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Sandwiches to Love
One of my favorite things to do in spring is picnicking. I’ve taken sandwiches everywhere from scenic mountain tops to riversides to local parks, and now that the sun is here to stay for a while, I’m constantly looking for new sandwich recipes, especially ones that will survive a car ride or a short hike.
Picnicking is a great date option, a fun way to take a group outing with friends or co-workers, or just a nice way to spend a free day alone. The following recipes provide delicious sandwiches that are easily wrapped and portable, so that fresh outdoor eating is as enjoyable as possible. And since I’m seriously into avocado (not only is it packed with nutrients and flavor, but it is surprisingly resilient and has proven itself to hold up well in my day-pack) I’ve included plenty of this as well.
Whether you’re taking a romantic date to the countryside or simply going for a solo day hike, make sure to bring along lunch that will impress. These sandwich recipes are easily made at home and include tons of meat and veggie power to help you battle the elements, be they steep hills or awkward date conversation. As for me, I mostly stick to relaxing in the sun, but of course you need fuel for that.
Smoked Mozzarella Watermelon Pumps
California Avocado, Rosemary Chicken, and Pancetta Panini
Caribbean Fish Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Two Meaty Sandwiches
The Spicy Italian
Ingredients:
½ sourdough baguette or panini bread
1 oz. Columbus Prosciutto
1 oz. Columbus Hot Coppa
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. pepperoncini, chopped
The Classic
Ingredients:
½ baguette or 1 demi baguette, sliced lengthwise
2 oz. Columbus Sopressata
2 oz. Columbus Genoa
1-2 slices Columbus Provolone
½ oz. black olive tapenade
1 leaf Romaine lettuce
2 slices tomato
Smoked Mozzarella Watermelon Pumps
California Avocado, Rosemary Chicken, and Pancetta Panini
Caribbean Fish Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Ingredients:
8 Snapper or grouper filets
Egg wash – as needed
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Salt and freshly ground pepper – to taste
Vegetable oil – as needed
8 Sandwich rolls*
1 California avocado
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa (see recipe, below)
*16 slices of crusty bread may be subsituted
Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Ingredients:
1 Pineapple, unpeeled, sliced
Vegetable oil – as needed
1 large ripe, fresh California avocado, cut into chunks
½ cup chopped red onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 Jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 ½ tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 ½ tbsp. rum
1 tsp. grated lime zest
Salt and freshly ground pepper – to taste
Instructions:
METHOD
Dip fish fillets in egg wash. Combine cornmeal, coconut, salt and pepper on tray; coat fillets with mixture on both sides.
Heat 1/2-inch oil in large skillet. Add fish and fry until golden and crisp.
Mash avocado with lime juice and mayonnaise until smooth. Lightly toast rolls or bread and spread avocado mixture on bottom half. Top with a fish fillet and Avocado-Pineapple Salsa; cover with tops of rolls or another bread slice.
Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa:
METHOD
Brush pineapple slices lightly with oil and place on medium-hot grill or in grill pan. Grill 3 to 5 minutes per side or until lightly browned with grill marks.
Peel pineapple and cut into small pieces. Combine pineapple and remaining ingredients for salsa; toss to combine. Reserve.
Smoked Mozzarella Watermelon Pumps
Ingredients:
6 boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
Olive oil, as needed
2 tsp.finely chopped fresh rosemary
3 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 Califoria avocado*
1 Tbsp.lemon juice
1 tsp.finely chopped lemon zest
Salt, as needed
Pepper, as needed
3 Tbsp.mayonnaise
12 pieces focaccia, about 4″ X 5″ each
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
6 slices (rounds) pancetta (Italian bacon), fried crisp. Two to three slices of bacon may be substituted for each slice of pancetta.
Arugula leaves as needed
Instructions:
Pound each chicken breast half to an even thickness, about 3/8 “. To pound chicken, put 1 breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound with mallet or the flat side of a French knife to desired thickness, repeat with remaining chicken.
Lightly coat each piece with olive oil; rub each with some of the rosemary and garlic.
Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to 12.
To prepare sandwiches:
Roughly mash avocado; stir in lemon juice and zest; reserve.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
In a frying pan lightly filmed with olive oil, pan-grill chicken until just firm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes per side; reserve.
Spread a generous tablespoon of the avocado mixture on 6 pieces of focaccia; spread 1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise on remaining pieces of focaccia, mayonnaise-side down.
Lightly film a large, hot frying pan with olive oil.
Pan grill sandwiches, lightly pressing down on each with a spatula, as they cook, until focaccia is browned on the bottom.
Turn; repeat procedure.
Cut each sandwich in half diagonally.
*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.
Smoked Mozzarella Watermelon Pumps
Caribbean Fish Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Smoked Mozzarella Watermelon Pumps
Ingredients:
11/4 cup honey Dijon mustard
8 small Hawaiian or soft pumpernickel rolls, split
8 (1/4-inch thick) slices smoked mozzarella cheese*
8 slices seedless watermelon the same size as the cheese slices, drained to remove excess moisture
1 cup fresh alfalfa sprouts
Instructions:
Spread the mustard on each of the cut sizes of the rolls. Place a slice of cheese and watermelon on top of each roll bottom and divide the sprouts over the watermelon slices. Place the top of the roll over the sprouts.
Smoked fresh mozzarella cheese can be found with specialty or gourmet cheeses at most supermarkets. It comes in ovals about 3 inches in diameter, which is the perfect size for this recipe. If the smoked mozzarella available in your market is larger, cut in half and use half-moon shapes. Plain fresh mozzarella can be substituted but the smoky flavor is terrific in the recipe. If you use plain fresh mozzarella cheese, add a drop or two of liquid smoke to the honey Dijon.
Servings:
8 appetizer sandwiches
California Avocado, Rosemary Chicken, and Pancetta Panini
Caribbean Fish Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Bytes of Reality: Daniel Douke
Daniel Douke’s Bytes of Reality collection can be particularly frustrating and mind-bending to take in. At first glance, it seems as though shipping boxes and product packaging have been placed within glass cases, put there as found art for us to reflect upon.
But a closer look reveals these pieces as actual paintings, rendered in such detail and texture to resemble discarded cardboard. The backs of the paintings are visible, so that a viewer can see that Douke has painted on traditional canvas stretched over a wooden frame.
I often found myself peering closely at all the pieces, trying to decipher some way in which Douke left clues of the impossibility of his task. I found it on the side of a Mac Book box, where his rendering of tiny photographs made it inconceivable to capture the detail in a real photo, no matter how small. The brushwork was accurate, but not photographic, and I took relief in the fact that I had found details of what I called “human capacity.” Besides this one tiny thumbprint of an image, every smudge, every rip, every hastily-applied piece of tape was painted on all too realistically. The effect was awe-inspiring once I got over my initial skepticism.
My favorite piece was, I initially (and wrongly) believed, a plastic folding table without legs propped up on the wall. I have the same table in my garage-it has been folded in storage for years. But, like all of Douke’s pieces, he got me again.
I shouldn’t have been tricked, really. It was one of the last pieces in the exhibit, and I should have known better. But yet again, it took me a second to realize that he had not, in fact, propped a table top against a wall and called it art. Once again, it was painted canvas, rendered in such exquisite detail as to capture the grainy, plastic texture and the faint lines that ran around the “table’s” edge. Another particularly stunning piece was a half-painted piece of plywood-which, of course, is not plywood, but rather a canvas painted to make you believe it could give you splinters.
I left the exhibit wanting to see more of his work. I wanted to touch every piece, to feel the texture of the canvas beneath my fingertips while seeing something else. Douke’s pieces are incredible-he leaves nothing out. I think he must enjoy the initial scoffs he gets from people who believe he is trying to sell old Fiji water cases and Amazon shipping boxes as art. He must enjoy the jaw drops even more when these same skeptics realize what they are looking at.
