The heat wave continues! I’m going to keep the kitchen cool with a couple of Spanish style sandwiches called bocadillos.
When you want a sandwich in Spain, you’ll probably be given a bocadillo instead of the familiar sliced bread version. Bocadillos differ in size and shape depending on the type of bread used, but they’re usually served on a crusty roll that looks like a baguette. They range from 4 to 6 inches long and are eaten as snacks or bar food. They’re delicious when washed down with an ice cold beer or other beverage and hit the spot when you’re peckish but not ready for a full meal.
Here we have examples of bocadillos we’ve enjoyed recently and recreated at home. The first is a mild white cheese that’s been arranged over some arugula and then drizzled with honey. We used a product called Queso de Burgos which is similar to a farmer’s cheese. Mozzarella would be fantastic, but it’s even better if you have goat cheese. The stronger flavor goes well with the sweetness of the honey.
The other bocadillo is made with cecina, tomato and sweet pickle. Cecina is similar to jamón, but made with beef. This particular cecina comes from León which is famous for its cured meats. In the US you’d look for air dried beef; and if you’re on the East Coast look for Knauss Foods brand. This is an amazing sandwich, the pickle just sets the tone for the whole thing. Definitely try it with the dried beef, but it’s equally good with a nice slice of ham.
These particular bocadillos were made with a crusty baguette shaped loaf that’s about 10 inches long and thin enough that I can close my hand around it. They were cut in half for the photo and then cut again for serving. This type of bread is perfect for a flat filling that’s unlikely to squish out the sides. I chose a softer bread for the veggie fillings we made earlier this week.
Ingredients
- Crusty baguette style rolls 10 inches or shorter
- Honey
- Arugula
- Fresh cheese like mozzarella or goat cheese cut into discs
- Dried beef cecina thinly sliced
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sandwich style bread and butter pickles or other sweet pickle that's thinly sliced
- Mayonnaise mustard or olive oil
Instructions
- Slice the rolls in half the long way like a sub roll.
- For the cheese bocadillos drizzle honey on the bottom piece of bread, then arrange the arugula and sliced cheese on top. Drizzle with more honey. Top with the other piece of bread.
- For the cecina and tomato bocadillo spread both pieces of bread with mayonnaise, then top with the cecina and tomato slices and arrange the sliced pickle over all. Top with the other piece of bread.
- Cut the bocadillos into three or four pieces as desired.
What fillings would you use in your bocadillos?
Thanks Lydia as I had never heard of the name of these sandwiches before! Your photo make me hungry and I just ate! 🙂
This sandwich looks fantastic. I just love one when it’s made with a fresh crusty baguette.
Delicious sandwich exactly as I like it!
This looks like the perfect for to pack for a picnic or a road trip. The possibilities in terms of fillings are endless! This is perfect because my husband and I have our first road trip since our baby was born (first trip without her anyway!). Thanks for sharing!
Here’s to good food and safe travels 🙂
Dried beef? Now I’m intrigued. Love the idea of a bit of sweetness too’
I hope you’re able to find some really good quality dried beef, but if not your favorite cured ham will work, too. Thanks!
Omg this looks absolutely amazing!!!! So want one right about now. Yummy!
What a great summer treat! Don’t need to turn on the oven and get to eat some delicious win/win. I have never heard of this type of break, but I love crusty type breads so this would be right up my alley!
Perfect sandwich for our family right now. It looks so good! And we are also searching for recipes that won’t heat up the kitchen. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe!
Those sandwiches look so good. I love that little touch of honey.
I think it makes the sandwich 🙂
I love all these sandwich ideas. Perfect for the dog days of summer when cooking is torture! These look amazing!
Can you imagine cooking over a fire in the summer?
I love the idea of adding some sweet honey for flavor on these sandwiches. Nice contrast with the spicy arugula! I’ll be giving this a try with a cold beer 🙂
A cold beer would be great with these 🙂
These look like a great summer lunch!
They were delicious and I really enjoy the variety.