Craving McAllisters
The other week I was craving a cozy lunch at McAllisters Deli. Or Panera Bread. Anywhere that offered warms soups and sandwiches and yummy salads made with ingredients not on my normal shnormal grocery list. Well, maybe also anywhere that served me lunch ready made on a platter, but that’s a bit of a moot point.
I found this recipe for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup that is so similar to the Creamy White Chili family favorite I’ve made for years. This one has a few more ingredients and ooo, la, la, they turn my looking pretty good recipe into something that turns heads.
About the same time I went to the grocery store while hungry. This is never a good idea. Particularly not in the aisle with the feta stuffed olives and gourmet curries. This jar of basil pesto literally danced on the shelf chanting, “You know you want me. You know you want me. You know you ….”
And did I ever.
I bought a yummy focaccia from the bakery and stopped at the local bulk food store to stock up on Swiss cheese and gluten free ham.
Let me tell you. It’s a match that rivals your favorite fast casual restaurant.
For the sandwich, melt butter (the real deal) on a frying pan.
Add slices of bread for however many sandwiches you wish to make. You can use whatever kind of bread you like. I prefer something whole grain and with a little crunch. Liam gets a gluten free slice of Udi’s and ta da! We’re all good to go.
Spread a thin layer of pesto on the bread. This stuff is like a green-colored goldmine.
Layer with two slices of ham and top with thickly-sliced swiss cheese.
Toast until just lightly browned on the bottom. You can either cover the pan with a lid for a bit or pop your plate in the microwave for a few seconds if the cheese hasn’t melted by then.
The soup … … I already gave you the link. Hopefully you’ve had it simmering in the crockpot all morning. And don’t be afraid to top it with avocado like she says. I wasn’t convinced I wanted warm avocado in my soup, but it is flat out amazing!
Well, the weather outside is frightful. But the food inside’s delightful. And since we’ve no place to go. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.
This sounds very yummy! I could almost taste it 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome. 🙂
Oh nom mom.. That sounds and looks so good. I need to buy me some pesto, I could handle that on some bread.
Trust me, it’s worth every penny.
You have me drooling. I think I even have some basil pesto in the freezer. I freeze it in ice cube trays so that I can pull out small portions whenever the mood strikes.
I know from past experience that the recipes you share are GOOD.
Gina
Well, that’s a pretty big compliment from someone who runs a food blog!
When I make a jar of pesto, I always think it’s like gold. Nothing like it. Basil is called the king of herbs for a reason!
My taste buds are usually very accepting and open. However, I draw the line at warm Swiss cheese. 😉 Never mind, I still like that you’re posting. This commenting business could become a habit. It’s time for a skype date. Period.
WHAT? You don’t like melted Swiss cheese? How could you not? Oh well, I still like you. 🙂 And I’ll get some mozzarella just for you. But I’ll feel a little bit sorry for you. And YES on the Skype thing. But first we must get this crazy internet fixed. Or else I’ll have to find a place in town that gives me free internet and lets me talk. 🙂
oh, yum!! looks amazing~
probably way better than mcallister’s or panera!! :))