Chopped BLT Sandwiches

Posted on July 6, 2023 by admin

This chopped and dressed format of a BLT is pure bliss – you get the best bite every time! A sub roll would better contain the little pieces but these small brioche ones were calling to me as the right size – smaller than a traditional one, bigger than a slider…the perfect lunch size I tell you.

The Three Bite Rule - Chopped BLT Sandwich

Chopped BLT Sandwiches
Ingredients: (for 1-2 sandwiches)
4 strips of bacon (or rough equivalent of pancetta, prosciutto, etc)
1-2 cups lettuce
1/2 tomato
1/2 avocado
cheese (optional)
pickles (optional)
1-2 teaspoons mayo
1 teaspoon oil & red wine vinegar (or Italian dressing)
2 buns or rolls

Directions:
Chop then pan-fry the bacon (or other B replacement of the BLT). Drain and discard the drippings.

Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and cheese/pickles/anything else you’re adding.

Mix in mayo and oil and vinegar or dressing and toss well.

Serve on the rolls and spread more avocado on them or toast them, or serve them as they are.
Enjoy!

Italian ones will be up next! Or maybe caprese! Or chicken caesar! I love that this format would easily use leftovers or be a good way to not need a whole chicken piece per person or whatever.

These would be great on-the-go with the mixture in a container and spooned into rolls when serving. I picture a sunny day when we head to the pool or beach and bring along this instant lunch/dinner! Ok, off to the pool.

Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Grilled Sandwich

Posted on April 12, 2023 by admin

All our loves together on one sandwich – chicken thighs get sprinkled with ranch, grilled, and topped with cheese and bacon, plus more ranch for good measure.

The Three Bite Rule - Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Sandwich

I loved this. We eat grilled chicken often so putting it on a bun didn’t seem like a big variation. One kid said they’d rather it be a burger & the other ate it disassembled. Cool, cool.

Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Sandwiches
Ingredients: (for 4)
3-4 chicken thighs
1 tablespoon ranch mix powder
4 brioche buns
4 slices of cheese (mine was an herb fontina)
2 bacon strips/2 tablespoons bacon crumbles
4 tablespoons ranch dressing

Directions:
Sprinkle the chicken with ranch mix and a sprinkle of pepper, on both sides.
Grill until cooked through – 170-degrees on the thermometer.
Slice cheese, buns, lettuce and get bacon crumbles and ranch dressing ready.

Melt the cheese over the chicken and remove from the grill.
Assemble with ranch on each side of the buns, lettuce, the chicken, and bacon.

Yum! I loved this. The littlest kiddo had hers without bacon (what?) and ate the parts separately (but mmmm’ed so that seemed fine) and big brother ate about half then wished it was a burger but finished the bun and most of the chicken.

It’d work well in a wrap too!

We had it with a side of tomato & mozzarella & pesto salad which the kids love.

Cheeseburger Burrito

Posted on March 8, 2023 by admin

I love anything in a burrito format – sometimes I call them hot wraps if there isn’t any rice. This one was such a winner and a great way for beloved flavors in winter, on the go, or just to shake things up. I did Thanksgiving inspired ones and a Chicken & Broccoli with rice one, and Chicken, Bacon & Ranch ones too.

Cheeseburger Burrito - The Three Bite Rule

These are a great use for small quantities of leftovers: like rice and ground meat. They can always become rice bowls too.

Cheeseburger Burrito:
Ingredients: (for 2)
1/2 pound ground meat
2 strips of bacon, chopped
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or liquid smoke
1/2 cup prepared rice
2 cups arugula, spinach, or baby kale
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato
pickles, ketchup, mustard

Directions:
Pan fry the ground meat and bacon and drain the grease. Add in worcestershire sauce/liquid smoke and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Cover (with plastic wrap or lid) and warm the rice.

