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RECIPES

BABY

COOKBOOK

turkey & avocado sandwich (the b2 noob special)

March 1, 2017

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Hello, all! This is Bowl Number 2/B2/Andy subbing in for Cynthia this week. I’m stepping out from my usual role on the blog, i.e. part-time hand model and taste tester, to pitch in a quick guest post. Between Cynthia’s work as a lawyer, blogger, cookbooker, wife, and mommy, she doesn’t get a lot of time off, so I figured I’d give her time to sneak in a nap this week. So here we go!

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

The bowl household has really settled into a regular rhythm after four months, now that we have started to figure out the mysterious, tiny potato that is B3. He enjoys cooing, bouncing in his baby bjorn, resting his lumpy cheeks on mama’s shoulder, and Korean nursery songs. He does not like sleeping between 11 pm and 2 am, being ignored when he has something to say, or, despite what newborn/infant wisdom would have us believe, being swaddled or restrained in any way (I have seen him punch his pudgy arms out of straitjacket-like swaddles with both remarkable ease and impressive fury–much to the dismay of veteran nurses who think they have trapped him).

B3 is, in many ways, the bowl house’s cult leader. He has reprogrammed us through sleep-deprivation and sheer charisma, and I am pretty sure B1 and I might kill on his behalf with the right trigger word. In sum, our world revolves around this tiny potato man.

Along with this new focus on chubby cheeks and tiny toes, though, have come a few challenges. There’s a lot more to juggle, and only so much we can do in our semi-conscious, sleep-deprived states. In other words, B1 and I are still figuring out how efficiently to divide the labor and each pull our own weight. B1 is doing a titanic amount of work, and I am figuring out how best to help out.

One area where I have never been a great help is the kitchen. I have a second-grader’s understanding of food. I’m an uncoordinated oaf with a knife. And fire makes me nervous. But, my lack of cooking skills aside, there is at least one thing I know that I can make when Cynthia is exhausted, that requires little-to-no-talent and is almost noteworthy for its complete lack of noteworthiness—a turkey and avocado sandwich.

This sandwich came from a summer of isolation in Denver, when I was working as a legal intern after our first year of law school. I was single then and hadn’t started dating B1. I remember thinking, at the time, that I was going to live in isolation like that for the foreseeable future, just beers, video games, and these daily turkey and avocado sandwiches. And yet, despite such well-laid plans, a few years later, I found myself making that sandwich for the first time, on a whim, for my wife, who was pregnant with our first child (?!). Something I didn’t even have the capacity to dream of when I was in Denver.

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

I don’t know whether it was the pregnancy hormones or the novelty of me stumbling through the kitchen, but B1 took the utmost delight in me putting the sandwich together. And each time I make it now, she (entirely for my benefit, I’m sure) acts as if this were the first sandwich ever gifted to man by God himself.

At the end of the day, though. It is just a sandwich, and very much a kitchen noob sandwich at that. Two slices of bread, veggies, and some condiments. No impressive twists or turns or fusiony magic. Maybe a baguette with some toasted bread if you’re feeling fancy, like the artisanal eatery, Subway.

But this is one of the few tangible things I can contribute in the kitchen, when Cynthia is tired and we don’t want to order. It is, what I imagine what we will make B3 and B(X) and B(X+1) and B(X+n) when mommy is working, and those poor little bastards are stuck with dad making meals (so many apologies in advance).

Between that and Shin Ramyun, I think we have a good start, but I’ve still got a long, long way to go. Lucky for me, B1 is the best teacher a second red bowl could ask for.

P.S. I took great delight in referring to Cynthia as “B1.” She found it odd, because she, of course, always goes by Cynthia. But if I’m B2, and Luke is B3, she has got to be B1. Besides, it makes me laugh because it reminds me of the TV show “Bananas in Pyjamas.” If you’re not familiar, I leave you with this rational, completely understandable Wikipedia summary:

The main characters are two anthropomorphic bananas named B1 and B2. Other characters include the three teddy bears Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Rat in a Hat. The bananas, the teddies and Rat in a Hat all live in the same neighbourhood, a cul-de-sac called “Cuddles Avenue”. The bananas live next to the beach and serve as beach patrol. The teddies live next to and look after the park. Rat in a Hat works and lives at the community store. The characters enjoy eating “munchy honeycakes” and “yellow jelly”.

