The BEST Roast Beef Sandwich

Something about Springtime really has me craving sandwiches. Why, sandwiches? Well, after the lull of the late Winter when there isn’t much going on around the farm, Springtime brings a flurry of activities made possible by longer days and warmer weather. Sandwiches are the original grab and go meal for when sitting down for lunch just isn’t an option. The HIH Roast Beef Sandwich is so much more than your standard roast beef sandwich. Contrasting, but complimentary flavors and textures turn a simple lunch into a special treat!

I know when you see that I’ve put Granny Smith apples on a sandwich you might think I’ve lost my mind. If you’ve been following HIH for very long, you know I love a surprise ingredient to elevate a dish we already know and love, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise for my faithful followers! Trust me, the apples make the sandwich.

The sandwich which inspired this roast beef sandwich is on the menu at my favorite après ski spot in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the T Bar. It’s a trailer just off the resort with absolutely incredible food. Mustard greens, house roasted beef with jus, apples, pickled red onions, and boursin cheese make up their delightful version. I’d have to drive hours to acquire mustard greens unless my green thumb started to work and I grew my own. It’s also a 10 hour drive to Steamboat, so creating my own version is the only way to quench the craving.

HIH vs. T Bar

The key to this sandwich, for me, is the Granny Smith apples. Their tart flavor and crisp texture make for delectable contrast to the other ingredients, so I built the HIH version around the apples.

I had to make a tough choice, next. Do I go all the way and make my own roast beef with jus, or would deli meat do the trick? Since we’re gearing up for a busy planting season, quick and easy is the name of the game, so the deli counter got the call. Freshly sliced deli meat beats the heck out of the sodium and water filled prepackaged stuff. I highly recommend stepping up to the deli counter.

I couldn’t find mustard greens within 2 hours of the farm, so I had to find a suitable replacement. Arugula was the winner. Peppery arugula can be a bit hard to find. I’ve only found one store within a reasonable distance which carries it consistently. Spinach would also be great if you can’t find arugula. Also, if I find mustard greens while I’m in the city, you know I’m buying them and making this sammy.

Finally, the special sauce came to be! Boursin cheese is a PAIN to spread, so to get some of the mustard vibes back to the table from leaving out the mustard greens. I mixed the Boursin cheese with the mustard and it spread like a dream! It’s also DELICIOUS.

Wrapped up in toasty, nutty whole wheat bread, this roast beef sandwich has a delightful variety of flavors and textures. A real treat for anyone needing to grab and go. Heck, this sandwich is so pretty, you could serve it next to the HIH Roasted Asparagus Soup for company or a light soup and sandwich Easter lunch!

What the heck is Boursin Cheese?

I grew up on Boursin cheese, so it’s not foreign to me. I’d spread it on crackers and veggies…or just by the spoonful if my Mother wasn’t looking. I have learned not everyone grew up eating this yummy spread, so here’s the skinny. Boursin cheese can be found in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. The most common is the garlic and fine herb, but you may see other varieties as well.

But, what is it? Boursin is actually a brand of Gournay cheese. A soft, spreadable, pasteurized cows milk cheese originating in the Gournay commune of France. In simpler terms, it’s a fancy French cream cheese. I’m not kidding when I say I used to eat it by the spoonful as a kid. It’s really yummy. If you can’t find Boursin cheese, a garlic herb cream cheese will substitute great.