There is something to be said, also, about where Douke calls home. As a Southern California artist, it seems apt that he should deal with themes of reality and pseudo-reality in his work. Southern California has often been accused as a shallow place, home to the fakery of Hollywood and the illusions created on the movie screens. He seems to play with these ideas, making us question the real, the artificial, the mimicked and the mimicker. Daniel Douke’s “Bytes of Reality” is a real treat, especially for those with an interest in realist art.
Bytes of Reality by Daniel Douke is on display at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California through July 17, 2011. Visit CrockerArtMuseum.org for more information.
Cougardom: Are "Cubs" the New Toy Chihuahua?
“Cougardom” is a rising trend in the United States. More and more women are claiming to be “Cougars,” those defined as women who only date younger men, frequenting clubs and bars where single, independent men are readily available. Celebrities like Demi Moore have brought Cougardom to the masses, and TV shows like ABC’s Cougar Town flaunt the fun, sexy side of relishing your age while rejecting its societal restrictions.
While the perks of Cougardom may seem enticing, particularly to single women trying to avoid the pressure of settling down, problems with these relationships are deeply seeded. More often than not, a Cougar-Cub relationship fizzles out for many of the same reasons that age-balanced relationships do: the desires of the involved parties change, creating a rift of understanding and a breach of arrangement. Dr. Carole Lieberman discusses this problem in her latest book, Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets. According to the book, while older women may be open to having a casual, highly physical relationship with a younger man, her needs change as she grows closer to her Cub. Eventually, a Cougar realizes she is just like other women-she wants to be cared for, and starts looking to her Cub to provide for her.
This shift in attitude comes as a surprise to a young man looking for a fling with a sexually experienced, older woman. The silent agreement made by both parties relied on mutual aspects, things like the desire for sex and companionship without serious commitment. The Cub may have even believed that his new found Cougar would provide for him, since she is most likely established in her career while he is still newly rooted in his own. Suddenly, the arrangement is corrupted, leaving both parties feeling cheated.
Despite the fact that Cougar-Cub relationships have a reputedly short shelf-life, they seem to be growing in popularity. With advancements in health and beauty, like Botox and an increased interest in middle-aged fitness, women are less likely to give up their looks and take to the life of the house and home. Women are discovering that they can prolong their beauty, and even compete with the twenty-somethings in areas of physical fitness and looks. They even have some advantages: sexual prowess, an inherent refusal to play the mind games their younger counterparts are so famous for, and an independence that men of all ages find sexy. With this winning combination, why shouldn’t a woman play the field, and why should she stick to her own age group?
The problem comes not because a younger man and an older woman happen to fall in love. Love is notorious for spanning many boundaries, age being one of the more insignificant ones. The danger of Cougardom lies not only in the breached mutual agreement, but the unavoidable insecurities both parties carry, as well. In an interview with Dr. Lieberman, she describes the jealousies that get in the way of happiness.
“Women [in a Cougar-Cub relationship] can sabotage it because they have doubts as they get older. [The Cougar] tends to push away the man before he can dump her. She is always trying to keep some distance.”
Insecurities in a Cougar-Cub relationship are not only brought by the Cougar. A young man earning less than his more established significant other may feel inadequate in his own way. Dr. Lieberman weighs in on the money issue, by saying, “It’s not always a money thing. However, with the recession, there is a new phenomenon of guys looking for women with money, whether they are older or not.”
Regardless of whether a man feels comfortable relying on a woman, the social ideal of men as the breadwinners is too deeply rooted in history and biology to just disappear, despite the new validity of Cougardom. This issue will likely be raised in a relationship where the man cannot provide for his woman.
While there are many factors working against the success of the Cougar-Cub relationship, there are undoubtedly many happy couples who exist under such a label, and hats off to them for working against the odds. It takes two very secure people and impeccable communication for most relationships to work, and the Cougar-Cub one seems to need special attention. While this kind of relationship can exist within the sphere of functionality, it seems that women who claim themselves as Cougars, women who are only satisfied by the virility and enthusiasm of younger men, are particularly dysfunctional. Dr. Lieberman would agree, as an entire chapter of her book is devoted to classifying Cougars as one of twelve types of “bad girls.” Like all types of bad girls, the Cougar is settling.
