You know what September means—the kids are heading back to school for the new year. While this school year will look different than past years with many schools teaching remotely, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do your best to maintain a sense of normalcy. School lunches aren’t complete without sandwiches, but sandwiches can get boring quickly. With these adjustments, you can elevate typical sandwiches and make them healthier and more exciting.
Mashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This plant-based sandwich is packed with protein and all you have to do is mash canned chickpeas with a potato masher until the chickpeas are the texture you want them to be. Then, put the chickpea mixture on bread and for healthy fat, add Greek yogurt or avocado. Top off the sandwich with greens, sprouts, lettuce, onion, and other veggies for some fiber. To add a bit of flavor, use lemon juice, garlic, mustard, dill, salt, and pepper.
PB&J
PB&Js are a classic for a reason and you can make them even more special by adding different nut butters like sunflower seed, almond butter, or cashew butter and replacing the jam with seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Top the sandwich with flax or hemp seeds for an added dose of protein.
Tuna Panini
Use the can of tuna you have in your pantry to make a tasty panini. Just add lemon juice, celery, pickles, and hot sauce to take it up a notch. For a real treat, add a slice of cheese to the sandwich.
Grilled Cheese
Who doesn’t love the melty cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich? You can elevate your sandwich by adding canned tomatoes, beats, or peas or you can opt for a sweeter option by adding peaches or pears with a bit of honey.