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

turkey & avocado sandwich (a b2 post!) | two red bowls

Print

Turkey & avocado sandwich

Print Recipe

makes 2 sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 slices of your favorite bread or 2 baguettes, sliced in half
  • 6–8 oz deli sliced turkey
  • 1/2 avocado, discard wingless Snitch nut inside
  • 3–4 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1–2 tablespoons mustard, preferably honey mustard because honey mustard
  • 3–4 thin slices onion or diced finely in little squares, McDonald’s cheeseburger style
  • 1/2 small tomato, sliced, minus drippings
  • infinite pickles
  • 4–6 iceberg lettuce leaves, crunchy, more white than green, not nutritious

Instructions

  1. If you like, toast the bread. When we’re feeling really fancy, we use French bread, sliced in half and placed under the broiler for 30 seconds to a minute.
  2. If serving to a pregnant wife, microwave the turkey for about 30 seconds, or put it into the broiler with the bread until steaming.
  3. Place bread on sandwich-constructing surface.
  4. Spread avocado on one slice, and mayonnaise on the other slice.
  5. Decide which bread is the bottom bread. Put the turkey on the bottom bread. (Note: I failed to do this in the photos above, and it keeps me up at night. Be sure to put meat at the bottom or chaos will reign.)
  6. Shake mustard bottle to prevent mustard water spill, then apply mustard on top of turkey meat.
  7. Next place sliced tomato, onion, and pickles. Distribute evenly. Beware tomato drip.
  8. Next place iceberg lettuce leaves.
  9. Finally, crown the sandwich with top bread slice.
  10. Press down firmly until sandwich is within maximum mouthspan. Maximum mouthspan may be measured by holding finger up to mouth and measuring on finger the length between top and bottom teeth. You can then hold that finger measurement up against the sandwich to be eaten. It won’t help you eat the sandwich in any way, but it will give you the illusion of control.
  11. Eat it.

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view more: dinner· lunch· spring· summer

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  1. erika

    March 1, 2017 at 7:57 am

    LOLLL THIS POST IS AMAZING. Yay B1!!!!!! I especially loved the recipe directions. I scrolled back up to look at the turkey not being on the bottom bun. You and Cynthia sound like such a great pair–LOVED the backstory behind this sandwich and the videos of B3 omg 😍😍

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Thanks, Erika! Videos of B3 are my favorite too, but I’m probably biased. May your future sandwiches have turkey at the bottom.

      Reply
  2. Sarah@WellDined

    March 1, 2017 at 8:05 am

    Oh my gosh, you are hilarious! I love your writing, the instructions, and posing your Sammie with B3 – too cute! Congrats!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 10:45 am

      Oh man, thanks for the kind comment! Cynthia is actually my witter, better half, but nice of you to say so! And I agree, B3 has a promising career as a future sandwich model. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  3. Courtney | fork to belly

    March 1, 2017 at 9:37 am

    That gif OH MY GOD. This entire post is the cutest thing in the world. HI B2!!!!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 10:46 am

      Thanks! Fellow Punahou grad(?) And hello!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous

    March 1, 2017 at 10:19 am

    Good job Andrew!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 10:49 am

      Thanks Mom! Or Dad? Or Aunt Maryanne? My money is on one of those.

      Reply
  5. Stacy | Keeping Willow

    March 1, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Well done! Also, making a great sandwich is an art!!! You are an artist.
    Looks like B3 is your stand in hand model!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      Wow, that may be the nicest compliment my sandwich-making has ever gotten. I’m not sure I’ve graduated from journeyman to master sandwich artist yet, but I agree it’s a real craft. What do you think, Cynthia, “B2 Dreams of Sandwich” documentary?

      Reply
      • Stacy | Pop Kitchen

        March 2, 2017 at 6:22 am

        Haha! It’s never too late to follow your dreams!

        Reply
  6. Eve

    March 1, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Oh, my God, that video of your baby laughing is just the cutest thing ever. I also had a baby who did not like being restrained and really, really hated Baby Bjorns and anything else claustrophobic like that. It is OK. Eventually he’ll be big enough for a stroller.

    Also, even though I like cooking, I would be delighted if my husband ever made me such a beautiful sandwich. I like sandwiches. If I ask him for a sandwich, he just buys Subway. So you are doing pretty well.

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 1:26 pm

      Glad to hear B3 isn’t the only one who refuses to be restrained! It’s so funny how strong their preferences can be at such a young age. We wonder how much of that is going to manifest in his personality later (expecting him to be quite the handful once he gets mobile). And Subway is pretty hard to beat imho, so that’s high praise. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  7. Marianne

    March 1, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    I’ll have to show this to my daughter in law. My little gandaughter Sloane is almost 3 months is making up for not sleeping at night with smiles and giggles👶🏻

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      B3’s only just started with the laughing recently, but you’re right, the smiles and giggles definitely help make up for the sleepless hours. Congrats to you, your daughter-in-law, and granddaughter closing in on the 3 month mark!

      Reply
  8. bella

    March 1, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    Loved everything about this! Its so great to hear from Cynthia’s other half! I smiled so much my cheeks hurt!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 1, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it! It’s what we do it for. The smiles, I mean, not hurting people’s cheeks. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  9. Edlyn

    March 1, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    You and B1 are the perfect fit for each other and I’m taking this not from the turkey sandwich but from your sense of humor? Humors? Regardless, turkey and avocado is my favourite lunch sandwich and it’s so super nice of you to take over the blog and make this for B1. Hi Cynthia! Your baby is effing ADORABLE. Next please make a B3 sandwich because I’m pretty sure those cheeks are edible.

