I’m giving a Tex-Mex spin on a classic Italian-American dish that we all know and love. If you’ve ever been to any old school pizza parlor, then chances are you’ve probably had your fair share of meatball subs. Perhaps, you’ve made them at home countless of times? Chewy bread filled with meatballs, marinara sauce and lots of mozzarella cheese—what’s not to love about that? Absolutely nothing. Although I’m a big fan of the classic, I wanted to take things a step further and make these Tex-Mex Meatball Subs. Why? Because it just seemed like the right thing to do. These crusty rolls are filled with taco-spiced meatballs and pepper jack cheese, and then topped with a spicy slaw, avocado, cotija cheese, pickled jalapeños and a spicy crema. It’s a recipe you never knew you needed but won’t be able to live without. Did I mention they come together quickly and without much fuss? That’s what makes them so great, aside from their taste of course.
…
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. 
4th of July is right around the corner, and in case you weren’t aware of it, it just so happens to be one of my favorite holidays. Sure it’s partly because of the fireworks, and partly because of the red, white and blue everywhere, but it’s mostly for all of the summer BBQ foods we get devour on this particular day. It’s a time for grilled burgers, hot dogs, chips and dips, and let’s not forget buffalo wings. Although, now that I think about it, we’re always looking for excuses to eat buffalo wings. Well, I’m here to tell you that you really don’t need an excuse. Go ahead and eat all of the buffalo chicken dishes your heart desires. These loaded buffalo chicken sammies take sweet Hawaiian rolls and fills them with a delicious salad of chicken, celery, carrots, bleu cheese, red onion, ranch and of course buffalo hot sauce. It’s the perfect bite of sweet and savory. They’re also topped with crushed blue corn tortilla chips because I’m forever in love with chips in my sandwiches, and something tells me you just might be too. Make these for your 4th of July gathering!
