Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich
So, what do you have for Saturday lunch?? I like a sandwich…….Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich.
I have commented on two things recently …….1. We have a lot of asparagus and 2. I seem to throw out too much food.
The asparagus is not a problem…..we could eat it everyday. But the chicken, I took it out of the freezer and it would not wait.

Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich 1
It was Saturday and we needed lunch……..I needed to use the chicken. Ok……. a chicken sandwich. I was thinking grilled with grilled asparagus…. but that seemed……..well sorta boring.
I love grilled sandwiches, with gooey fresh mozzarella cheese. Chicken…. I poached mine but you can easily use left over chicken…….tomatoes, why not, make that sundried tomatoes, the kind in oil. I think they are the best, they have a sweet, intense taste and chewy texture. Onions to me are necessary for any sandwich.
My ingredients so far were leaning towards Italian flavors. How about pesto??? Can you use asparagus for pesto? You bet your sweet bippy you can……you will really need to be of a certain age to get that reference.
Roasted asparagus and garlic, basil, almonds, and olive oil, blended to a yummy spread…….I really could have just eaten it with a spoon!

Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Toast the bread on all sides, add the cheese to start melting, layer with chicken, tomatoes, and onion. Smear the other side of the bread with the asparagus pesto, and toast until desired toastiness. Slice and enjoy.
Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich……..Saturday lunch!!! Ok you can have it other days…..like any day you want an awesomely, delicious sandwich!

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Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • Pesto
  • 34 ounces asparagus, ends trimmed ( about 1/2 bunch)
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • coconut oil spray
  • 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • Sandwiches
  • 4 slices of bread
  • 8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • About 2 cups cooked chicken
  • Sliced red onion
  • About 2 cups cooked chicken ( any left over chicken will do )

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spray baking sheet with coconut oil spray. Chop asparagus and toss onto to pan in one even layer. Add the peeled garlic cloves. Roast in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  3. In a food processor, puree together the asparagus, garlic cloves, Parmesan, almonds, and basil. Drizzle in olive oil process until smooth and paste-like. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Spray bread slices with coconut oil spray on both sides.
  5. Place bread on a grill pan, or skillet, over medium heat, to toast bread slices. Once both sides are golden brown, place cheese on bread, layer with sun dried tomatoes, chicken, and red onion slices.
  6. On the other slices of bread smear the Asparagus pesto. Top the other bread with this one to form the sandwich.
  7. Remove from skillet slice and enjoy!

 

Italian Marinated Cheese

Italian Marinated Cheese

Italian Marinated Cheese

Cheese and crackers are an easy, go-to appetizer for any type of party, because after all who doesn’t like  cheese. No matter what type of event you go to, the traditional cheese and cracker plate is there……so how about making it something to remember……..???

Italian Marinated Cheese is several things:

  • Easy to make
  • Easy to take along
  • Stores for several weeks
  • Looks elegant
  • Is super tasty

With the holidays or anytime you  are in charge of bringing the cheese tray, make up a batch of this cheese.

I purchased cheese that was already cubed……..because, even with my cheese knife ……..one of my favorite tools…….its still a pain in the a#@ to cut cheese and make it all perfect little cubes. Let the people who make the cheese, cut the cheese….tee hee……….but seriously, it makes this recipe super easy. Place all the cubes in a single layer in a dish about 2 inches in depth.

The marinade  is a simple vinaigrette with Italian seasoning, red peppers, green onions, garlic, oil and vinegar. The green onions and red peppers give it a festive look and add a great taste to the marinade.

Once you have the cheese in the dish and the marinade made, pour the marinade over the cheese and let it set for at least 8 hours so the flavors really get into the cheese.

Italian Marinated Cheese

Then when cheese tray duty calls, just put the Italian  Marinated Cheese in a pretty container and serve with some nice crackers. Some fresh fruit on the side adds to the elegance, and you will be the talk of the party……..it will be our little secret about how easy it was……..;)

Italian Marinated Cheese Collage

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Italian Marinated Cheese

Italian Marinated Cheese

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cups 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Marinade
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 18-oz package of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese cubes (about 2 cups)
  • 18-oz package of Cheddar Cheese cubes (about 2 cups)
  • Marinade:
  • 1/2 c. olive oil
  • 1/2 c. white wine vinegar
  • 3 T. chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 T. minced green onions
  • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup minced red pepper
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients and whisk until the mixture is emulsified, set aside.
  2. Arrange cheese cubes in a single layer in a shallow baking dish.
  3. Pour marinade over cheese slices.  Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours.
  4. To serve, transfer cheese to a serving dish, spoon marinade over the cheese.  Serve with assorted crackers.

Keywords: cheese, appetizer, red pepper, spice, make ahead, easy