“The bad girl has given up on finding love. She is trying to convince herself that settling is just as good,” says Dr. Lieberman. She explains that bad girls of all kinds are just trying to fulfill a need. With Cougars, it is the need to feel young and sexy again. Ultimately, the Cougar’s relationship revolves around a kind of selfishness, a desire to fill her needs without thinking about her partner’s.
In the mid-2000′s, Paris Hilton started toting a Chihuahua dog, holding the tiny thing up to her face to take pictures. Her pooch was as much an accessory as it was a companion, if not more so. Needless to say, Chihuahuas became increasingly popular as pets. It is difficult to avoid drawing the comparison with the Cougar trend, as in the most dysfunctional of these relationships, the young man is nothing more than a studly accessory on a woman’s arm.
Perhaps most disturbing is the enjoyment taken by some of these Cubs. They are both willing to be a toy and willing to use their Cougars as toys. As this trend gains traction, the hope is that America won’t suddenly see hundreds of men cast off from their Cougars’ arms, replaced by the newest model.
Despite their tendency toward dysfunctionality, some of these relationships do stand a chance. As with every relationship, honesty is key, and can make even the most unlikely matches fit. It is a blessing that love and companionship can span age, geographical, and socioeconomic boundaries. So Cougars beware: you may just be swept off your feet by the next Silver Fox who comes along. Don’t forget to look beyond his years, to give him a chance.
About the Expert:
Dr. Carole Lieberman is a three-time Emmy award-winner and author of the bestselling book Bad Boys: Why We Love Them, How to Live with Them and When to Leave Them. In Bad Boys, Dr. Carole reveals how women can turn frogs into princes, how to avoid unhealthy relationships, and how men addicted to heartbreak can find true love. She can be heard live every Tuesday as the host of the popular talk show Dr. Carole’s Couch on VoiceAmerica.com. Dr. Carole also maintains a star-studded private practice in Beverly Hills, and works as a psychiatric expert witness, testifying in high profile trials.
In her newest book Bad Girls, Dr. Carole warns men to beware of the 12 types of dangerous damsels and reveals the appeal of the most famous bad girls of all time.
Bad Girls includes over 100 shocking and intimate interviews with men who were hooked on bad girls and how it ruined their lives. Men discover how susceptible they are to being put under a bad girl’s spell by taking “The Sitting Duck Test” and learn tips to avoid falling prey to a bad girl. Similarly, women take “The Bad Girl Test” to reveal if they are a Wanna-Be Bad Girl, a Man-Eater, or somewhere in between. For wanna-be bad girls, Dr. Carole helps good girls discover bad girl secrets, so that men will fall at their feet without breaking their hearts.
Fixing What's Broke: Single Ladies Edition
With the emergence of the sun, wildflowers, and bikini-clad bodies, spring makes an entrance into our world that has us all rushing to spend time outside. Many of us, however, will condemn ourselves to hours upon hours of spring cleaning. While this often makes for back-breaking labor that hardly seems worth it at the time, the chance to see your home in its best light is a beacon at the end of the tunnel. Whether your spring madness entails head-to-toe sweeping, mopping, and polishing, or just a quick once-over with the vacuum, there are some things that call for attention every year – those old, beat up appliances that are taking up room in the garage or yard, waiting to be fixed.
Let me guess: always had a big strong man around to do those nasty chores for you? I can relate. But don’t go running to the first guy you can pay, just yet.
You can take the easy way out and call a specialist, someone who can get the job done without you having to take a second look. You write the check, by the end of the day that weight on your shoulders is lifted, and you were able to spend the entire day completing the rest of your lengthy to-do list.
Or, you could take it upon yourself to do that one dirty, sweaty chore you’ve been avoiding for months.
