She Strengthens

Elevate Your Lunch Game with This Unconventional yet Delicious Sandwich

Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy baguette, filled with the sweetness of cherries, the savory flavor of smoked duck, and the tanginess of blue cheese, all tied together with peppery greens. Sounds like a culinary dream come true!

The Perfect Ingredients

To create this masterpiece, you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup of pitted and halved Bing cherries
• 1 teaspoon of sherry vinegar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup of baby arugula leaves, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 1 (6-inch) sweet French roll
• 2 ounces of smoked duck breast, thinly sliced
• 1 ounce of sweet blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola dolce

A Sandwich Like No Other

This sandwich is not for the faint of heart. The cherries may fall out, but that’s all part of the fun! If you’re concerned about the mess, you can chop the cherries finely instead. But trust us, the bursts of flavor are worth the risk.

Grilling to Perfection

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat (about 350°F). While waiting for the grill to heat up, combine the cherries and vinegar in a small bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. Let it macerate for at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, toss the arugula leaves with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Assembling the Sandwich

Slice the roll in half horizontally and pull out the interior to create a pocket. Fill the bottom half with the arugula, duck breast, and cheese, then top with the cherry mixture. Close the sandwich with the top piece of bread, press down until flattened, and wrap in aluminum foil.

The Final Touches

Place the sandwich in the heated pan or grill, weighing it down with a heavy object. Grill for 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Let it rest for 3-4 minutes before slicing and serving.

The Perfect Pairing

For the ultimate culinary experience, pair this sandwich with a glass of Benton Lane Pinot Noir from Oregon. The bright fruit flavors and dusty, leafy edge will complement the sweet cherries and peppery arugula perfectly.