Sandwich night: Which ’wich will you pick?

Family Features

From PB&Js to pitas, muffalettas to melts — any way you slice them, sandwiches are one of America’s favor ite foods. In fact, it is estimated that Americans consume 300 million sandwiches each day.

Making one night a week Sandwich Night is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a nutritious dinner that doesn’t take a lot of time. The Grain Foods Foundation has some fun ideas and recipes for making your Sandwich Night special:

Set up a sandwich bar in your kitchen or on a table with a variety of dif ferent breads, meats, cheeses and veggies. Let the kids customize their own creations — you might be surprised by what they make.

Designate someone differ ent to be in charge of Sandwich Night each week to get the whole family involved in identifying and putting together healthy choices everyone will enjoy.

Add some sizzle to your Sandwich Night — set up a panini press for those who like their sandwich warm and toasty. Or, create theme nights to spark creativity.

These sandwich recipes, created exclu sively for the Grain Foods Founda tion by Jamie and Bobby Deen, hosts of the Food Network’s “Road Tasted” and sons of Paula Deen, will put a smile on every one’s face. Before you know it, your family will be asking for Sandwich Night more than just once a week.

To get more tips and recipes from the Deen brothers and to add your favorite recipe to the Endless Sandwich recipe database, visit www.gowiththegrain.org or GoWithTheGrain on Facebook and Twitter.

The Perfect Chicken Sandwich

4 servings

Total time: 18 minutes

8 slices multigrain bread

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 roasted chicken breasts, sliced (use leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken)

8 thin slices Gruyere cheese

1/3 cup mayonnaise

6 basil leaves, finely chopped

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Salt and pepper

In small mixing bowl, stir together mayonnaise, basil, zest and juice. Salt and pepper to taste.

Brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil. Spread basil mayon naise on the opposite side of each slice. Top four of the slices of bread (olive-oil-side down) with chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add two slices of cheese over chicken and top with remaining four pieces of bread (olive-oil-side up).

Heat sandwich press and cook sandwiches until golden and cheese has melted.