Healthier Summer Fare-Vegetarian Sandwiches

Even if you are not a vegetarian, omitting meat on occasion is an easy way to cut calories. These delicious sandwiches are flavorful, meatless options for summer meals. Here are some of my favorite creations:

Rabbit- Start with a good, soft bread of your choice, spread cream cheese on one side, and honey mustard on the other. Stack thin slices of avocado and cucumber, then top with a generous amount of shredded carrot. Lastly, add a few sprouts.

Open Face Feta- A quick snack that my Greek friend loves to make. Toast a couple slices of whole grain bread, top toast with grated tomato. Next add crumbled feta cheese. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. A little cracked pepper is optional.

Swiss Cheese on Rye- A classic combination. Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and a little mayo on Jewish rye toast.

Mushroom- A nice hot sandwich that makes for a hearty dinner. Sautee some thinly sliced red onion in a little olive oil, then add sliced mushrooms of any type, along with artichoke hearts and a few sun-dried tomatoes. After cooking, immediately top with sharp cheddar cheese and transfer to a warm roll prepared with garlic mayonnaise.

Beans- A good source of protein. Smash some kidney beans just enough so they are not going to roll out of your sandwich. Use whole grain bread spread with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Then add tomato, cucumber, and lettuce.

Buffalo Mozzarella- Making this simple delight begins with ciabatta bread drizzled with a little olive oil or pesto. Fill the bread with a thick steak of fresh buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomato. Then, add fresh basil leaves, remembering to rough them up a little for maximum flavor.

Sweet Thai- This is a special treat, least healthy of these sandwiches. Cut calories in half by sharing with a friend. To make this unusual sandwich, fry tofu with ginger until golden in color. Spread some natural peanut butter onto whole grain toast, top with thinly sliced bananas, add the tofu and drizzle with honey. For additional decadence include some dried shredded coconut.