Apple Sandwich, a recipe excerpt from “100 Days of Real Food”

{Reprinted with permission from “100 Days of Real Food” by Lisa Leake}

If you’re looking for a way to make over your kid’s lunch (or your own!), here’s the answer. Sandwiches are no longer a bore if you just switch out the regular bread and use Cinnamon-Raisin Quick Bread, waffles, or even apples! Apple sandwiches are easier than they look, plus you can mix things up by using any small cookie cutter shape to cut out the core. A heart on Valentine’s Day would be adorable! Check out 100daysofrealfood.com/applesandwich for step-by-step pictures.

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: Less than 10 minutes

Seasonal Note: Use locally grown apples in the fall months.

Makes 2 sandwiches

Special tools needed: 1-inch cookie cutter (round or other shape), wooden toothpicks (to keep the sandwich together in a lunch box)

GLUTEN-FREE

DAIRY-FREE

VEGETARIAN

• 1 large unpeeled apple, any variety
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional; keeps the apple from turning brown)
• 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter (such as peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter)
• 2 teaspoons raisins (optional)

1. Turn the apple on its side and slice off the top inch of the apple and discard (or eat what’s around the stem!).

2. Carefully make four (or more, depending on the size of your apple) ½-or ¾-inch-thick slices that will become the “bread” of the sandwiches. Stop about an inch before the bottom. Either eat or discard the very valtrex online sale bottom piece of apple.

3. Lay the slices flat on a cutting board and use the small cookie cutter to cut the core out of the middle. Alternatively, core it with a paring knife, but it won’t be nearly as pretty.

4. To prevent the apples from turning brown, mix the lemon juice with ¼ cup water in a small bowl and douse the apple slices in the lemon mixture. (I’ve also found that some varieties of apples, such as Honeycrisp and Gala, don’t brown nearly as quickly as the common Red Delicious variety so that’s what I usually buy instead of using lemon juice.)

5. Spread 1 tablespoon of nut or seed butter on top of 2 apple slices. Evenly distribute the raisins on top of the nut or seed butter (if using) and top with another apple slice. Secure with 2 wooden toothpicks (not plastic, because they can break off in the apple) if you anticipate that the sandwich will get tossed around in the lunch box, but instruct your little ones to take toothpicks out before taking a bite!

LISA’S TIP: One time when I wanted to make apple sandwiches at my parents’ place without a small cookie cutter, I figured out that the small round top from their milk carton was the perfect substitute!