Sandwich

"My profession as a real estate agent requires a lot of my time," writes Edi Meadows Morrissette of Westin, Florida, "so it helps that I am lightning-fast in the kitchen. I cook every day, and on the weekends I sometimes make three meals a day. I accomplish that by following my main cooking principles: (1) do a lot of prep work, and (2) keep the kitchen well stocked. For example, at holiday time I might chop onions in advance or bake bread the day before company arrives. And since I converted the bedroom next to my kitchen into a pantry for extra storage, I know I'll always have the right ingredients at my fingertips." Nice with drinks, soup, or salad. The cheese spread can be made a day ahead.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Complete this one with cherry tomatoes, potato chips, and lemonade.

Potato salad, grapes or fresh figs, and brownies round out this lunch. To make things even easier, use raw onions.

Celery and jicama sticks with ranch dip and sweet-potato chips are good with this downright delicious sandwich. Finish with squares of crumb cake and chocolate milk.

Why Madame? Because it has an egg, of course.

These hot dog buns look very much like éclairs, which is no coincidence — they're made from pâte à choux instead of yeast dough. For more information about making pâte à choux, see If the Choux Fits Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

While our directions call for lighting the grill with a charcoal chimney, feel free to use whatever method you prefer.

These toasts are also delicious without the foie gras or with a slice of country pâté substituted for the foie gras.

This salad-in-a-sandwich can also be made with individual sourdough rolls. There can be many variations on this theme, so use your imagination. You might replace the tuna with grilled leftover chicken or tuck in a bit of salami, mortadella or roast beef. The sandwich is best if made at least two hours before serving.

This knife-and-fork sandwich is terrific with potato chips, pickles and marinated vegetables from a market salad bar or the deli. Brownies à la mode are a delicious finish.

Cemitas de Carne Enchilada A cemita is an oversize, slightly sweet, sesame seed bun that gives this Pueblan sandwich its name. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve with potato chips, a heap of tangy coleslaw, and some sweet gherkins. Finish with strawberry ice cream and chocolate cookies. By the way, the filling for these quick sandwiches is delicious on toasted English muffins for breakfast.