Avocado Caprese Sandwich

What's the most summery of recipes? A caprese salad of course! The simple combo of mozzarella, tomato, and basil gets me every year. I've tried turning it into pasta before and added the ingredients to grilled cheese, but this summer I decided to go for sandwiches. Yummy, gooey sandwiches that managed to trick Jeff into going vegetarian for dinner. 

Do you have problems getting the men in your life to eat vegetarian? Jeff never seems to think a meal is a meal if there isn't a meat involved, and he usually complains if I don't give him enough protein. Not this time! He happily gulped his down (because boys don't chew and swallow like normal people) and has asked when we're having them again. 

Of course, I couldn't just go straight caprese on bread, because that sounds boring, and those weren't the ingredients I had in my fridge. I went for basil pesto instead of regular basil, heirloom cherry tomatoes instead of the big boys, and added avocado, spinach, and some red pepper flakes because, well, why not?

Avocado Caprese Sandwich (makes 2)

2 mini french loaves (or another sandwich roll)

Olive oil

4 slices mozzarella cheese (or some fresh mozzarella if you've got it!)

Handful of cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters

1 avocado, sliced

Handful of spinach 

Pesto

Crushed red pepper flakes

Salt

Pre-heat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut each loaf in half and brush insides with olive oil. Place halves inside down on baking sheet and bake until warm and the insides just start to brown, about 5 minutes. 

Remove from oven and immediately top one side with cheese so it can start to melt. Add tomato, avocado, and spinach on top of the cheese. On the other side, spread a hearty amount of pesto, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (more or less depending on how much spice you like - Jeff added a ton!) and a dash of salt. Put the sandwich together, cut in half, and go. to. town. 

Just looking at these pictures is making me hungry. We're going to have to make them again, and soon!

Happy Friday! Don't forget, it's the last day to enter my Firmoo glasses giveaway. You can enter here.

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