When I discovered Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine, a wonderful cheese shop / sandwich shop near where I was working recently in Chicago’s Loop, I was ecstatic! I’d been searching for a great source for my favorite serrano ham and manchego cheese for awhile to make a really special treat. We enjoyed it today for lunch. A hefty price tag at $27 for a 1/4lb of ham and a hunk of absolutely breathtaking Rosemary Manchego, but luckily thanks to the FoodSaver (and the wonderful staying power of well-aged ham), this will last for another special meal as well! We also picked up a loaf of fresh ciabatta bread from Panera, where we learned my husband’s old college roommate is now a baker (small world!).

QUICK TIP: Don’t be afraid to treat yourself to excellent but expensive Artisan cheeses. Save the leftovers in a FoodSaver bag and it’ll be good for at least 6 months if sealed properly! It’s always a worthwhile luxury!

The tomato spread was made using a recipe I found on Sass & Veracity, a favorite food blog. I eyeballed it mostly, using the last of my delicious orange tomatoes (oh, how I will miss these!), four small cloves of garlic, a couple tablespoons of Spanish olive oil and some French Grey Sea Salt. We spread this on the slices of ciabatta (which I prefer to the hard crusts of artisanal french bread), topped it off with a slice of cheese and a slice of ham for a luxurious light lunch.