Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • One 16-ounce can white beans (great northern or cannellini), drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock or reduced-sodium broth
  • 12 slices whole-wheat bread, lightly toasted
  • 12 small inner leaves romaine lettuce
  • Eight 1/4-inch-thick slices tomato
  • 12 very thin slices red onion (a sharp chefs knife or mandoline will get the job done)
  • 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced into thin wedges (6 to 8 each, depending on size)
  • 8 ounces thinly sliced cooked chicken breast
  • 8 pork or turkey bacon strips, cooked until crisp (optional)
  • 2 cups broccoli or alfalfa sprouts (4 ounces)

Method

  • To make the white bean spread, heat the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and cayenne pepper in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • When the garlic just starts to brown, add the white beans.
  • Cook, tossing or stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add the white wine and cook for another minute to reduce.
  • Then add the broth and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth.
  • Set the white bean spread aside (it will thicken as it cools).
  • Spread 2 tablespoons of the cooled white bean spread over 1 slice of toast; top with 3 lettuce leaves, 2 tomato slices, 3 onion slices, another slice of toast, another tablespoon of white bean spread, 3 or 4 slices of avocado, one-fourth of the chicken, 2 bacon strips (if using), and 1/2 cup of the sprouts.
  • Top with a final slice of toast spread with 1 last tablespoon of white bean spread.
  • Cut the sandwich diagonally into quarters; secure the quarters with wooden picks.
  • Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 4 sandwiches.
  • Variations:
  • Omit the rosemary from the white bean spread and add 4 or 5 chopped fresh basil leaves.
  • For a kick, stir some ancho or poblano chili paste, harissa, or salsa into the spread.
  • Substitute preserved tomatoes or pickled vegetables (zucchini, cucumber pickles, eggplant, mushrooms, or onions, for example) when the local fresh ones are out of season.
  • Use mesclun or arugula in place of the romaine, and omit the chicken and bacon to make a veggie decker sandwich.