Localicious: A Meal for Mom Made Expressly by Dad & Kids

As a mama I can tell you that I often think about spending a little time to myself, second to that fantasy is having someone prepare food for me. The world of motherhood is filled with children in constant proximity and the never-ending cycle of feeding all these darling little ones. This May let’s celebrate the mom in your life by giving her a break, and imaginably some leisure time while someone else prepares food for her. Maybe your family will enjoy this kitchen takeover so much that it becomes a weekly tradition, not just a Mother’s Day special.

The following is for all the partners, dads and kids who would love to show mom some gratitude through food. We’re going with a sandwich theme because even the youngest can assemble ingredients. Specifically, the theme is grilled cheese. If stovetop cheese melting is not practical, a toaster for the bread and a microwave to melt the cheese will work just fine.

A good meal begins with quality ingredients. Take the time to seek out a local bread like Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough. Nathan Maupin is a sourdough bread baker from Fall River Mills who spends his week using quality organic ingredients to slow-bake loaves. Each batch of bread takes three and a half days from start to finish. Nathan uses a variety of grains including ancient grains einkorn and spelt that he mills himself. You can find his sourdough in Redding at Country Organics, Orchard Nutrition, R and R Meats, Kent’s Meats and the Gather Marketplace, or Tin House Antiques in Fall River as well as farmers markets throughout the North State. We are looking forward to his Redding-based bakery opening at the end of summer!

Classic Grilled Cheese

Makes one sandwich

• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 2 slices cheddar, Monterey Jack, or swiss cheese
• 2 slices Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough bread or bread of your choice

Heat the salted butter in a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwich in skillet and cook three to five minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and cut along the diagonal.

Avocado & Pesto Grilled Cheese

Makes one sandwich

• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• ¼ avocado, thinly sliced
• ⅛ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅛ cup shredded slice cheddar cheese
• 2 slices of Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough bread or bread of your choice

Spread pesto evenly over one side of each slice of bread. Combine the cheeses and sprinkle half over one slice and place avocado on top. Sprinkle remaining cheese over avocado slices and top with the second slice of bread, pesto side in. Cook sandwich with instructions from Classic Grilled Cheese.

Apple and Ham Grilled Cheese

Makes one sandwich

• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 4 slices cheddar, Monterey Jack, or swiss cheese
• 2 slices ham
• ¼ thinly sliced apple
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 slices of Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough bread or bread of your choice

Spread Dijon on one bread slice and place cheese slices followed by ham. Place apple slices evenly over ham, cover with remaining cheese and another slice of bread. Cook sandwich with instructions from Classic Grilled Cheese.

Caprese Grilled Cheese

Makes one sandwich

• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese
• 3 large basil leaves
• 3 slices tomato
• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 slices of Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough bread or bread of your choice

Place two cheese slices, basil and tomatoes on one slice of bread. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with pepper. Place remaining mozzarella and the other slice of bread on top. Cook sandwich with instructions from Classic Grilled Cheese.

Turkey with Cranberry Sauce Grilled Cheese

Makes one sandwich

• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 3 slices turkey
• 2 tablespoon cranberry sauce
• 4 slices cheddar, Monterey Jack, or swiss cheese
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 slices of Nathan’s Artisan Sourdough bread or bread of your choice

Place cheese slices on one slice of bread and top with turkey. Spread cranberry sauce over turkey and sprinkle with pepper. Place remaining cheese and bread on top. Cook sandwich with instructions from Classic Grilled Cheese.

Localicious is a monthly column celebrating food in the North State. If you would like to suggest a food-related business or organization, email us at  localicious@northstateparent.com.