    Reply
    • B2

      March 15, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      Those puffy cheeks are indeed hard to resist. And thanks, I think our sense of humor(s) gel well too. I hope to reach a point where B1 and I just sit on the couch and make each other laugh telepathically like weirdos. I think we’re close.

      Reply
  10. Amanda | What's Cooking

    March 1, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    I love this post! That last photo is JUST!! Nice to meet B2. Funny how you have no expectations of life events and then they just happen and you go with it. It’s cool to hear your perspective. Glad you’ve reached a routine. Best to all of you!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 15, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      Nice to meet you too, and thanks very much!

      Reply
  11. Linda

    March 1, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    Loved every bit of this from the back story to the videos, pics, and recipe to bananas in pajamas. Well done B2! Hope this was as much fun for you as it’s been for us to read. Line up your next recipe & guest appearance. 🙂

    Reply
    • B2

      March 15, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      I will admit, it was a lot of fun! And a lot harder than Cynthia makes it look (and it already looked hard). No future appearances lined up, but I will have my people talk to B1’s people. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  12. movita beaucoup

    March 2, 2017 at 5:09 am

    And the Best Supporting Actor Award goes to…

    (Delightful!)

    Reply
    • B2

      March 15, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      La La Lan–I mean Moonlight. (Thanks!)

      Reply
  13. Chelsea | The Whole Bite

    March 2, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    I love this so much! Smiling so hard as I was reading it 🙂 You guys are one seriously adorable family 🙂

    Reply
    • B2

      March 15, 2017 at 3:14 pm

      Ah man, that’s really nice of you to say, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  14. Linda

    March 2, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    This is such a sweet post, B2! Love it!!

    Reply
    • B2

      March 16, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      Oh I don’t know about that, but thanks for saying so! And thanks for reading!

      Reply
  15. Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land

    March 2, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    Hehe! Oh this was awesome. Cynthia = B1 = hilarious! The creators of Bananas in Pyjamas were clearly on an acid trip on top of a mushroom trip. That is insanity in the best way.

    Reply
    • B2

      March 16, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Yeah, when I look back on the show now it really does seem like they were high on something. Even as a kid it was very…odd. And hi! It’s Lyndsay from Coco Cake Land, wow! Cynthia talks about “Lyndsay from Coco Cake Land” and Teddy all the time (a normal amount, not a creepy amount or anything). Nice to finally say hello!

      Reply
  16. almost properly

    March 3, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Sandwiches are the name of the game!! LOVE IT. And anything else with avo for that matter;)

    Reply
  17. Gabrielle

    March 4, 2017 at 11:23 am

    So sweet of you to step in and so nice to hear from you! The sandwich looks delish.

    Reply
  18. Katie

    March 4, 2017 at 11:40 am

    This is hilarious. I love the very specific directions like “Shake mustard bottle to prevent mustard water spill.” It’s so true! Also, the picture of B3 with the giant sandwich half is the best thing I’ve seen all week.

    Andy, thanks for stepping in for Cynthia! She’s a fortunate lady 🙂

    Reply
  19. Sara @ Cake Over Steak

    March 7, 2017 at 6:26 am

    Hahaha this is great! That little baby nugget is so darn cute. Maybe one day I’ll have Robert do a guest post on my blog. 😉

    Reply
  20. Lindsay

    March 7, 2017 at 11:25 am

    I love your writing and am always happy to see what’s new here. This sandwich combination is one of my favorites!! Such a good reminder to make myself a treat at lunchtime 🙂

    Reply
  21. Supriya Kutty

    March 9, 2017 at 2:02 am

    Wow.. Amazing Recipe.. Keep going.

    Reply
  22. Ellie | from scratch, mostly

    March 11, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Ahhh by the looks of it, you’re doing an amazing job B2!!!!!!! And that GIF is awesome. Pudgy glory everywhere, indeed! I loved reading from you because A–you’re pretty funny, and B–I’m so curious if you’re a lot Korean in your customs and ways of life? You even talk about gom-sae-ma-ree, and that my friend, is being Korean at its finest. ;)))

    Reply
  23. billmacblog

    March 22, 2017 at 10:11 am

    well done B2 – As the father of five, I can relate- ” When’s Mom gonna cook” was a comment I received after a try at spaghetti- keep it up and get the baby to LOVE sandwiches!!

    Reply
  24. dojuma

    June 13, 2017 at 12:02 am

    these post are so good leave alone the recipe guideline so good.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Cynthia

An avid eater and dabbling food-maker living in California with my husband, “Bowl #2,” and our baby bowls, Luke, Clara, and Fiona.

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