Quick Lunch or Dinner – Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches

Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches – version 1 –  Tomato, Bacon & Cheese

Hot Open-Faced Sandwiches – Version 2 – Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches

+++ Update – I bet “Version 2” would really be good with bits of cooked bacon or ham mixed in!  Actually, so would a bit tuna,, salami or turkey etc. 

Any time of day is a good time for an open-faced sandwich. And a sandwich is particularly good when it’s adorned with melted cheese! These Melted Cheese,Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches – and the Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches – are super easy and yummy.

With the addition of a green salad, cold slaw, potato salad or sliced avocado drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, both the Melted Cheese,Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches and the Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches are perfect for an easy dinner.

(1) Melted Cheese, Tomato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwiches – Uses toaster oven  – or toaster and broiler

Recently I went through I time where I was kind of “addicted” to these sandwiches.  I like to spread a bit of mayonnaise on these babies once they’re heated up. And that’s part of why my cholesterol is so high – my total fascination with all things mayonnaise.

HOW TO —  Lightly toast two English Muffins – cut in half. Place a ripe & juicy tomato slice on top of each of the halves of English muffin. On top of the tomato, place a few slices of cooked bacon. Place a slice of Swiss cheese – or any cheese of your choice – on top of the bacon.  (I like to sprinkle on a bit of oregano on top of the cheese but you can sprinkle on anything you like.)

Turn toaster oven to BROIL and broil until cheese is melted.   ++ Make sure you keep your eye on your sandwiches, broilers seem to wait until your back is turned, then they immediately burn your lunch! Recipe makes 4 sandwiches.

2 – Warm & Puffy Open-Faced Cheese Sandwiches – OR – Appetizers  Uses toaster oven – or toaster and broiler

++ UPDATE – – – I highly recommend grating the cheese using a block of cheese. The pre-shredded cheese sold in the diary section doesn’t have the same taste as freshly grated cheese & the sandwiches don’t ‘puff up’ in the same way.

++ For Sandwiches – These sandwiches are rich and filling – and would be great for a brunch as well as lunch. If you add a salad, you’ve got a quick dinner idea! It’s pretty cool how the filling puffs up a bit as it heats up.  Recipe makes 6 open-faced sandwiches.

++ For Appetizers  Prepare as usual. Once they come out of the broiler, cut each English muffin into 1/4’s and there you go – a delicious hot appetizer!!

  Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 cups hard cheese, grated – such as Cheddar   (You can use pretty much any time of hard cheese, except for cheeses with a very strong flavor. Mozzarella – or any other type of soft cheese – is not recommended.)
• 1/8 cup mayonnaise
  
• a few sprinkles of Mrs. Dash
• sprinkle on a little Paprika – for color
• 3 English Muffins, cut in half to give you 6  halves – toasted

In a bowl, mix until well-blended; 1 egg, 2 cups grated hard cheese, 1/8 cup mayonnaise and a few sprinkles of Mrs. Dash & Italian Seasonings – or any seasonings you like.

Lightly toast 6 English Muffin halves. Spread egg/cheese mixture evenly on top of the toasted English muffins or toast. Broil until cheese mixture is hot and bubbling. It doesn’t get much easier than that!   Enjoy!