Chop the tomato, greens, and pickles.
Lay out the tortillas and top with rice, cheese, ground meat and bacon, greens, tomatoes, pickles, and drizzles of ketchup and mustard or toppings as you wish.

Warm a pan to medium heat and a drizzle of oil or non-stick spray.
Fold two opposite sides and roll the burrito onto itself and keep tucking the sides in.
Pan fry the burritos, seam side down first, until warmed through and toasted until golden on the outside. Use tongs to keep them rolled while toasting.

Enjoy!

I loved this. The smaller amount of meat is nicely balanced with rice and fresh elements in this way versus as a tiny slider. I love the warm parts and melty cheese with fresh greens, tomatoes, and pickles.

Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

Posted on January 4, 2023 by admin

Be fully awake before indulging in these breakfast sandwiches. They are flavor packed with a smoky bacon aioli, soft and garlicky Texas toast and some fresh arugula because, well, I can’t help myself. Arugula goes with everything for me.

Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich
Ingredients: (for 2 sandwiches)
1 slice of bacon, crumbled (or bits)
2 teaspoons mayo
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
4 slices of Texas Toast Garlic Bread
2 eggs
2 slices of cheese
1-2 cups baby arugula (or spinach, or sliced tomato)

The Three Bite Rule - Ultimate Bfast Sandwich

Directions:
Mix together the crumbled bacon, mayo, maple syrup, and liquid smoke.

Toast the Texas toast- both sides are flavored with the butter & garlic so be sure to flip once.
Optional: chop the arugula/greens and dress it in oil/vinegar, if desired.
Pan fry the eggs and top with cheese to melt.
Assemble with the Texas toast, arugula, egg and cheese, and a spread of maple bacon aioli.

Enjoy! I love the gooey cheese and the crunch from the greens. The Texas toast is greasy from the butter spread so I broke the yolks to keep it from being messier.

Breakfast sandwiches are my love language (just see here) and I made one on Texas toast circa 2016 but this one is majorly upgraded. It is so so good and easy enough to have the Texas toast on hand in the freezer and to mix the up aioli in advance if you wanted to! We had leftover slices with Pizza Beans another night.

Liquid smoke is also great in chili, pulled pork, bbq sauce, burgers, sloppy joes, and anything with a plant-based meat substitute. It lasts forever and you only use a little at a time. Or for this one a substitute of Worcestershire sauce would be good instead!

Better Eggplant Parm Subs

Posted on April 13, 2022 by admin

These eggplant parm subs are show-stoppers. They’re better than average – not because I made my own breaded eggplant, ohh no, but because there’s so much flavor and texture here. Arugula adds the freshness and crunch this needs and fresh mozzarella gives some bite and some melty pull you will just love.

The Three Bite Rule - Eggplant Parm Subs

Breading eggplant is tough to get right – I find it frozen at Trader Joe’s and Aldi, sometimes it is prepped in refrigerated areas at Wegman’s, and Costco has had it, but not regularly.

Eggplant Parm Subs
Ingredients: (for 2 subs)
~4-6 small slices per sub breaded eggplant
2 small sub rolls
~1/2 cup tomato sauce
~4 oz fresh mozzarella
2 cups baby arugula
2 tablespoons Italian dressing

Directions:
Preheat the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer to 400-degrees. Bake/air fry the eggplant until golden brown and well crisped – about 10 minutes.
Warm the sauce, slice the cheese, and toss the arugula in dressing.
Slice the roll and spread some tomato sauce onto it then layer on the eggplant and fresh mozzarella.
Return to the oven/toaster/air fryer to melt the cheese.

Then top with greens and enjoy!

I loved this. As takeout, it is always so soggy. The sauce, crispy eggplant and the cheese make it comforting but the fresh crunchy greens with bright dressing bring life to it! Don’t skip the fresh mozzarella – it elevates this really nicely.

Subs are great to make one or two – all in the toaster oven or air fryer! I wouldn’t make them in advance, but everything but the greens could be frozen.