Green Genie sandwich spread transforms ham and cheese
My sister sent me a text about a green spread that said, "you have to make this … love it on sandwiches, crackers, eggs, etc."
And she was right - this green spread is a sandwich genie. It is also a great way to get a few more vegetables in your diet. Better yet, it's made with ingredients that you almost always have in the pantry.
The "Green Genie" spread, as my sister and I refer to it, is a garlicky pureed artichoke spread colored with curly green parsley that gives it a fresh clean flavor rich with garlic, lemon zest, pistachios and good olive oil. It is neutral enough to go with most of your sandwich fillings and enhance their flavor.
It is also a great topping for crackers and if you keep it on hand, it's an easy appetizer before dinner.
Making it took a bit of maneuvering in my blender, as the vegetables had to be pushed around to blend evenly, but soon I had a bright green, aromatic spread that was thick like a dip.
I tried a little on a cracker and it made me want to have another. But it was lunchtime so I made a sandwich instead. I replaced my mustard and my lettuce with this spread and made a ham and Swiss cheese on rye. And, I was richly rewarded with the best sandwich that I had eaten in a long time.
• Elizabeth Karmel is a barbecue and Southern foods expert. She is the chef and pitmaster at online retailer CarolinaCueToGo.com and the author of three books, including "Taming the Flame."