Day 280: Watercress Sandwiches with Chili-Lime Butter ♥

When the ad writers prevail upon us to take a 'bite out of life', maybe they really mean to make a watercress sandwich?

Watercress greens are just so fresh, so full of pepper -- and just taste alive. And a whole cup's worth has virtually no calories, no carbs (setting aside today's sandwich bread) and is full of those life-breathing antioxidants.

All that said, what MADE this sandwich is the chili lime butter. It added real panache to the sandwich. Over the next few days, I suspect, it'll do the same with otherwise simple steamed broccoli and green beans and ... and ...

And because the butter is spiked with flavor, only a very little is needed.


2008 Update: This sandwich is a winner!






WATERCRESS SANDWICHES with CHILI LIME BUTTER
Hands-on time: 10 minutes for the butter, estimated 10 minutes for four sandwiches
Time to table: 20 minutes
Serves 4 or more

CHILI LIME BUTTER
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 a large jalapeño, minced fine
Zest and juice from a lime
Salt and pepper to taste (I skipped both)

Stir together the ingredients. Makes 4 tablespoons.

WATERCRESS SANDWICHES
4 or 8 slices whole grain bread
8 ounces fresh watercress, coarse stems removed

Spread a very thin layer of chili-lime butter on the bread. Top with watercress.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Chili-Lime Butter, Per Teaspoon: 34 Cal (97% from Fat, 1% from Protein, 2% from Carb); 0 g Protein; 4 g Tot Fat; 2 g Sat Fat; 0 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; NetCarb0; 2 mg Calcium; 0 mg Iron; 1 mg Sodium; 10 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 1 point

Rough Estimate Per Sandwich, assuming a teaspoon of chili-lime butter on whole grain bread: 121 Cal (36% from Fat, 14% from Protein, 50% from Carb); 5 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 3 g Sat Fat; 16 g Carb; 2 g Fiber; NetCarb 14; 99 mg Calcium; 1 mg Iron; 180 mg Sodium; 10 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 2 points

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE
Adapted from Bon Appetit June 2002

(c) Copyright 2006 Kitchen Parade