Avocado and White Bean Sandwich

If you want to see my type A personality come out - come to my house 30 minutes before I host a dinner party.  If you envision a put together food network cooking show scenario where I've got everything organized and under control - you couldn't be any more wrong.   🙄 I can assure you that things are anything but calm and any bystanders would agree that it doesn't appear that I have things even remotely under control!  30 minutes before any dinner party, my hair will still be pulled up into an untidy pony tail (not the cute kind), my sleeves will be rolled up and covered in food scraps and I morph into the supreme dictator of the kitchen. 

Amidst all of the chaos of last minute preparations, I lose all sense of politeness and I start barking commands at my poor family.  "No, you may not move the dining room table to the back yard!"  "No we can't squeeze 12 chairs around our 3 foot kitchen table."  I'm embarrassed to say that these are actual statements that have come out of my mouth 30 minutes before dinner guests arrived at my house.  My family has learned to accept the fact that all of these "less than desirable" traits will come out in me before we host a dinner party and more importantly, they've also learned to avoid the kitchen and maintain as little contact with me as possible during this stressful time.  

​Somehow, as if by magic, once we reach 10 minute mark from dinner guests arriving, no matter what stage the meal is in, I force myself to retreat to the bathroom to make myself presentable for dinner and miraculously, when I emerge, my attitude radically shifts to a more pleasant and civilized persona.  My kitchen turns from a state of pandemonium to controlled chaos and my language becomes softer and all around, more congenial.  ​I'm in "company mode" at this point.

I used to think that it was the food that I was serving that caused all of my pre-dinner party stress so I started to simplify my menus.   Tackling beef bourguignon for a party of 15 might be a stretch so I started serving things like big pans of lasagna and make ahead casseroles.  But even with the simplified menu, it happened like clock work - 30 minutes prior to any event, things would start to fall apart in my kitchen.  

So where are my fellow type A personalities?  I know you're out there.  We may not be the nicest people to be around while dinner preparations are underway but we WILL get the job done - our way.  (Type A people know exactly what I mean by that. - And all those people married to type A people.)  😂 I refuse to let my inner Dr. Jekyll stop me from inviting guests over for dinner though.  I hosted a luncheon recently and served these delicious Avocado and White Bean Sandwiches.  They were a BIG hit and I even though I had my usual mini meltdown 30 minutes prior to the arrival of my guests, it was completely unrelated to these sandwiches.  These sandwiches are REALLY delicious and a great option for non-meat eaters.  

Avocado and White Bean Sandwich
2 avocados
15 ounce can white beans or chick peas
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 slices whole grain bread
1 cup chopped roasted red peppers
8 thins slices sharp Cheddar cheese
​4 cups baby lettuce

Mash avocados, beans, lemon juice, oil, garlic, thyme and pepper.  

Divide among 4 slices of toasted bread.

Top each sandwich with 1/4 cup red peppers.  

Top with 2 slices of cheese.

​Top with lettuce.  Add remaining bread slice on top.  ​

I think this is my new favorite summer sandwich.  I've been eating a lot of these lately and experimenting with different types of bread and cheese on my sandwiches.  Enjoy!

Ciao!

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