Over the last five years I’ve grown some great crops in my three-style garden. I have my raised beds, all five of them, four Earth Boxes, and a strip of dirt along the fence that separates our neighbors driveway and ours. It’s the raised beds that jump into action first into the new growing season and the crop is mostly greens. I usually plant 8-12 kinds of greens and they do well in the cooler spring weather in planting zone 7 where I live. With an abundance of Arugula last year the AAA Grilled Cheese Sandwich was born.

A basket of greens from last year’s crop.

Once the greens get going I have more than my wife and I can eat so I give away plenty. I also look to use them in new ways. When salads weren’t enough to use up the Arugula I started piling it on sandwiches bursting with green goodness. While the AAA Grilled Cheese Sandwich is no low-fat sandwich, I find it a great lunch item to have once or twice during the few short weeks my Arugula crop is putting forth gobs of great greens. Arugula is full of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. So whatever the fat content of this sandwich is would be offset, somewhat, by the health benefits of Arugula.

A raised bed with Arugula and other greens from last year

It’s simple as can be to make with just five ingredients, Arugula, avocado, Asiago cheese, oil or butter for the grilling, and whatever your favorite bread is. Just follow this easy recipe and enjoy one of the best greens out there.

2 slices of sandwich bread for each sandwich

2 teaspoons olive oil or butter for each sandwich

2 slices Asiago, or your favorite cheese

½ sliced avocado for each sandwich

1 handful of arugula for each sandwich

Brush olive oil on one side of each slice of bread and cook, oil side down with cheese on top, on medium heat in a cast iron skillet, or similar frying pan. In 3 minutes rotate bread 180 degrees to achieve even browning and cook for 3-4 minutes or until nicely browned.

Top with arugula and avocado, close it up and cut in half if desired before gobbling it up like it was the best sandwich ever!

Note: If you toss the arugula in a bowl with a bit of Italian Dressing, before piling it on the sandwich, it packs even more flavor.

A slice or two of fresh tomato would be great with this sandwich. Problem is they have distinctly different growing seasons and are usually not available at the same time in home gardens.

One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever