{grilled cheese and tomato sammy featuring sauteed spring ramps}

hey – how was your weekend?

i feel like mine was full of epiphanies.  i feel like i turned over a new leaf. maybe it’s because i really feel like spring has ACTUALLY finally sprung here in colorado.  we had snow to kick off the month of may, and last week was our “spring” full of rain – now we are in the 80s.  so typical.

i feel like new life is here and with it, new ways of looking at it.  i’ll dive into that more later… for now, let’s talk about baby leeks – AKA “ramps”…

when i see ramps showing up in the produce section, i know spring is here!

i feel like ramps are a TOTAL “foodie” item… unique and special and not-so-widely recognized…

ramps are literally just baby leeks, not fully grown yet.  they taste somewhere in between a leek and garlic.  the leaves are absolutely amazing-tasting!! overall i just love this special seasonal delicacy and i look forward to them every year!

they make an absolutely DELICIOUS addition to a classic grilled cheese and tomato sammy…

i’ve kinda been on a sandwich kick lately… and this is one of my favourites!!!  … and one which i couldn’t WAIT to make once i purchased my ramps from whole foods market…

i chose to use a simple rustic boule and basic sharp cheddar cheese….

begin by chopping off the bottom portion of your “ramps” – basically just roots…

rinse well and then cut away the green “leaves” and set aside…

then dice the remaining stalks…

saute on medium heat with a couple tablespoons of your favourite {organic} butter…

meanwhile, create a few slices of cheese and tomato…

lay a slice of bread in the pan and pile up your cheese, tomato, and reserved ramp leaves… heat until the cheese begins to melt, then add another slice of bread on top and flip it over for a few minutes…

you’re totally salivating now, right?!

let me tell you – this sandwich is INCREDIBLE!!!!!

and rather pretty, wouldn’t you say?!

Tags: baby leeks, cooking, easy, eating, food, food is cool, produce, ramps, recipes, sammys, sandwiches, seasonal, seasonal produce, simple, specialty produce, spring, vegetarian