Gift of Simplicity: Hot Loaf Sandwiches

Summer Lunch Program

a semi-sporadic series

with

fun lunchtime recipes

Just In Time For Summer Vacation

Summer is on it's way! Hurray, Hurray!

Are you as burned-out on packing lunches as I am? With only 5 weeks of school left, I am so over and done with this whole lunch-box thing.

Five lunches, almost each and every day.

I'm ready to move on to something different. Not that it'll be much better with everyone home for the summer--they think they need to eat three times a day! Imagine that! But at least then the kids can help with the fixing of lunches.

But maybe that's a whole 'nother mess...

Anyway, I've put together 5 different variations of the Hot Loaf Sandwich that I think you'll enjoy. This recipe is only limited by your imagination.

Or by what you might have in the fridge.

And because school isn't quite out yet, I cut these into individual slices and packaged for the freezer. Now the kids just pull out their favorite flavor when it's time to pack lunches.

For each recipe you'll need 1 recipe of dough, or you can use 1 pound of pre-made pizza dough (this gets easier all the time!).

For the Dough:
2 Tablespoons Yeast (1 package)
1 Cup Warm Water
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 Tablespoon Butter
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Flour

Melted Butter, for brushing

Dissolve Yeast in Warm Water. Add Sugar, Butter, Salt, and Flour, mixing well, until smooth. Let rise 20 minutes. Knead 10-20 strokes; roll out onto a large baking sheet. Spread toppings down the middle 1/3 of dough. Cut slices every inch along both sides, fold over toppings to form a braid. Butter top and sprinkle with Seeds, as desired. Let rise 20 minutes. Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Serves 8-10.

"Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples,

'Let the children come to me.

Don't stop them!

For the Kingdom of God belongs to those

who are like these children.

I tell you the truth,

anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God

like a child will never enter.'"

Luke 18:16-17, New Living Translation

Toppings:
Ham & Cheese
Thousand Island Dressing
Ham Slices
Cheddar Cheese
Poppy Seeds for top

Cheeseburger
1 pound Ground Beef, browned with Dried Minced Onion and
8-12 ounces Velveeta Cheese, melted into the browned Ground Beef
Thousand Island Dressing (best way to get the tomato and pickle flavors)
BBQ Sauce
Sesame Seeds for top
top baked Sandwich Loaf with your favorite Cheeseburger toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado...

Taco
Taco Sauce
1 pound Ground Beef, browned with 2-3 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
Mexican Cheese Blend
Olives
top baked Sandwich Loaf with your favorite Taco Seasonings: Shredded Lettuce, Salsa, Avocado, Cilantro...

Buffalo Chicken
Bleu Cheese Dressing
Crispy Chicken Tenders, baked according to package directions and tossed with
Buffalo Sauce

Celery Seeds for top
serve with Celery Sticks