BALSAMIC GOAT CHEESE SANDWICHES

The Background.

It is the middle of April, and I am feeling the pull of spring, which, in my world, means sandwiches.

I believe this recipe is from a back issue of Cooking Light, but I would not place any money on that bet.

The Story.

Beginning of date

Heather's and my first date is a point of contention. Heather says I asked her out on our first date. I say I asked her to go on a hike.

Heather and I met in an interview. I was interviewing her for a mentorship position (i.e. screening her for mental health) and asking her personal questions about potential addiction, sexual orientation, and suicidality. Not exactly first date material. But handy, in a way.

The way Heather tells it, she fell in love with me at first sight (despite the strangeness of our first interaction). She tells me that was "playing the field" at that point in her life, and that after meeting me she went back to her lab and told her labmate that she found the woman she was meant to be with. I figure that is pretty impressive for a hard scientist to make that sort of commitment to a hypothesis. I was (and still am) a bit more stubborn.

I had recently embarked on a hiking endeavor. About 4 times a week I was venturing out to the beautiful foothills of central PA. The last hike I had been on resulted in a serious shaming by an elderly couple. They told me to both get a hiking partner and a higher pair of shoes to protect myself from the elements and from snakes. The couple was right. I needed a hiking partner.

Middle of date

And Heather was in my office.

I asked Heather (via email) to walk the Jackson Trail with me. She agreed and I picked her up to drive to the top of Tussey Ridge where she kept suggesting we stop to look at the beautiful vistas. I was thrilled to have a hiking partner, and frankly, I had a lot of nervous energy to burn, so I wanted to keep moving. Thank goodness Heather still helps me stop to appreciate the beauty all around.

I had invited Heather to come hiking with me, so of course I provided sandwiches. Heather says that a picnic makes it a date. Ok. It was a date. At least it was after the stars came out and the sandwiches were long gone.

The Recipe.

Balsamic turkey goat cheese sandwiches

Ingredients:
4 ounces Semisoft Goat Cheese
French Bread
2.5 cups Sliced or shredded Cooked Turkey
3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
12 Basil Leaves
12 slices English Cucumber

Directions:

Cut a "V" in the bread, then layer the turkey in the bottom part of the bread. Crumple the goat cheese evenly over the turkey and place under the broiler for a few minutes. Drizzle the turkey with balsamic vinegar and top with basic, cucumber, and the top of the bread.

The Process.

I am so proud of the way this looks!

I made my own bread for this. I know that the US (and certainly my kitchen) does not have the correct type of oven for baguette, but I really wanted to try. The bread I made for this sandwich was not it. Not only was this recipe not a good baguette (no holes!) but it also did not have a good crust. I did research and followed directions suggested. After the flour was mixed in I let it rest for 15 minutes, then I incorporated the salt and kneaded for 2-3 minutes. I watched multiple videos to be able to form the perfect baguette. I threw water in my oven floor right before baking it. But the bread was not a baguette. Nor did it have nice holes in it. And while it was pretty on the outside, smelled good, and sufficed for sandwiches, I will be the first to say that it was the least flavorful bread I had made.

If you have a good crusty baguette recipe (or tips in making big holes in crusty bread) please do share!

The Future.

The original recipe called for shredded turkey. This would be brilliant. Lunchmeat is something that I need to put behind us, but I find it difficult to justify making a turkey breast for a turkey sandwich. This will, on the other hand, should be a leftover Thanksgiving/Christmas sandwich!