I’m in the US with my daughter and husband and their brand new baby. I could post dozens of baby photos every day but tempting as that is, I’ll try and mix it up a bit. My other main activities here are enjoying the scenery and fall colors, and helping out with meals. We definitely eat well in Panama but here I have access to some different things, and this is a vegetarian household so I get to experiment with different ideas.
Today I made open face sandwiches for and was very happy with how they turned out.
To make sandwiches for three or four people you will need –
- Bread – sandwich rolls sliced lengthwise, or some nice hearty loaf sliced up, something that will toast up nicely with crunchy edges
- mayonnaise to spread on the bread
- 1/2 pound of feta cheese, crumbled
- a thinly sliced tomato, or two if they are small
- a few tablespoons of seasoned bread crumbs (optional)
- 1/4 – 1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese, grated
- lemon juice (from about 1/2 a lemon)
- vegetables – I used a garlic clove, 1/4 red onion, 1/2 green pepper, a couple mushrooms, a zucchini, half a yellow squash, and a big handful of spinach
Turn the oven on to broil
Slice the vegetables thinly and saute in a bit of oil, starting with the garlic, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. When they are starting to look cooked, add the squash. When the squash is almost done add the spinach and saute until wilted. The idea is to get all the veggies to about the same level of lightly cooked at the same time.
While the veggies are cooking spread the mayo on the bread, and then sprinkle on the feta cheese. Toast in the broiler until the cheese is starting to melt and the edges of the bread are toasted. Remove from oven.
Slice the tomato(s) thinly and grate the mozzarella cheese.
Put the veggie mixture on the bread. Arrange the tomato slices on top, sprinkle with seasoned bread crumbs and lemon juice. Top with grated mozzarella. Return to the broiler until the cheese is melted and if you prefer, lightly browned.
Remove from broiler and enjoy!
I could easily make these in Panama too. We would have to hunt a bit for mushrooms and we don’t have spinach but everything else is readily available in the supermarket or vegetable stand. And, you can make it with any veggies you prefer and I’m sure it would be great with any number of combinations.
Bien provecho!
The Panama Adventure 
Oh yum! Slap all that on a slice of gluten free bread for me and you’ve got yourself a deal!
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That should work just fine! 🙂
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Oh, how I miss a broiler setting on my stove in Nicaragua. These sandwiches look yummy!
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Hmm, I wonder if there is a work around. Or, just baking enough to warm them well should do it too
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Sounds and looks delicious! We are vegetarian/fish eaters. Hubby doesn’t eat dairy or eggs (I do) so we have an eclectic mix, haha.
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I can understand that. My husband is a meat and potatoes guy, and I was vegetarian most of my adult life so we made compromises and learned new things in the kitchen. I never could find an acceptable cheese substitute though, and I don’t think these sandwiches would be the same without the cheese.
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That’s NOT FOOD. That’s the food MY FOOD EATS!
Actually it DOES look yummy!
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ha! Well you can eat veggies once in a while just for variety 😀
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I love veggies and that sounds delicious. Hubby would never eat it though.
So there’s no spinach in Panama? Really? I use spinach to make my salads and also in place of lettuce on bread. Maybe you should take some seeds back with you.
And no broilers either? I wonder if you could use a toaster oven. Just a thought.
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There is something they call spinach but it isn’t the same, and I haven’t seen it very often. It’s way too warm for spinach where I live. I would think they could grow it in the mountains but apparently there isn’t enough of a market. There are all kinds of lettuce but no spinach. I used to eat it a lot too, but I figure you adjust to what is available where you are.
We have a regular stove with a broiler and I think they are readily available. Apparently my friend in Ometepe Island, Nicaragua doesn’t have a broiler though. Yes, good idea, a toaster oven should work fine too.
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