I have a huge confession to make, and I think I would just feel so much better if I were to confess it here to you. After all, I do think this is a safe space so I feel like I can say anything without judgement, right? The truth is I don’t really care for sushi. That’s to say, I don’t like raw sushi or hand rolls, and really the only kind of sushi I do enjoy, if you can call it sushi at all, are basic cut rolls like California Roll or Shrimp Tempura Roll and I’m sure I’ve just insulted many people, and I’m sorry! The other problem I have with sushi is that I feel like you spend a lot of money on it and then about 20 minutes later you’re just hungry all over again and so you end up eating another meal altogether. With all that being said, I do have a soft spot, like I said, for a California roll, as basic as that is, and so these California Roll Jars are the ultimate meal on the go. They’re fun to eat and great for parties. Let’s all get into it!
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When I think of the ultimate comfort food, my mind automatically goes straight to chicken pot pie. When I think of chicken pot pie, I instantly think of winter because it’s usually what I make on a cold night when I’m trying to warm us up with a comforting and filling dish. The trouble is that I crave it during the summer months as well, but don’t make it because it’s a bit too rich for summer. This is where these Chicken Pot Pie Sandwiches come into play. They’re a cross between a classic chicken salad with mayo and a comforting chicken pot pie, the kind with biscuits baked right on top. It’s a dream come true if you really think about it, and the perfect summer dish to make all season long.
If you’re not familiar with what tortas are, they’re a Mexican sandwich made with all sorts of different delicious fillings. The best part is that they can be eaten hot or cold, are extremely versatile and are made with the most incredible bread. If you’ve never had a Mexican bolillo, warm out of the oven, I’m here to tell you that you’re missing out. On a separate side note, a torta can also refer to a cake, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t be mad at either of these dishes. These Spicy Pinto Bean and Ham Tortas are one of the easiest sandwiches you’ll ever make. It requires practically no cooking and can be made as a quick weeknight dinner, a light weekend lunch or even a perfect picnic treat. The real star of the show however, is the spicy pinto bean spread that starts simply with a can of pinto beans, which you probably already have in your pantry, and if you don’t, then you should start stocking up because these sandwiches are a dream come true.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m currently learning Italian at the local community college right by my house. The class is a couple days a week. I get to ride my bike there and it’s the perfect break from all the work I do in the kitchen and on the computer on a daily basis. Not only am I enjoying learning the language, but I’ve become fascinated with the Italian culture itself and it’s people. There’s just something so warm and inviting about both. Having been to Italy twice now, I’ve had the chance to eat some really amazing food there. One of my favorite things is not fancy at all and can be found in tiny corner sandwich shops. Piadina (or Piadine when it’s plural) is an Italian flatbread prepared in the Emilia-Romagna region. The flatbread is filled with a variety of cheeses, cold cuts and/or vegetables. It’s traditionally made with lard, but I’ve made this one with vegetable shortening instead, to make it attainable for us all. It’s a fun weekend project to get in the kitchen and try out!
If there’s a club sandwich on the menu, I will never not order it…or at the very least, never not consider ordering it. I’ll usually try to convince myself that getting the club is the best option. There’s just something so amazing about a sandwich with three slices of bread, just loaded with bacon, roasted turkey, ham, mayo and of course finished with lettuce and tomato because we do make healthy choices in life. Turkey clubs remind me of being a child and going to the local diner and feeling like an adult when the massive sandwich with a big mountain of fries was placed in front of me. Don’t even get me started with the sword toothpicks because let’s be honest, that was one of the main reasons why I loved ordering them. What kid (or certain adults) wouldn’t love a tiny plastic sword holding your food in place?! It’s a dream come true. These Turkey Club Sandwiches are also a dream come true, and now there’s no need to venture out to your local diner to get subpar food. I know it might seem like a turkey club is so simple to make and how could you really mess it up? I’m here to tell you that you can most definitely take some wrong turns, but luckily you’ll be good to go from now on. 
I think I’ve mentioned a few times here and there that I don’t really have much of a sweet tooth. Sure, I’ll enjoy something sweet every now and then, but I don’t really crave it as often as you think. I believe this is from years of working in a bakery when I was in high school and college. The main reason is because I would much rather have a second helping of something savory, like chips or fries, rather than to save room for dessert. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good classic cinnamon roll, but something but a savory “cinnamon” roll just really appeals to me. I’ve made a few over the years, the first were these 