I recently had the pleasure of cleaning out my hot-tub, a task so daunting and ugly that I had put it off for seven months. Perhaps it was the April sun that made me slightly delirious. Something or other that day made the prospect of scrubbing down a slug-infested jacuzzi so enticing.
I’d had the thing installed several years ago. My boyfriend at the time had wanted it, and we used it plenty, at first. He did everything for that tub in terms of maintenance. Lucky me. But come winter, we neglected it for long enough that it eventually became too grimy to even look at. When we broke up, neither of us had wanted to deal with it.
But this spring, I had some sort of divine inspiration that compelled me to make something useful out of this old space-waster in my backyard.
I had to begin first by draining out the cold, mucky water that came up all the way to the top. Finding the drain spout was a chore within itself. Siphoning out the water from the bottom of the tub meant a few squirts in the face with dirty water, but eventually the tub was empty, leaving a coating of rotten leaves, slug corpses, and unidentifiable grime.
Then came the scrubbing. This, of course, made for a new, soapier muck that made its way to the very bottom, the impossible-to-drain part of the tub that required the assistance of several absorbent towels. Watching my perfect pedicure chip and dull was just a price I’d have to pay for working like a man.
I may have ruined several towels in the process, but eventually the tub’s inside was presentable, and I could begin refilling it with hose water. The tub now gleamed with fresh water, and with every degree the temperature rose I felt a blooming sense of accomplishment. The real reward came when I sorted through the bottles I had found in the garage, reading the labels and figuring out how much of each I would need (a quick Google search came in handy here, as well). I’ve never been one for science, but I could make sense of the acids and bases and chlorine solutions. My hot tub is now in working order, and when I sit in my favorite corner with a glass of wine, I can truly appreciate my new found jacuzzi-adeptness.
I’ve never been one to do things myself. Since I was sixteen, my father or a boyfriend has always been the one to change a flat on my car, or get my headlights fixed for me. And in this day and age, there is always someone you can call to do those handy things for you. But sometimes, tinkering is exactly what a girl needs. Figuring out how things work instills a sense of pride and competence. And it feels just great knowing I can figure all that out on my own. With a little help from the Internet, of course.
John Buck's Iconography: Images of Americana
John Buck’s American upbringing in the second half of the twentieth century is highly apparent in his recent collection Iconography. The collection is primarily prints made from large woodblocks, often spanning five feet in width and seven feet or more in height. Buck uses dozens of colors in his prints, making for vibrant scenes full of stories and movement, despite the fact that details are rendered only in the thin lines that woodblock art allows. Within these details, viewers can find iconic American images, ones that connote feelings of nostalgia, loss and even a perverse sense of the American identity.
Many of his prints are arranged similarly, with a single image taking up the center space, the background done in varying shades of a single color. However, a closer look brings details to the surface, and the first image we see takes the back burner as the background scenes take our interest. Many of Buck’s pieces rely heavily on images of Americana, everything from repeated depictions of the Statue of Liberty to Mickey Mouse to haunting outlines of hooded Ku Klux Klan members. Born in 1946 in Ames, Indiana, Buck seems influenced by that which has become so attached to American history, for better or for worse.
His influence, though, does not just span the historical landscapes in between the east and the west coasts. Repeated images of Buddha and the Taj Mahal remind us of the accessibility of foreign cultures in present-day society, but also the clash of cultures when our “melting pot” ideals do not go as planned.
Buck works primarily with wood, and apart from the woodblock prints, Iconography also showcases some of his wood sculptures. Some of these he sands down into sleek forms. On others, he leaves the rivulets, showing the markings left behind by the tools he uses. Several of these sculptures are three dimensional picture panels, with carved objects protruding or inset in the wood paneling, giving the pieces shadow-box qualities. With these works, Buck often chooses a single bright paint color, leaving part of the piece as the natural wood. This gives them contrasting qualities-they are at once calling back to an older time where wood carving was a popular craft, yet shocking us with the modernity of bright colors.
