Do you ever need something quick and easy, but still fresh and delicious to feed your loved one or yourself after a long day at work? Here are two lovely sandwich recipes that will make your evening a little picnic in Italy.

The Tomato Bocconcini and the Feta, Basil and Sweet Pepper Sandwiches

Slice half a baguette in half. Drizzle both sides in a homemade dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried basil, dried oregano, fresh pepper, and a clove of crushed garlic. I always eyeball it, but it’s about 1/3 cup olive oil, a tablespoon or so balsamic vinegar, a tablespoon of basil, and a teaspoon of oregano, a small garlic clove and a few twists of pepper.

Then layer one side of the baguette with sliced tomato, fresh basil leaves, and bocconcini (the pre-sliced medallions make this easy). Drizzle a little more dressing on top.

Or, as an alternative use the same dressing but layer with fresh basil and sliced sweet pepper, and top with crumbled feta. This is for fussy ones like me who don’t like raw tomatoes. 😉 It’s really delicious, too!

Turn the oven to broil on low and heat the sandwiches for about 5-8 minutes until warm. If you’re afraid of burning your creations, warm in the oven at 400 C for about 10 minutes instead. The idea is to make the cheese slightly gooey and the bread warm, and to make your house smell delicious.

Serve with olives and grapes on the side if you desire, and with a refreshing drink of some kind, be it sparkling cranberry juice, white wine, or even a Starbucks Refresher, my husband’s favourite.

Enjoy! La vita e bella when you’re eating Italian!

Finish with chocolate if you like…our favourite is Ritter Sport.

Of course, all the nuts in it make it extremely healthy! 😉