An awesome lunch recipe from my neighbor

As I posted recently, moving to the country has provided us some bumps in the road (literally!) but has also been a huge blessing and rest for our souls. One of our favorite things about where we live is who we live near. We have the sweetest neighbors "across the pond" that are so generous and loving.

They are also some of the most interesting and fun to chat with people I have ever met. We have lots of laughs together. Who knew the country is where all the cool people hide? :)

Last Friday, my neighbor Siobhan, came over to bring me lunch and we chatted for awhile.  It was a nice time, as usual.  She always comes bearing gifts whether it's goodies from the garden, farm fresh eggs, flowers when it's been a rough week (like the time Jared drove his car into the ditch) or chicken soup when I was nauseous and couldn't keep anything down.  I'm constantly amazed by our neighbor's giving hearts.  I thought I was a giver until I met them ;)  

But Friday. Siobhan brought over the best thing she's ever brought.  And I'm pretty sure she just made up the recipe and threw it on a tray to bring to me (she's that awesome!).  She made a sandwich that I couldn't stop thinking about and decided to recreate again today for lunch.  Not only is it SO yummy and healthy but it's beautiful too!  

It's different than most of the boring sandwiches I make, and not being a huge tomato lover, I was surprised by how much I liked it.  It was so good and fun to eat that I had to share it with you here:  

Open-Faced Tomato and Avocado Sandwich 
(Or as I will call it, The Siobhan)

Ingredients: 

Sliced bread 

Dijon mustard 

Sliced deli meat (turkey, ham, whatever you like)

Ricotta cheese

Sliced avocado

Sliced tomato

Salt and pepper 

Dill or chives 

Directions:

Toast the bread and spread on the Dijon (I used my favorite kind, the White Wine Dijon by Grey Poupon).  Layer on the meat, avocado, ricotta and tomato (I didn't have ricotta so I left it off and still thought it was awesome).  Season liberally with salt and pepper and add your herbs (Siobhan had dill but I used chives-- both are great!).  

Make a gluten-free version by simply using GF bread. 

This sandwich is super simple to put together-- which is the honest truth because I am pregnant and exhausted and don't make anything that takes over 15 minutes right now ;)

I sort of want to recreate this recipe a lot of different ways.  Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with balsamic?  Feta and kalamata olives?  I'll let you know if I do and if it turns out! 

Try this recipe, you won't be sorry!  

Enjoy!

Rachel