The stunning visual presentation of John Buck’s pieces allows a viewer to easily get lost in the work. The pleasure lies not only in taking in the vibrant colors, but also the background images that tell the many stories of American history. Often times, the thin lines that worm through the canvas tell of tragedy and hypocrisy, yet the images are contemplative, not negative or dismal. Ultimately, John Buck’s Iconography allows the viewer to take a journey through American culture, and, interestingly, allows us to experience our own relationships with what we see. John Buck’s current exhibit can be viewed at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California.
Master's Away…Doggie Will Play
When it comes to our pets, we want nothing more than to be with them at all times. To many of us, our dogs are our children and we treat them as such. But, we all know that there is no such thing as “pup-ternity” leave. As a hardworking member of society, there are times when we just have to leave the pet at home.
For those occasions, here are some great ways to keep your “kids” entertained, and maybe bring laughs to your day, as well.
The PetCam
As children, we imagined that every time we left the house, our dog got up on his hind legs and started talking. While we have likely gotten over this fantasy, most of us still have no idea what our pet does all day. Does he play with his toys? Is he spending his days sleeping on the “forbidden sofa?” Did he steal that pair of slippers you just can’t find?
Install a PetCam and find out exactly what he does while you are away. In addition to being a great source for YouTube videos, this covert gadget enables you to keep tabs on your best friend. There are a few varieties on the market, including the standard wall mount Panasonic PetCam, offered at BestBuy.com. It presents video images of your home on the web, allowing you to spy on dear Fido from anywhere. Opt for multiple cameras and watch your pooch from every angle.
If you really want a full perspective, try the new DOGTEK EYENIMAL Collar Cam. This device slips easily onto your pet’s collar and allows you to see the world from his point-of-view. This mini camera only weighs 1.2 ounces so your pet won’t even notice it. But, you’ll notice how entertaining watching his day’s exploits from under his chin can be. Explore its features at DogTek.com.
Treat Challenges
A classic “game” for dogs is the rubbery Kong. It doesn’t look like much, but the Kong’s intelligently simple design allows the dog to use some of his hunting instincts, in working to retrieve a treat tucked into the toy’s jaw-exercising shell. Kong is available at Petsmart.com, Petco.com and quality pet product retailers.
Petsmart and Petco offer other great treat challenge options. The Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug by Premier is the same basic principle of the Kong, but adds elements which intrigue your pup’s sense of hearing, in addition to sight, smell, taste and touch. As your mutt plays with the toy, it also dispenses treats, keeping him both entertained and excited for hours on end.
TalktoMe TreatBall is a ball-contained voice recorder which plays your soothing words while the gadget dispenses treats. Activated by motion and replaying your recorded message, dogs with separation anxiety may find this treat challenge particularly soothing. It is now available in rubber, to protect those hardwood floors you love so much.
Toys and Balls
Depending upon your pet’s favorite indulgences, leave lots of bones, toys or balls when you go out. Bones can keep a hound occupied for hours and are good for gum and tooth hygiene. Even dogs have preferences, so try a few flavors and sizes until you figure out which ones keep him happy.
Having a variety of toys at his disposal can bring joy to a dog, even when you’re absent. Find ones that squeak, talk or move when chewed or tossed about. Watch your pup go wild for his toys on the PetCam, for some great midday laughs.
Think balls can only be fun when you are around to throw ‘em? Think again! With the GoDogGo Remote Fetch, your ball-chaser can rush after them even when you are miles away. As they’re also remote controlled, you can keep pup perplexed by stealthily joining in for some fun when you are at home. Visit GoDogGoInc.com for purchase details.
Doggie Bed
Every canine needs a soft place to call his own. Ensure he has a comfy crate or bed where he feels at ease. Although this might not seem like much, it will provide him with a retreat in which to feel safe and secure while he pines for you and naps – surely dreaming about days in the park.
You know your own pet best, so you will recognize what he enjoys doing most when you are around. Provide those things to keep him occupied and out of trouble while you’re away. Your tail-wagger will be satisfied and you will have peace of mind, knowing your shoes and expensive furnishings are less likely to be destroyed.
