I am so excited about this feature on the site. I am inviting writers I adore to do guest posts on this humble site and my first guest is the charming, beautiful and talented Charmian Christie.
I asked Charmian to send me her favorite sandwich recipe and here are the mouthwatering results —
Charmian says — 
When my blog poll [http://christie-corner.blogspot.com/2008/08/and-winner-is.html] closed this weekend, my readers crowned Italian fare the King of Cuisine. So when Monica asked me to blog about sandwiches, visions of Italian panini danced in my head.
To be honest, the poll provided much needed inspiration. I’m not a sandwich fan and the thought of salty deli meats, mayonnaise soaked tuna flakes or pasty egg salad shoved into white bread makes me shudder. But slip fresh grilled veggies between a chewy Italian loaf and grill? I’m back in a Florentine piazza under a Mediterranean sky fighting off the pigeons.
This is simply a combination of my favorite Italian ingredients. It’s not fancy, but it satisfies my palate and eases my wanderlust.
Portobello Mushroom, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Panini
Makes 2
2 portobello mushroom caps, about 3-4" diameter, grilled
1 red pepper, roasted
2 tsp aged balsamic vinegar
fresh basil leaves, whole
1/4 cup goat cheese (chevre is great)
2 pieces fresh Focaccia bread, cut to just larger than the grilled mushroom cap
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper
Grill mushrooms and roast red pepper either on a barbecue under a broiler.
When the peppers have cooled enough to handle, heat a panini press or indoor lidded grill.
Split Focaccia bread, brush with olive oil.
Place one mushroom, gill side up, on the bottom half of each piece of bread. Drizzle the gills with aged balsamic vinegar.
Remove seeds and skin from the red pepper. Cut a piece big enough to cover the mushroom and place on top.
Cover red pepper with a single layer of fresh basil leaves.
Spread goat cheese onto the inside of the Focaccia’s top layer.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place tops on sandwich, brush with olive oil and grill for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is golden.
Manga!
