. Add diced green pepper, onion and garlic. Saute about 5 minutes until peppers and onions are soft. Add shaved roast beef. Stir to combine, cover and set aside. To make the sauce melt butter in a saucepan then whisk in flour. Cook for about 1 minute. Add heated milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add provolone and parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Put roast beef mixture on toasted buns and top with the cheese sauce. ENJOY!!

Smoked Turkey and Artichoke Panini

Jenna introduced me to this GEM over a month or so ago and I instantly became obsessed!! I didn't think I could make paninis because I didn't have a panini maker, but it turns out it doesn't matter! I just put them in my George Foreman and they are TO DIE FOR!!! I would say on an average week...I have this 2-3 times. It's a staple.

1 loaf rustic (crisp on the outside, soft on the inside) Artisan bread
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 jar roasted red peppers
Provolone cheese
thinly sliced turkey breast
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic-herb sandwich spread (recipe follows)

Garlic-herb sandwich spread
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/2 T lemon juice
zest from 1/2 lemon
1/2-1 t Italian seasoning

Spread garlic herb mayo over each side of bread. Place cheese on each side also. Pile on turkey breast on along with several slices roasted red pepper and artichoke hearts on one side of the bread. Brush each side with olive oil and place on grill until crisp and golden brown on both sides.
Enjoy the intoxication!!!

*From Our Best Bites
*For easy making, I just make the mayo, which by the way is GREAT on any sandwich, and put it in a container so I can just whip this sandwich out in an instant at any point of the day. It's incredibly easy and you MUST try!!