Use Your Head for Substitutes for Bread
by Kathleen Reale
Many folks need to be on a diet that eliminates commercially made gluten-filled breads from their diet. The reason could be as serious as a food allergy, gluten intolerance or celiac disease, or just an attempt to further reduce carbohydrates from day-to-day eating.
Whatever the reason, there are tons of options to replace bread for sandwiches. By getting a little creative you’ll discover there are plenty of things better than “sliced bread”!
- Corn tortillas / corn taco shells: Learn from our neighbors South of the Border and use tortillas as a sandwich wrap or a taco shell as a sandwich “pocket”. If necessary, make sure you read ingredients first for any allergen information.
- Rice cakes: These versatile rice patties come in handy for a quick sandwich on the go. Try them spread with jams and nut butters or stack ‘em full with meats and cheeses. Check out the label for allergen information, if necessary.
- Cucumber Cups: Cut cucumbers in 2” disks, scoop out the seeds and replace with tuna, chicken or ham salad… or pack with shredded veggies and crabmeat to go “sushi-style”.
- Red peppers or tomatoes: Cut off the top, remove seeds and insides, and stuff with tuna. These vegetable shells become a sandwich “pocket” for hot summer night dinners!
- Mushroom caps: Use grilled Portabella mushroom caps as a hamburger or sandwich bun.
- Provolone cheese: Use a piece of thick sliced oval-shaped provolone cheese as an “omelet style” sandwich. Layer one side of the cheese slice with meat, veggies and condiments; flip the other side over to cover and enjoy!
- Deli meats: Use thicker slices of allergen free (if needed) deli meat as a “roll-up”. Load with veggies and cheese.
- Large leaf lettuce: Trendy even in high end restaurants, large leaf lettuce is become the healthy alternative to breadless dining. Use them as vessels for meats, cheese, other veggies and condiments. Secure the wraps with toothpicks.
- Olive leaves: Olive leaves are just not for dolmas anymore! Stuff them with your favorite sandwich toppings, roll and enjoy! My favorite: touboule & feta.
- Rice spring roll wrappers: Popular in Asian cuisine, these wraps are delicious and so versatile for any sandwich stuffing. Make sure you check the label for any allergen concerns!
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